I agree completely, but I would also say that it's quite easy to know how materialistic someone is by looking the frequency and quantity of material goods bought in relation to their necessity.
+mephistopheles the silent chief Indeed. Or if they are rich enough, buying a lot of unnecessary things when they have all the necessary (materialistically speaking).
If a billionaire only bought what is necessary, 95% of his fortune would go to waste. The poor and middle class wouldn't know how to enjoy a billion dollars anyway, but complain about not being rich.
Alexandre Hosokawa shouldn't humans be wise and organized enough to know we are more than what we purchase? afterall, we're here for such a miniscule amount of time; our individual existence is but a speck in history. our objects might last longer than us tho, sadly enough, especially when they're made of Non-Biodegradable materials like ~plastic. No matter if you recycle religiously like my family, and let's be honest we know most people in the world do NOT do it diligently, the material takes a long time well beyond our lifetimes to break down. We're collectively, effectively suffocating the planet w our purchasing choices. Plastic is a common shared product we contribute to harm of species and destruction of ecosystems. World leaders worry about economics to remain powerful but all that is shortsighted. This is related bc the point of materialism is the culture of buying, and that practice is encouraged to raise economics, government wealth via taxes. None of that matters if we're killing our planet. Many of us want humanity to progress and that doesn't equate to constantly buying crap. It comes in the form of supporting the arts, sciences and protecting the environment. Sports/exercise and eating habits are probably the only binding activities we can share in common to remain healthy and entertained without having to be exactly alike and requires us to on occasion buy stuff to support said activities. but it's the activities that lead us to buy not the item itself, which materialism implies. at least that's my take on materialism. when people purchase as a status symbol that attitude is pretty petty.
Very interesting comment. I wrote it down to give it more thought. I buy very little but things come to me in abundance without trying. I gather it all up and then I do a purge to goodwill, etc. I do believe in abundance, my concept, and stuff comes to me all by itself. Thanks.
One of my Dad's regular sayings was always "The more possessions you have, the more you're possessed." I used to have a lot of great things, but I've lost most of them to fire and theft. I like being a minimalist now, It's much easier and so much better for your Soul.
Hmm yes. I spend most of my time on computers, playstation, car, and stuff I own, but I never really do things without them. I think I was happier as a kid when I didn't own anything but the world was my playground. Now I work to pay for the stuff I own but it owns me instead.
Matt Yeah, I'm no real minimalist by any means, I still have a TV, PS4, car, phone, etc. but I don't buy anything I don't need anymore. I also had a lot of severe depression growing up. I have less now than I've ever had in my life since I was a teenager and I've never felt better.
+Alexandre Hosokawa The "good economy" mindset is created by us humans. Is it better to have a better economy than a good welfare for the planet? Earth itself does not care about how much our economy gain through consumerism. Money is man made. The planet is not.
Michael Björk But how do we provide welfare without resources? Or labor? When people stop consuming, we have recession and unemployment. So people would have to find another reason to work for others, other than their own self-interest. This sounds very utopian.
+Alexandre Hosokawa If all people lived more minimalist lives, then we have no need for creating so much stuff, which means so much less work to do. In a sane society, this would probably translate to less time working for all, or a guaranteed minimum standard of living, but if the structure of our society didn't change, then perhaps 'recession and unemployment' could be a problem. Increases in technical efficiency and automation pose similar threats to our current system anyway. It would be nice if this were a simple choice for individuals (libertarian ideal), however, when people chose to consume excessively, it has significant negative impact on the lives of everything else that inhabits the earth.
The problem is that many people will talk themselves into a false transubstantiative property in an object which really isn't there. People can justify anything and they aren't honest with themselves. "The new iPhone will help be me more productive." Really? I don't think so.
Kanalratte That is why I raised these rhetorical and indefinite questions, to further show how futile transubstantiation is. It's just a shame that status symbols are often representative of ones hard work.
You've both emphasized the point I was making quite well. I don't really buy into this idea of "good consumerism" based on the concept of transubstantiation. I would argue that the person who bought the watch is distracting himself with the watch and not focusing on their own efforts to become that person they wish to be.
Buying one well-made watch that will last your whole life (or at least a very long time) isn't materialism. Buying a watch that you will replace as soon as a newer more fashionable watch is marketed to you every year for the next 20 years is.
Planned obsolescence is not itself materialism, but it helps foster materialism. "Buying one well-made watch that will last your whole life (or at least a very long time) *IS STILL* materialism." Maybe, but you need _some_ material objects to function in modern society. Perhaps a watch is unnecessary in this day and age, but it's pretty much impossible to find employment if you don't have a phone, some kind of device to access the internet, and a permanent address.
So everyone using material objects to meet their needs and survive are materialists? If so, the term is meaningless, it applies to everyone. Mirriam-Webster's definition: (n) a doctrine that the only or the highest values or objectives lie in material well-being and in the furtherance of material progress
The School of Life always has to bring in religion, specifically Christianity, and make a subtle attempt of making the religion look foolish by using it in an argument about a specific topic. This video could have been an in-depth social critique of why we are too materialistic, that is, what the underlying cause is, and said repercussions of being materialistic not only to ourselves, but for society as a whole. People are materialistic because deep down they have no meaning in their life, and if one has no meaning then one has no purpose, and if one has no purpose it is due to the fact that the person lacks passion. Material objects are a way for a person to momentarily attach themselves to something which gives them the impression that life is good and meaningful, but as soon as some time passes they will begin to feel "not like themselves" and begin to seek more pleasurable acts and continue to live a materialistic life. Materialism is bad on the individual because it makes one a slave to the objects he buys. How can we be happy if we put our happiness in something temporary? Materialism is horrible for a culture because it creates a chain of events that slowly begins to eat away at the culture of a nation, destroys the foundation of its values, and replaces it with selfish materialistic gain.
"Materialism is horrible for a culture" There are a great many things (literal things) in our culture that both are our culture and perpetuate it, such as books, paintings and especially political treaties such as national constitutions or political landmarks (Parliament House or The White House) You'r using the internet so I presume you bought a PC or smartphone to write your comment which gives you a material connection to the wider culture of the world through the web which has created a really strange detached materialism in the form of data files. I'm sure you save pictures off websites and download movies too, giving yourself a copy of something you like without depriving anyone else of that thing is almost like a transcendent materialism I guess. As the video suggests, we should more value material objects for the philosophical ideas they represent than the objects themselves but from a purely pragmatic view an object only has value so long as its serves a useful purpose. TL;DR: Materialism is not always bad; meaning in the world is more nuanced than that. Also dose data fall under the realm of materialism?
Vincent Tenia Vincent Tenia You wrote a lot, but said absolutely nothing of value and failed to even remotely see my point. When I speak of materialism my very implication is the materialism that is perpetuated today such as: clothes, cars, technology, ect. Yes, some basic level of material items are necessary, but only basic. I have a phone to talk to my friends and to research information, that's all I use it for. I don't download movies, or do anything of that sort. Books, paintings, political treatises are definitely material objects (I myself read books), but very few people would abuse these in a materialistic way, unless of course one has a habit for collecting, but even then, it is bad. To collect books for the sole purpose of collecting them because one enjoys them and it makes one feel whole to buy them, not for the information contained within them to grow as an individual, but for the books themselves, then yes, one becomes a slave them. If one starts buying something because it makes them feel whole, makes them feel normal, then that person is a slave to said object.
