Does the global economy depend on American consumerism?

[Temprano26]

Winston wrote something about how corporations want to limit your relationships and spiritual fulfillment so that you are a consumer that goes out shopping every week. So let us say hypothetically that Americans have an awakening one day, stop consuming and instead find their happiness in connecting with the people next to them. Would the global economy collapse on itself thereby making mindless consumerism a necessary evil?

Living in the Dallas suburbs there is not much else to do except work, eat out at restaurants and buy things. There have been times I have bought things that I know logically that I can do without but I bought them anyway because of a gnawing feeling of boredom. Video games are something to keep us entertained for a few days but nothing much more than that. It is electronic cotton candy.

When I was in Costa Rica I bought gifts because I had friends in Costa Rica and I valued relationships. I wasn't trying to fill this empty space in me by consuming. Does anyone else feel you would consume less if you had a lot of love in your life?

[Devil Dog]

I agree with your observations. Save some money, get yourself debt-free and you will be ready for some degree of collapse, in case that happens. If there is no collapse, no problem. You still have a sleek and relaxed lifestyle and you have kicked the habit of mindless consumerism.

[Wolfeye]

Something I've noticed is that people sometimes act like the economy is a life hanging in the balance. These businesses are supposed to be in support of the flesh & blood people, not being parasitically sustained by them. It adds a corrosive element to circumstances & is effectively like an anchor that feels a sense of self-preservation while it drags people down. Ever hear the term "feeding the beast that killed me"? That's what this works the same way. These companies are worried about not experiencing a loss & the people are acceptable collateral damage.

Something I wonder: Why is it that anyone sees the people that make up the command structure of these companies or their protectors as innocent in any way? Then again, maybe they don't.

[innovatorsclub]

This $100 smart phone I bought for $100..yes frugal is good since the $400 savings will go towards $3 dinner dates in Asia.. has a radio station button so when I flip the channels I can't escape the pathetic commercials.. They are all about consuming.. Buy these floors and that carpet as the sucker husband gets excited about them.. Buy cars..buy solar then "this new shopping app from Google " you can buy everything you normally would w/o having to leave home"....then they hype the REO speedwagon concert..band from 35 years ago

America is all about consuming

and eating..the reason Americans are the fattest is partly about that bad food but mostly because they are all bored of their dull existance driving down the same roads going to the same strip mall shops and fitting in ..in line at starbucks..and eating is the only pleasures they are getting..watching sports is also a big waste of time

America is so freakin overrated

[Contrarian Expatriate]

Consumerism, in general, fuels the global economy, not just American consumerism.

Now having said that, if American stopped hyper-consuming, the global economy would plummet into depression. That is the reason the FED pumps cheap dollars into the system so we can continue to cheaply purchase our way forward. At the same time, we are purchasing ourselves into obesity, debt, and poor mental health.

[Temprano26]

Innovators, I can agree with you on everything except sports as I am a pretty serious basketball lover. I am not fond of the Dallas area but I can say that in 2011 when the Dallas Mavericks won the championship that was the most unified I have ever seen people. I was giving high fives to everybody in sight and everyone was jubilant.

But that was it. After the high wore off the Mavericks started sucking again and we went back to working, consuming and ignoring everyone else. I have also found when I go to Mavs games people are generally nicer and want to have a good time.

People in Costa Rica treat soccer as a religion and that brings people together too.

[Moretorque]

America served it's purpose in developing most of these modern marvels, as soon as the PETRO $ is dismantled and completely debased America is pretty much gone as a nation.

The only real card at that point we have is the big stick.

[Temprano26]

What big stick?