Materialism in Modern Society
Materialism in modern society is at an all-time high. It is a distraction that we should not give the satisfaction of controlling us as an individual. In one way or another, we are all materialistic.
We enjoy material things in our daily lives that we simply could not get by with. In moderation, there’s nothing wrong with that as long as it does not manifest into authoritating our actions. Materialism works as a distraction in which we focus our attention and our energies into attainable items. Material is an adjective that means touchable, real, physical or tangible. When one is focused on materialism, there’s much time and energy spent apart from our intellectual and spiritual selves. Individuals that pursue materialism may acquire wealth and physical items but may be miserably empty inside.
Materialism in A Christmas Carol
A great example of this was given to us by author Charles Dickens, in the character of Ebenezer Scrooge in a Christmas Carol. He illustrated the many problems with materialism. Growing up Scrooge was treated poorly by his family which in turn led him to look to money as a form of security and something he could trust. His love and desire for money let him to lose the woman he loved and began to lead a lonely, bitter existence as his life became merely a quest for more and more material wealth.
Spirits in the story represent how one could be happy without the benefit of material wealth. This lead him to see his faulty way of thinking and how miserable he became by focusing on materialism and never on the cultivation of relationships or spiritual growth.
Materialism vs Emotions and Spiritual Means
Many individuals should grasp this concept because when all else fails and materialistic items are lost, one is left with personal emotions and spiritual means. Materialism can also lead to the division of social groups and brainwashing of society through expert marketing, model changes and the notion of “fitting in.” Everyone wants to find their niche in life but sometimes it is only attainable through physical means. This is where we as a society should realize our differences and make the change by accepting education and refusing conformity. I, personally enjoy nice clothing items, money in my pocket and nice shoes but I am not controlled by these expenditures. I am also an individual who isn’t concerned with fitting in and having the nicest, newest models in technology or fashion.
Materialism in Business
The sooner we understand materialism and prevent it from controlling us, we can become our own unique self in society. Many current businesses hire expert marketing personnel to advertise to the public on what we should dress like, look like, have in our homes or drive every day. This creates the notion of “fitting in.” Everyone wants to belong and feel secure but when these situations consume our lifestyles, we no longer have a true, original identity. Expert marketers change models yearly to produce income and provide individuals with a new materialistic idea. This is unfair in many aspects. We are brainwashed as a population, further divided into social groups; lower-class, middle-class and upper class and demonized to conformity. As intellectuals in society, we should recognize and embrace our differences and make the change against materialism in society by accepting education from reliable and resourceful outlets and standing up against conformity.
Being Proactive and Unique
According to Stephen Covey, Seven Habits, being proactive in your life produces a product of your values. Each individual should take responsibility for your response to specific events and your decisions implemented upon them. We as individuals should have concrete morals so that we can inhibit being pandered to materialistic subjects. Stephen Covey then addresses his second habit by having the end in mind. One should have a mental image of the end goal with a mission and purpose. Our mission should be different from normality and we should have the motivation to become unique individuals in society instead of being just like everyone else. It can be tough stepping out of one’s comfort zone to be different. We may deal with push back but with strength and education, one can rebuke the received attacks and slander. We may make a difference by correcting communication, minimizing the use of technology and rearranging our priorities.
An image of influence we can use from Elie Wiesel’s speech, The Perils of Indifference, is understanding others. We can then tie it to habit six, of Stephen Covey‘s habits, by synergizing in our society to harmonize peace. One can peacefully step out in society against conformity to prove they would like to make a difference in society. When individuals grasp this notion, they begin to branch out and become their own unique self as well.