Vincent Tenia You have this notion that when one critiques materialism and criticizes people for attaching themselves to material items that I am in effect saying that all material items are bad, but I am not saying that and the fact you failed to see that proves you didn't understand my position to begin with. The very definition of materialism is, "A tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values." I am not saying having the basic material items is bad, I am saying to use them for their correct purpose and to not attach oneself to them in such a way that if one is deprived that they won't 'feel right'.
My comment was not intended to reply in entirety to your comment only the portion i saw flaw in "Materialism is horrible for culture" is a direct quote from your comment i took issue with as materialism propagates culture see serialised comic books or see Tolkien's hobbit and lord of the rings. You state a bare minimum of materialism is a necessity but i'd hardly say a smart phone is a bare necessity to survive, its literally a luxury item and if you'r not using yours to its fullest potential; that's your choice and i disagree with you're decision to not use its full capabilities on a philosophical level. An aspect of materialism has built our modern world, and while over consumption poses a serious threat to our future as a species I reject your position that materialism is inherently bad. (that i interpreted from your comment and sorry if that's a misinterpretation) I also still don't know if data can be considered to be under to term materialism.
you're right. we must recognize that the sun won't be around forever. if we don't limit our sunlight intake soon or it will be too late! it's time we tax solar companies and make them pay for sucking the life out of our dying sun!
Ivan Boyraz - you have just summed up the western world and its decline - forget the barbarians at the gate as our threat - as Pogo the clown said ! We have met the enemy - US!'
I am not materialic person at all. And it is bad. There is almost nothing that gives me joy except little things. But those little things are little. So little joy only comes to me.
There is Materialism and Consumerism. Materialism is improving your life or happiness with provable and tangible methods. Consumerism is the idea that owning more possessions will make you happy.
That made a lot of sense. Because I always go to extremes and I feel that most of us are really in between. When I try to buy nothing I go crazy eventually and start buying everything. Deprivation is not the answer but being sensible is.
Tbh materialism has been instilled in us since we ever came into existence, in reality it has been embedded in our subconscious mind and is not going any time soon
People should just invest in good quality durable tools for life (kitchen ware, furniture etc) and not buy more than they absolutely need, this is why I'm a zero waste minimalist :)
BrenBren Hmann ...there are lots of zero waste minimalist videos on youtube. there is wikihow, lifehacks (website) & youtube which will show you how to repair your stuff. hope this helps!
HydrangeaDragon Of all of the minimalist videos I saw. I didn’t see anything about make-up, fashion or hygienic products. I did find a minimalist talking about swapping normal showers with soap for a “shower rinse.” 😫
But it's not only about you spending your hard earned money. Ofcourse you have a right to do with your money (mostly) what you want. But have you ever thought about how those items were made and if someone had to suffer for them?
Sometimes the value of buying an object is simply in the affirmation of your ability to do so. Money is powerful stuff, a kind of magic, both society's acknowledgement of your hard work and society's debt to you. And yet, if you only spend it on things you NEED, it becomes mundane. To affirm your ability to make things happen with the power of money, you need to use it frivolously from time to time. You need to buy something on an impulse, or go to a restaurant and watch other people serve you with their time like you serve with yours at work.
+Maurog That's more of an example of what's wrong with this world. On one hand money should flow to keep the economy standing, but as history has shown, it always gets out of hand because of human greed.
One could say that the road to extreme leads to the palace of wisdom, nothing wrong in striving for a villa or a bugatti ,toys are ment to be played with aslong as you dont expect them to fulfill a spiritual hole or give you happiness.
Of course there is something wrong with a villa and a bugatti but you need to take every factor into consideration to see it. Of course you could say there is nothing wrong in enjoying a bugatti and you would be correct. But is "enjoying a bugatti" all there is to know about a bugatti, is this the whole picture, does it summarize everything there is about a bugatti? Not at all. if I go after your logic, a serial killer who gives a dollar to a homeless every day would be a good thing because he gives a homeless a dollar every day and there is nothing wrong with that. There is definetly something wrong with a bugatti or a villa, it's just not the "enjoy-it" part of them.
Material things are neither good or bad. They just are. And there is nothing wrong with wanting to possess them, in my opinion. The problem is when our possessions (or pursuit of them) own us.
I enjoy my hobbies more than human interaction. My hobbies cost me more than my mortgage does on a monthly basis (seriously). I am a materialistic asshat. With that being said, I find more joy/happinness spending a weekend sorting through my hobbies than going out and socializing or doing anything else for that matter. I'm an introvert. I'd rather find something rare and nuanced within my hobby and then acquiring said thing than doing anything else. The thrill of the chase is what keeps me interested.
When we are born, we are forced to consume in every sense by our innate nature. That is an absolute law of life. Thus, yes we can simply state that it is in our nature to be materialistic to live, but it is the balance which is important.
Penguin's Piano to survive rather than collect, right? this is the point exactly, that there is a line to be crossed which puts someone on a gluttonous level
Objects are also a form of experience. Some of them give you a different feel and comfort; and they have different colors and textures..A stronger sense of touch, sight and smell makes you enjoy objects even more. I enjoy both the objects and people that I have around me❤❤😊
This is probably the first School of Life video that struck me as meaningless. Me buying a thousand luxury cars and attributing it to 'technical advancements' or some alike is not only justifiable, but 'absolutely correct' under this mentality. The concept of 'good materialism' is in this sense unnecessary, or at least does not provide any way of distinguishing good purchases from bad. I agree however with the analysis on transubstantiation, and believe that there is perhaps some way of incorporating it to materialism.
Exactly, especially when those items will be out of fashion in a year, and then you'll be bombarded with advertisements to buy the newer, more stylish one.
You have to realize that most of us are wildly uncomfortable with who we are, and while the price tag does indicate an excess, it doesn't necessarily mean it's an excess of greed or arrogance. It can sometimes indicate just how desperately we wish to embody something that we don't see ourselves as having enough of, like the video stated. That doesn't necessarily make much logical sense, and the most practical thing to do would be to find inner peace without all of these things, but it's impractical to assume this is always an option. Objects like these are often more therapeutic and helpful than we give them credit for, and I think that's the essential point of the video. No one wishes to be surrounded by reminders of their biggest character flaws, and a $200 alarm clock may not seem excessive to someone who feels they have sunken into a lifestyle that doesn't represent their ideal self. I think it's a very telling investment that you would spend so much on something like the development of your character, even if it is a flawed attempt.
I practice a form of minimalism where I keep things that I use and love. Some are just to make a room look nice, others are favorite clothes or jewelry. It helps that I love mini thins and like to be organized and have less because I have inattentive ADHD. Clutter makes me freak and feel negative, so having less to organize and having only things I use or desire as decoration, is great! I still have furniture, unlike some forms of minimalism, but what I have is good quality, not new trashy things, and I don’t have that desire to just buy buy buy anymore. It’s so freeing to not have as much because there is less to clean and organize. At least, for me.
can you make a video on how people should use the comment section of popular media like youtube? And how people should consume content on these media, with a skeptical eye.
There already is a very well made channel entirely devoted to that out there, it's called "Internet Comment Etiquette with Erik". Not only provides it consumable content but has trained my sceptical eye to spot the reflections of my third eye gazing into the comments of others, too. Speaking of others, i don't think there ever will be a channel as bouncy on these media, like ever. Dicks out for Hillary 2024, )_)=====D
Here is a short easier version. Just do things (and only own the things) that you really need, to maintain your own self respect. If for you, that means gold rings and sports cars, then so long as those items still maintain respect for yourself and for others that is perfectly fine. To deny this, the logical extreme would mean you would only buy food and the rent for shelter to sleep.
That was good, it made me think down to our very existence. What would we be like without symbols, nothing absolutely nothing. Void of thought. Materialism is rooted in our very nature, everything single thing that we are. In the negative deciphering of this, we shouldn't get caught up in pointless symbols that harm you or others, and focus on ones that build you up as a good person
I never understand people who are too obsessed with money or material things. The only thing that I wouldnt like is to work as an employee again doing things that are against my heart. Money is not the number one thing that i want in life, its just a tool so that later on, you can have some freedom for yourself.
Nothing matters, we're just sentient beings floating on a rock in the middle of space. Trying to make sense out of everything is just a futile attempt at distracting you from this reality.
Aaron Cajti Except we're conscious, if nothing truly mattered then we wouldn't be able to experience reality, we'd just be mindless robots following a program.
headcoLd 7 Not quite, we have phenomenal experiences, a robot doesn't. The difference is huge. It's our first-person subjective awareness of reality that's important, we aren't just blindly interacting with each other and our sorroundings.
At some point you will know if you have enough. I have 5 watches, why do i need 5? 3 should suffice. Many women have at least 20 pairs of shoes, why 20 when 8 should suffice. You check your heart and intentions. If you buy it to impress, you know what it means.
People say my(along with others' but I can only say for myself) phone is very materialistic and that having one and using one means I'm too attached to technology. But with it I can talk to people I couldn't otherwise talk to, learn things , and keep track of dates and important things I'm supposed to do. So, to me, i 100% don't need it to live but it does improve my life in a not totally superficial way.
I finally understand materialism. I've always been so puzzled by it, and I wondered if I should feel bad for wanting certain material objects. Thanks, School of Life!
There is the important and the most important... "Then it is clear that the honor and exaltation of man must be something more than material riches. Material comforts are only a branch, but the root of the exaltation of man is the good attributes and virtues which are the adornments of his reality." ~ Abdul-Baha
Were living in a very intense capitalist environment; so of course materialism is one of the most prevalent ideologies dominating our day to day lives....in a way it feels cathartic going into a shop and treating yourself to something expensive...you might disregard the object after a few days but in that moment it felt quite nice. I dont advocate capitalism by the way. But in this society its one of a few pleasures to go shopping.
I struggled with this today. I went shopping and bought a MAC red lipstick, namely because I know what a following the Ruby Woo colour has. On one hand, i did buy it because of materialism- it's a more expensive item, and it's a high end company. However, it feels good to own one thing that is high end. I put my own value on the lipstick, because red makes me feel confident and powerful. Just holding the MAC bag feels good knowing you spent money to be part of something. While there is a point when exceptions are made, buying things that you know will make you happy without harming you or others can be a good thing. It's really the small things in life. Rather small for you is a diamond necklace that makes you feel good or buying Starbucks for the thrill of the Instagram pictures, I think you should do it (in moderation).
Soon you need to change the end-screen: From "join our 1 million subscribers" to maybe "join our 2 million subscribers" oder "Join our more than 1 million subscribers" :) Thanks for the wonderful videos. At the moment I enjoy reading "The course of love", makes me laugh and cry alot...
It is the problem of degree. If you have zero materialistic mind you will be poor and sometimes fail in life. On the other hand too materialistic leads to selfish decision and trade other more important things for material. The best place to be in between.
wei1046 how will being less materialistic make you fail.? failure is subjective...my 'success' maybe someone else's failure. eg: i have a degree and im working and saving towards eventually homesteading...to some that might be a failure (from working in academia to 'farming') but to me thats my end game, my success
wei1046 this would all be solved if everyone was made to be born at the bottom: place newborns at third world countries and wait for them to experience success that way....your perspective might change then
For me, I think studying to go in agriculture is not failure, on the contrary it is quite a good target, but good people ends last. Some things like partner, spouse and job chances should not be treated lightly as it is few important things in life, and should hold on. These are also materialistic but not over the board The failure I mentioned is not what others' feel but you yourself, people who that think they did it for the greater good and not themselves often lose the most, as they will trade things that are important in life for the "greater good". So what I meant is zero materialistic will be poor and fail in life in the person's perspective, regretting afterwards for their decisions. No one can judge your term of "failure" and "success".
If it adds value to your life then it is not shallow consumerism. Minimalists tend to reduce their consumption down only to the necessities or things they gain joy from. I feel that's a good model for how, when and why to consume.
Nice! It kind of reminds me of the popular phrase "as above, so below", which also leads me to ponder about the complicated rather mysterious nature of the relationship between Psyche and Matter. While I'm not against consumerism, people often misunderstand my positions when I try and explain the motivations behind my "anti-consumerism" stance. In my opinion, the problem does not lie primarily in materialism per say, but the way by which this very act deviates attention from the more spiritual, inwards kinds of rewards, so the individual becomes utterly unbalanced and unilateral when it comes to their goals, desires and perspectives on life. The objective material world is just as important as the subjective inner world, and there can't be no separation between these two apparently opposite extremes. And as explained in this video, there can be ways to produce material goods that emphasize on the spiritual and meaning, bridging the gap between the inner and outer in everything.
A degree of materialism is required if you want to walk the middle path. That being said, there's no reason why some might not be perfectly happy with their six figure salary and their big house and nice car, and others happy with very little. To me, it seems to be simply a matter of personal preference. I don't understand why people get so up in arms about materialism, and I feel like most people who do are being hypocritical.
Jealousy. They bow to the rich when they meet them. I’ve seen through this kind of low-brow tacky almost bullying person since I was a child. They have strange bot memories that paste spiritual words with no personal substance.
we project certain value onto objects that don't have any intrinsic meaning based on our cultural upbringing. an object or a space that appears gaudy, flashy or overly luxurious through european eyes might be subtle and the height of sophistication and refinement to, say somebody from persia or china.
The problem with material things is that people get too attached to it to the point that the mansion/car/wealth becomes one with the identity of the person. The ideal human would be a very wealthy person, who, if stripped of all his wealth and possessions, and forced to live the life of a simpleton, manages to stay content. But they are very rare. I see people's ego quadruple when they buy a car, all the time.
It depends. Spending your money on an item that will bring you happiness and pleasure (like a musical instrument or a video game) isn't bad. But aspiring to own more and more "stuff" to make yourself feel rich is wrong.
in some ways we arent materialistic enough! we should be encouraged to really enjoy the things we bring into our lives instead of buying more than we need and forgetting about most of what we have
I am mostly materialistic for things that help me create art and express myself. Good tools for the jobs I want to do in life. When it comes to clothes I don't really have an "image". I feel, and I'm probably wrong, that I am almost impossible to market to. Most adverts seem overtly manipulative (get this new gadget - level up your life! - be part of the in crowd! gain acceptance!). I also appreciate things like a roof over my head. That's a thing that's made of materials :)
I suppose from what this video is pointing to is that materials can be good memory joggers for more important directions in our lives than trying to delude our selves in our materials.
Good points... Materialism is "… rampant and cancerous … undermining the fabric of human society alike in the East and in the West, eating into the vitals of the conflicting peoples and races inhabiting the American, the European and the Asiatic continents." - Shoghi Effendi, Baha'i Faith
Is better not transubstantiate objects or minimize doing so...it is on the road of deluding yourself to non materialism you learn to value what is truly needed
There is 'better' materialism and 'worse' materialism not good and bad materialism! Materialism is in itself BAD. We majorly use it to divert ourselves from the real pains or goods of our lives that we need to focus on. I amn't against buying comfortable & needed things to help us in our lives or those delicately made to transcend meaning and beauty, but I am against relying entirely on them, making a big deal out of having them and aligning our happiness to their possession! Just bc religions did it, doesn't mean it is right. Capitalism, religion and marketing exploited our human deficiencies and used shinny things to hooks up to them indefinitely! Beside it can be argued humans are the ones who impose a perceived meaning on an object and that an object itself doesn't illuminate the meaning. All the things that we consume that is made by the blood and agony of human beings can be refined and very shiny.....
In short, materialism is useful when an item enhances your quality of life and helps you fulfill yourself. For example, a musical instrument or a paintbrush to express yourself, a vehicle to have free mobility, etc. The problem is being focused on material things as the sole means of expression, fulfillment and happiness in your life. Be grateful for what you have instead of always seeking for more things, realize how every thing improves your quality of life, and be aware of the fact that in any given moment, these things might not be in your life and you will have to adjust accordingly (Example - house fire).
Yes. We are too materialistic. Most people aren't smart enough to try to find fulfillment in intrinstic goals or self improvement and so they fill their lives with THINGS instead to try to fill that void in their lives.
Materialism is about E=MC squared compared to Quantum Physics (physical reality is an illusion. This video is consumerism vs spirituality. A spectrum where on one end people try buy status build self-esteem through validation of others vs people who build esteem esteem by reshaping their internal perception of reality.
What is even "materialism"? It seems to conflict empiricism with consumerism, which are not necessarily related. The "materialism" opposition even seems to encourage te adoption of unfalsifiable ideas.
Hoarding is not positive reinforcement and attaching your self worth to possessions is also degrading yourself and others, especially those that don't have the means.
If materialism is inconvenience to others, it is not approved. It lacks touch with the surroundings if it is an extremist kind of materialism. One can just wonder about things that cannot be controlled. A mind which can be controlled has solutions to life. Also, seeing differently helps seeing wrong. Feeling wrong is selfish.
I say keep it simple and be honest with yourself, no material item alone will ever satisfy you fist. Find peace within as number one always above all else than you can truly make us and enjoy material things and relationships to the fullest.
Who decides what an object means? You said that an object can transubstantiate the very worst sides of human nature, but is that not up to the eye of the beholder? I might find a bicycle to be cold and alienating and a gold car to be pure and uplifting.
I would like to add that I greatly appreciate you for choosing "Hip Hip Hurra" of P.S. Krøyer as the last painting at 4:19. It is a personal favorite of mine :)
Transubstantiation is only in the mind of those who believe in it. We are the ones that give material objects its value, hence we can also take it away from these objects. There is no need, for instance, that in order to be a more humble person, to have a watch that "hints" to ideals such as those mentioned in the video. We make those hints. We can get closer to these ideals without any material representation.
I love the functionalist design of Dieter Ram. Nice to see this linked to "good materialism", though by now his products have become collectibles with according price tags that I find hard to justify.
I get your point, and I have tried to be that way, but unfortunately is so easy to justify the most unnecessary and ridiculous stuff with this mindset, that I'm just doing it because it can help me grow as a human being. this is more towards people who just want to get rich or have money, just to have it, not to use it in any positive way either for themselves or others.
Was thinking about this today. there's a great bit in fight club where brad mitt cites a dogma that "you are not your possessions. you are not your clothes, car, house, job..." ect.
Cuba is still a "materialist" country. Non materialist would be Orthodox Christian communities, the Amish, Indigenous people, hippie/farm communes, ect. but I can see why people wouldn't want to live in those places.
The Parasites Of Your Sky who told you that? I live in india , which almost sends 20000 migrants every year to the US . Most of the people who go , go there to earn . It's a better place for those who want to earn . Plenty of smarter people choose to stay because the intense materialism in the US is poisonous to the slightly idealistic Indian . Nonetheless , both places are great .
products are an expression of identity, companies and marketing tailor to self expression, you can literally "make yourself". I rather spend my money on experiences rather than on products "to appear better" in front of others.
The point is valid, but the video is too short to go into the way materialism is used against us and the way our values - embodied in material goods or not - are seriously out of whack. That is, nothing about society pressuring people into buying things they don't even want or need, or cater to their worst selves, so they can be "successful" or "better than others" - or even just get by. But, like I said... The video is too short to really go into all aspects of materialism.
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We certainly don't need more stuff, we need more time.
What is any use for time, if we don't have stuff to play with.
What is any stuff to play without the imagination?
+LT “John” YV we have each other and nature to play with (:
We certainly don't need more time, we need more quality.
Jackson I do need more things, I've been born in Venezuela and my needs are not fulfilled.
Materialism isn't good or bad depending on the object, but in how the owner values its relevancy/influence in his or her life.
I agree completely, but I would also say that it's quite easy to know how materialistic someone is by looking the frequency and quantity of material goods bought in relation to their necessity.
Sakux Exactly, they value things that are not necessities over necessities.
some objects are always a waste
+mephistopheles the silent chief Indeed. Or if they are rich enough, buying a lot of unnecessary things when they have all the necessary (materialistically speaking).
If a billionaire only bought what is necessary, 95% of his fortune would go to waste. The poor and middle class wouldn't know how to enjoy a billion dollars anyway, but complain about not being rich.
To me Materialism is a type of projection of the self.
We create a concept and then try to fulfill it with something perceivable, generally an object.
Alexandre Hosokawa +
Alexandre Hosokawa very interesting
Alexandre Hosokawa shouldn't humans be wise and organized enough to know we are more than what we purchase? afterall, we're here for such a miniscule amount of time; our individual existence is but a speck in history. our objects might last longer than us tho, sadly enough, especially when they're made of Non-Biodegradable materials like ~plastic. No matter if you recycle religiously like my family, and let's be honest we know most people in the world do NOT do it diligently, the material takes a long time well beyond our lifetimes to break down.
We're collectively, effectively suffocating the planet w our purchasing choices.
Plastic is a common shared product we contribute to harm of species and destruction of ecosystems.
World leaders worry about economics to remain powerful but all that is shortsighted. This is related bc the point of materialism is the culture of buying, and that practice is encouraged to raise economics, government wealth via taxes. None of that matters if we're killing our planet.
Many of us want humanity to progress and that doesn't equate to constantly buying crap.
It comes in the form of supporting the arts, sciences and protecting the environment.
Sports/exercise and eating habits are probably the only binding activities we can share in common to remain healthy and entertained without having to be exactly alike and requires us to on occasion buy stuff to support said activities.
but it's the activities that lead us to buy not the item itself, which materialism implies. at least that's my take on materialism. when people purchase as a status symbol that attitude is pretty petty.
Alexandre Hosokawa I'll agree to that to a point. any tool to use is a material. and I enjoy what I make with my tools.
Very interesting comment. I wrote it down to give it more thought. I buy very little but things come to me in abundance without trying. I gather it all up and then I do a purge to goodwill, etc. I do believe in abundance, my concept, and stuff comes to me all by itself. Thanks.
One of my Dad's regular sayings was always "The more possessions you have, the more you're possessed." I used to have a lot of great things, but I've lost most of them to fire and theft. I like being a minimalist now, It's much easier and so much better for your Soul.
Hmm yes. I spend most of my time on computers, playstation, car, and stuff I own, but I never really do things without them. I think I was happier as a kid when I didn't own anything but the world was my playground. Now I work to pay for the stuff I own but it owns me instead.
Matt Yeah, I'm no real minimalist by any means, I still have a TV, PS4, car, phone, etc. but I don't buy anything I don't need anymore. I also had a lot of severe depression growing up. I have less now than I've ever had in my life since I was a teenager and I've never felt better.
Nice. Material doesn't go with you when you die. Good mindset you have.
Kinda' true. These things will control you and will make you want more and more stuff..
Minimalism is better for the mind and the planet.
+Michael Björk
I like the idea of minimalism, but I don't know how the economy would do without superfluous industry.
Live it 👌
+Alexandre Hosokawa The "good economy" mindset is created by us humans. Is it better to have a better economy than a good welfare for the planet? Earth itself does not care about how much our economy gain through consumerism. Money is man made. The planet is not.
Michael Björk But how do we provide welfare without resources? Or labor? When people stop consuming, we have recession and unemployment.
So people would have to find another reason to work for others, other than their own self-interest. This sounds very utopian.
+Alexandre Hosokawa If all people lived more minimalist lives, then we have no need for creating so much stuff, which means so much less work to do. In a sane society, this would probably translate to less time working for all, or a guaranteed minimum standard of living, but if the structure of our society didn't change, then perhaps 'recession and unemployment' could be a problem. Increases in technical efficiency and automation pose similar threats to our current system anyway.
It would be nice if this were a simple choice for individuals (libertarian ideal), however, when people chose to consume excessively, it has significant negative impact on the lives of everything else that inhabits the earth.
The problem is that many people will talk themselves into a false transubstantiative property in an object which really isn't there. People can justify anything and they aren't honest with themselves. "The new iPhone will help be me more productive." Really? I don't think so.
Yeong-min Bae But who's to say what is and isn't transubstantiative? Or what will be used for the better and what will be used for the worse?
Kanalratte That is why I raised these rhetorical and indefinite questions, to further show how futile transubstantiation is. It's just a shame that status symbols are often representative of ones hard work.
You've both emphasized the point I was making quite well. I don't really buy into this idea of "good consumerism" based on the concept of transubstantiation. I would argue that the person who bought the watch is distracting himself with the watch and not focusing on their own efforts to become that person they wish to be.
Yeong-min Bae Well said, the characteristics associated with an object may not represent those of its owner.
Kanalratte I call transubstantiation futile because value is added not inherent, thus personal not spiritual.
"You are not what you own"
Well said. I love that film too. XD
The more things you own, the more your things own you.
ogogo ogpgpg Fight Club
The best things are not things.
I am not gonna agree more with u pal.
Like that Sailor Moon figure on my shelve, what would i have been without it?
I also gather strength and comfort from my Sailor Jupiter figures and plushies
Sailor Uranus for me, so bold and cool. I know I'll get around to watching it sometime! ;v;
l a m e .
youd be in the same seat you are now.. only leaning on the other cheek
stuck in the negaburst...
Buying one well-made watch that will last your whole life (or at least a very long time) isn't materialism.
Buying a watch that you will replace as soon as a newer more fashionable watch is marketed to you every year for the next 20 years is.
Who needs a watch in modern times
Nobody does, but then again did anyone ever really need one? I was just using the same example he used in the video.
Planned obsolescence is not itself materialism, but it helps foster materialism.
"Buying one well-made watch that will last your whole life (or at least a very long time) *IS STILL* materialism." Maybe, but you need _some_ material objects to function in modern society. Perhaps a watch is unnecessary in this day and age, but it's pretty much impossible to find employment if you don't have a phone, some kind of device to access the internet, and a permanent address.
So everyone using material objects to meet their needs and survive are materialists? If so, the term is meaningless, it applies to everyone.
Mirriam-Webster's definition: (n) a doctrine that the only or the highest values or objectives lie in material well-being and in the furtherance of material progress
@@MrBeaux but how does buying something that has better quality not materialism (please reply)
The School of Life always has to bring in religion, specifically Christianity, and make a subtle attempt of making the religion look foolish by using it in an argument about a specific topic. This video could have been an in-depth social critique of why we are too materialistic, that is, what the underlying cause is, and said repercussions of being materialistic not only to ourselves, but for society as a whole.
People are materialistic because deep down they have no meaning in their life, and if one has no meaning then one has no purpose, and if one has no purpose it is due to the fact that the person lacks passion. Material objects are a way for a person to momentarily attach themselves to something which gives them the impression that life is good and meaningful, but as soon as some time passes they will begin to feel "not like themselves" and begin to seek more pleasurable acts and continue to live a materialistic life. Materialism is bad on the individual because it makes one a slave to the objects he buys. How can we be happy if we put our happiness in something temporary? Materialism is horrible for a culture because it creates a chain of events that slowly begins to eat away at the culture of a nation, destroys the foundation of its values, and replaces it with selfish materialistic gain.
there is no such a immortal things in this universe, but I have immortal unicorn in my mind
"Materialism is horrible for a culture" There are a great many things (literal things) in our culture that both are our culture and perpetuate it, such as books, paintings and especially political treaties such as national constitutions or political landmarks (Parliament House or The White House) You'r using the internet so I presume you bought a PC or smartphone to write your comment which gives you a material connection to the wider culture of the world through the web which has created a really strange detached materialism in the form of data files. I'm sure you save pictures off websites and download movies too, giving yourself a copy of something you like without depriving anyone else of that thing is almost like a transcendent materialism I guess. As the video suggests, we should more value material objects for the philosophical ideas they represent than the objects themselves but from a purely pragmatic view an object only has value so long as its serves a useful purpose.
TL;DR: Materialism is not always bad; meaning in the world is more nuanced than that. Also dose data fall under the realm of materialism?
Vincent Tenia Vincent Tenia You wrote a lot, but said absolutely nothing of value and failed to even remotely see my point. When I speak of materialism my very implication is the materialism that is perpetuated today such as: clothes, cars, technology, ect. Yes, some basic level of material items are necessary, but only basic. I have a phone to talk to my friends and to research information, that's all I use it for. I don't download movies, or do anything of that sort. Books, paintings, political treatises are definitely material objects (I myself read books), but very few people would abuse these in a materialistic way, unless of course one has a habit for collecting, but even then, it is bad. To collect books for the sole purpose of collecting them because one enjoys them and it makes one feel whole to buy them, not for the information contained within them to grow as an individual, but for the books themselves, then yes, one becomes a slave them. If one starts buying something because it makes them feel whole, makes them feel normal, then that person is a slave to said object.
Vincent Tenia You have this notion that when one critiques materialism and criticizes people for attaching themselves to material items that I am in effect saying that all material items are bad, but I am not saying that and the fact you failed to see that proves you didn't understand my position to begin with. The very definition of materialism is, "A tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values." I am not saying having the basic material items is bad, I am saying to use them for their correct purpose and to not attach oneself to them in such a way that if one is deprived that they won't 'feel right'.
My comment was not intended to reply in entirety to your comment only the portion i saw flaw in "Materialism is horrible for culture" is a direct quote from your comment i took issue with as materialism propagates culture see serialised comic books or see Tolkien's hobbit and lord of the rings. You state a bare minimum of materialism is a necessity but i'd hardly say a smart phone is a bare necessity to survive, its literally a luxury item and if you'r not using yours to its fullest potential; that's your choice and i disagree with you're decision to not use its full capabilities on a philosophical level. An aspect of materialism has built our modern world, and while over consumption poses a serious threat to our future as a species I reject your position that materialism is inherently bad. (that i interpreted from your comment and sorry if that's a misinterpretation) I also still don't know if data can be considered to be under to term materialism.
Materialism, good or bad, is unsustainable in the long run at the current rate we're consuming the planet's resources.
word, yes !!
you're right. we must recognize that the sun won't be around forever. if we don't limit our sunlight intake soon or it will be too late! it's time we tax solar companies and make them pay for sucking the life out of our dying sun!
More like tax the oil companies. We subsidize them to the tune of half a trillion dollars. Bad troll is bad.
you're right how could i forget them! but also tax the sun for burning up 99% of our solar system's natural hydrogen deposits!
It is hard not to be materialistic. The economy is addicted to it. And people judge you with what you buy.
@Bobby Becker don't care about your previous video
We shouldnt care about most peoples opinions in the first place. Most people are boring to me and live dull lives.
People that judge you superficially aren't worth making happy. The people that matter don't need you to impress them with your car and clothes
That's why i wear minimalistic designer clothes...so i don't get approached just because of that versace medusa logo
More insecure+ empty inside - little life purpose ( bigger than just self) = over shallow consumption!
Ivan Boyraz - you have just summed up the western world and its decline - forget the barbarians at the gate as our threat - as Pogo the clown said ! We have met the enemy - US!'
I'm insecure and empty inside but I don't buy anything with the money I've saved. What does that make me? Just cheap? XD
Em183 that just makes you "confused"... I got that shit going on for quite a while now
I am not materialic person at all. And it is bad. There is almost nothing that gives me joy except little things. But those little things are little. So little joy only comes to me.
There is Materialism and Consumerism. Materialism is improving your life or happiness with provable and tangible methods. Consumerism is the idea that owning more possessions will make you happy.
That made a lot of sense. Because I always go to extremes and I feel that most of us are really in between. When I try to buy nothing I go crazy eventually and start buying everything. Deprivation is not the answer but being sensible is.
I almost laughed when I saw the title of this. It's almost unbelievable how materialistic everyone I know is.
The good materialism is just an excuse for people who truly aren't ready to let go of their obsession over material goods and make them feel better
"If you like our films, take a look at our shop (we ship worldwide)"
😂😂😂😂
Tbh materialism has been instilled in us since we ever came into existence, in reality it has been embedded in our subconscious mind and is not going any time soon
People should just invest in good quality durable tools for life (kitchen ware, furniture etc) and not buy more than they absolutely need, this is why I'm a zero waste minimalist :)
HydrangeaDragon ...thank you for posting this! 😀 i think that this is the video i'd have to call bs on.
How do you do that? I'm not mocking you I genuinely want to understand how you live.
BrenBren Hmann ...there are lots of zero waste minimalist videos on youtube. there is wikihow, lifehacks (website) & youtube which will show you how to repair your stuff. hope this helps!
HydrangeaDragon being materialistic doesn't mean to accumulate ugly furniture, so you can be a pretty materialist and minimalist person anyway.
HydrangeaDragon Of all of the minimalist videos I saw. I didn’t see anything about make-up, fashion or hygienic products. I did find a minimalist talking about swapping normal showers with soap for a “shower rinse.” 😫
I have a ton of shit that I bought like that but I don't feel bad cause I work my ass off from them
But it's not only about you spending your hard earned money. Ofcourse you have a right to do with your money (mostly) what you want. But have you ever thought about how those items were made and if someone had to suffer for them?
The question is: "why did you buy these objects?" If it's to fill an empty void, then there lies the problem with society.
if i was young and recieved a million dollars "loan" from dad i would feel pretty good if you ask me
Sometimes the value of buying an object is simply in the affirmation of your ability to do so. Money is powerful stuff, a kind of magic, both society's acknowledgement of your hard work and society's debt to you. And yet, if you only spend it on things you NEED, it becomes mundane. To affirm your ability to make things happen with the power of money, you need to use it frivolously from time to time. You need to buy something on an impulse, or go to a restaurant and watch other people serve you with their time like you serve with yours at work.
+Maurog That's more of an example of what's wrong with this world. On one hand money should flow to keep the economy standing, but as history has shown, it always gets out of hand because of human greed.
One could say that the road to extreme leads to the palace of wisdom, nothing wrong in striving for a villa or a bugatti ,toys are ment to be played with aslong as you dont expect them to fulfill a spiritual hole or give you happiness.
Of course there is something wrong with a villa and a bugatti but you need to take every factor into consideration to see it. Of course you could say there is nothing wrong in enjoying a bugatti and you would be correct. But is "enjoying a bugatti" all there is to know about a bugatti, is this the whole picture, does it summarize everything there is about a bugatti? Not at all. if I go after your logic, a serial killer who gives a dollar to a homeless every day would be a good thing because he gives a homeless a dollar every day and there is nothing wrong with that. There is definetly something wrong with a bugatti or a villa, it's just not the "enjoy-it" part of them.
A serial killer and a bugatti driver is not a good comparison.
I didn't compare a serial killer to a bugatti driver. I'm sorry, but you missed the whole point of my illustration.
Juperseus I'm not sure even you know what you were trying say there lol and no point was made .
I'm glad i don't care enough to continue this conversation beyond this point.
Material things are neither good or bad. They just are. And there is nothing wrong with wanting to possess them, in my opinion. The problem is when our possessions (or pursuit of them) own us.
I enjoy my hobbies more than human interaction. My hobbies cost me more than my mortgage does on a monthly basis (seriously). I am a materialistic asshat. With that being said, I find more joy/happinness spending a weekend sorting through my hobbies than going out and socializing or doing anything else for that matter. I'm an introvert. I'd rather find something rare and nuanced within my hobby and then acquiring said thing than doing anything else. The thrill of the chase is what keeps me interested.
I click on "are we too materialistic?"
first thing that plays is an ad "hey, are you shopping for a projector?" XD
When we are born, we are forced to consume in every sense by our innate nature. That is an absolute law of life. Thus, yes we can simply state that it is in our nature to be materialistic to live, but it is the balance which is important.
Penguin's Piano to survive rather than collect, right? this is the point exactly, that there is a line to be crossed which puts someone on a gluttonous level
Objects are also a form of experience. Some of them give you a different feel and comfort; and they have different colors and textures..A stronger sense of touch, sight and smell makes you enjoy objects even more. I enjoy both the objects and people that I have around me❤❤😊
This is probably the first School of Life video that struck me as meaningless. Me buying a thousand luxury cars and attributing it to 'technical advancements' or some alike is not only justifiable, but 'absolutely correct' under this mentality. The concept of 'good materialism' is in this sense unnecessary, or at least does not provide any way of distinguishing good purchases from bad. I agree however with the analysis on transubstantiation, and believe that there is perhaps some way of incorporating it to materialism.
I agree, but transubstantiation is rediculous, an object may have personal value but not spiritual value. It's a superstitious gimmick.
Indeed
I have two vices: books and perfume. I’m working on the second one, but I’ll probably always buy books every year.
The things you own end up owning you
Eric Yep.
Cough smart phones Cough
I'm sorry but I fail to see how a $5000 bicycle and a 200$ alarm clock "transubstantiate" into *humility*
Agreed. It's madness.
Exactly, especially when those items will be out of fashion in a year, and then you'll be bombarded with advertisements to buy the newer, more stylish one.
You have to realize that most of us are wildly uncomfortable with who we are, and while the price tag does indicate an excess, it doesn't necessarily mean it's an excess of greed or arrogance. It can sometimes indicate just how desperately we wish to embody something that we don't see ourselves as having enough of, like the video stated. That doesn't necessarily make much logical sense, and the most practical thing to do would be to find inner peace without all of these things, but it's impractical to assume this is always an option. Objects like these are often more therapeutic and helpful than we give them credit for, and I think that's the essential point of the video. No one wishes to be surrounded by reminders of their biggest character flaws, and a $200 alarm clock may not seem excessive to someone who feels they have sunken into a lifestyle that doesn't represent their ideal self. I think it's a very telling investment that you would spend so much on something like the development of your character, even if it is a flawed attempt.
I practice a form of minimalism where I keep things that I use and love. Some are just to make a room look nice, others are favorite clothes or jewelry. It helps that I love mini thins and like to be organized and have less because I have inattentive ADHD. Clutter makes me freak and feel negative, so having less to organize and having only things I use or desire as decoration, is great! I still have furniture, unlike some forms of minimalism, but what I have is good quality, not new trashy things, and I don’t have that desire to just buy buy buy anymore. It’s so freeing to not have as much because there is less to clean and organize. At least, for me.
Apple is my religion.
Steve Jobs my messiah.
The iPhone my bible,
and the Apple store my church.
Chapter 7, Verse 10, iSheep
Amen, brother
can you make a video on how people should use the comment section of popular media like youtube? And how people should consume content on these media, with a skeptical eye.
There already is a very well made channel entirely devoted to that out there, it's called "Internet Comment Etiquette with Erik". Not only provides it consumable content but has trained my sceptical eye to spot the reflections of my third eye gazing into the comments of others, too. Speaking of others, i don't think there ever will be a channel as bouncy on these media, like ever. Dicks out for Hillary 2024, )_)=====D
you can only experience the untold benefits of a materialism-free life after you've experienced materialism first hand.
I'm too poor to be materialistic
Yet you have access to a computer.
I've seen people work second jobs to pay off a luxury car. I always think " I'd rather drive a basic car and have my time.
its “buying things we don’t need
to impress people we don’t like”
Good materialism? I never thought about it that way! The School of life never disappoints. :)
Here is a short easier version. Just do things (and only own the things) that you really need, to maintain your own self respect. If for you, that means gold rings and sports cars, then so long as those items still maintain respect for yourself and for others that is perfectly fine. To deny this, the logical extreme would mean you would only buy food and the rent for shelter to sleep.
I m materialistic and i love it i buy things for myself to enjoy not to show off and it makes me happy
That was good, it made me think down to our very existence. What would we be like without symbols, nothing absolutely nothing. Void of thought. Materialism is rooted in our very nature, everything single thing that we are. In the negative deciphering of this, we shouldn't get caught up in pointless symbols that harm you or others, and focus on ones that build you up as a good person
I never understand people who are too obsessed with money or material things. The only thing that I wouldnt like is to work as an employee again doing things that are against my heart. Money is not the number one thing that i want in life, its just a tool so that later on, you can have some freedom for yourself.
Nothing matters, we're just sentient beings floating on a rock in the middle of space. Trying to make sense out of everything is just a futile attempt at distracting you from this reality.
That is a sad existence indeed
Aaron Cajti Except we're conscious, if nothing truly mattered then we wouldn't be able to experience reality, we'd just be mindless robots following a program.
+Wanda Sykes are we not merely "robots" following a program? Mate, feed, die, repeat. That is human life.
+headcoLd 7 To a point, but we have free-will to make choices and also make "moral" decisions while animals do not.
headcoLd 7 Not quite, we have phenomenal experiences, a robot doesn't. The difference is huge. It's our first-person subjective awareness of reality that's important, we aren't just blindly interacting with each other and our sorroundings.
At some point you will know if you have enough.
I have 5 watches, why do i need 5? 3 should suffice.
Many women have at least 20 pairs of shoes, why 20 when 8 should suffice.
You check your heart and intentions. If you buy it to impress, you know what it means.
Simple answer: yes.
" Things that you own, end up owning you "
- FIGHT CLUB
Everything he said went over my head. Constant thought during this lesson about life was "wait, whut?"
People say my(along with others' but I can only say for myself) phone is very materialistic and that having one and using one means I'm too attached to technology. But with it I can talk to people I couldn't otherwise talk to, learn things , and keep track of dates and important things I'm supposed to do. So, to me, i 100% don't need it to live but it does improve my life in a not totally superficial way.
I finally understand materialism. I've always been so puzzled by it, and I wondered if I should feel bad for wanting certain material objects. Thanks, School of Life!
There is the important and the most important... "Then it is clear that the honor and exaltation of man must be something more than material riches. Material comforts are only a branch, but the root of the exaltation of man is the good attributes and virtues which are the adornments of his reality." ~ Abdul-Baha
Were living in a very intense capitalist environment; so of course materialism is one of the most prevalent ideologies dominating our day to day lives....in a way it feels cathartic going into a shop and treating yourself to something expensive...you might disregard the object after a few days but in that moment it felt quite nice. I dont advocate capitalism by the way. But in this society its one of a few pleasures to go shopping.
that reminds me of the fight club, my favorite movie.
I never get grammar advice when I want it. can you proof read a few forum posts for me?
It's not English class, relax bro.
The first rule of Fight Club is: You do NOT talk about Fight Club.
I mean you plica06, would you review what I write?
plica06
Well, my point is still valid, but thanks anyway, I'm still learning English, my first language is Spanish.
This format would work amazingly with the concept of Egoism. I would be pleased to watch it if you happen to like my idea.
"The things you own ends up owning you"
- Fight Club
It is all in the essence of the owner.
Realize that things don't define you, but that you define your world with what you use/own etc.
I struggled with this today. I went shopping and bought a MAC red lipstick, namely because I know what a following the Ruby Woo colour has. On one hand, i did buy it because of materialism- it's a more expensive item, and it's a high end company. However, it feels good to own one thing that is high end. I put my own value on the lipstick, because red makes me feel confident and powerful. Just holding the MAC bag feels good knowing you spent money to be part of something. While there is a point when exceptions are made, buying things that you know will make you happy without harming you or others can be a good thing. It's really the small things in life. Rather small for you is a diamond necklace that makes you feel good or buying Starbucks for the thrill of the Instagram pictures, I think you should do it (in moderation).
Soon you need to change the end-screen: From "join our 1 million subscribers" to maybe "join our 2 million subscribers" oder "Join our more than 1 million subscribers" :) Thanks for the wonderful videos. At the moment I enjoy reading "The course of love", makes me laugh and cry alot...
It is the problem of degree. If you have zero materialistic mind you will be poor and sometimes fail in life. On the other hand too materialistic leads to selfish decision and trade other more important things for material. The best place to be in between.
wei1046 how will being less materialistic make you fail.? failure is subjective...my 'success' maybe someone else's failure. eg: i have a degree and im working and saving towards eventually homesteading...to some that might be a failure (from working in academia to 'farming') but to me thats my end game, my success
wei1046 this would all be solved if everyone was made to be born at the bottom: place newborns at third world countries and wait for them to experience success that way....your perspective might change then
For me, I think studying to go in agriculture is not failure, on the contrary it is quite a good target, but good people ends last. Some things like partner, spouse and job chances should not be treated lightly as it is few important things in life, and should hold on. These are also materialistic but not over the board The failure I mentioned is not what others' feel but you yourself, people who that think they did it for the greater good and not themselves often lose the most, as they will trade things that are important in life for the "greater good". So what I meant is zero materialistic will be poor and fail in life in the person's perspective, regretting afterwards for their decisions. No one can judge your term of "failure" and "success".
If it adds value to your life then it is not shallow consumerism. Minimalists tend to reduce their consumption down only to the necessities or things they gain joy from. I feel that's a good model for how, when and why to consume.
Nice! It kind of reminds me of the popular phrase "as above, so below", which also leads me to ponder about the complicated rather mysterious nature of the relationship between Psyche and Matter. While I'm not against consumerism, people often misunderstand my positions when I try and explain the motivations behind my "anti-consumerism" stance. In my opinion, the problem does not lie primarily in materialism per say, but the way by which this very act deviates attention from the more spiritual, inwards kinds of rewards, so the individual becomes utterly unbalanced and unilateral when it comes to their goals, desires and perspectives on life. The objective material world is just as important as the subjective inner world, and there can't be no separation between these two apparently opposite extremes. And as explained in this video, there can be ways to produce material goods that emphasize on the spiritual and meaning, bridging the gap between the inner and outer in everything.
i found the comments under your videos are very wise and people are kind and engaged in good discussion. I don’t see any pure hatred words yet.
A degree of materialism is required if you want to walk the middle path. That being said, there's no reason why some might not be perfectly happy with their six figure salary and their big house and nice car, and others happy with very little. To me, it seems to be simply a matter of personal preference. I don't understand why people get so up in arms about materialism, and I feel like most people who do are being hypocritical.
Jealousy. They bow to the rich when they meet them. I’ve seen through this kind of low-brow tacky almost bullying person since I was a child. They have strange bot memories that paste spiritual words with no personal substance.
'if i like it, it's good materialism'
if an item offers genuine value in your life, than yes.
we project certain value onto objects that don't have any intrinsic meaning based on our cultural upbringing. an object or a space that appears gaudy, flashy or overly luxurious through european eyes might be subtle and the height of sophistication and refinement to, say somebody from persia or china.
The problem with material things is that people get too attached to it to the point that the mansion/car/wealth becomes one with the identity of the person. The ideal human would be a very wealthy person, who, if stripped of all his wealth and possessions, and forced to live the life of a simpleton, manages to stay content. But they are very rare. I see people's ego quadruple when they buy a car, all the time.
It depends. Spending your money on an item that will bring you happiness and pleasure (like a musical instrument or a video game) isn't bad. But aspiring to own more and more "stuff" to make yourself feel rich is wrong.
in some ways we arent materialistic enough! we should be encouraged to really enjoy the things we bring into our lives instead of buying more than we need and forgetting about most of what we have
I am mostly materialistic for things that help me create art and express myself. Good tools for the jobs I want to do in life. When it comes to clothes I don't really have an "image". I feel, and I'm probably wrong, that I am almost impossible to market to. Most adverts seem overtly manipulative (get this new gadget - level up your life! - be part of the in crowd! gain acceptance!). I also appreciate things like a roof over my head. That's a thing that's made of materials :)
I would love to see School of Life's take on global warming.
I suppose from what this video is pointing to is that materials can be good memory joggers for more important directions in our lives than trying to delude our selves in our materials.
Good points... Materialism is "… rampant and cancerous … undermining the fabric of human society alike in the East and in the West, eating into the vitals of the conflicting peoples and races inhabiting the American, the European and the Asiatic continents." - Shoghi Effendi, Baha'i Faith
My car, sunglasses, money, vote, computer, voice, clothing, and killer sentry turrets are all extensions of myself. This is How I see materialism.
Do a video discussing the 'ignorance is bliss' idea
Is better not transubstantiate objects or minimize doing so...it is on the road of deluding yourself to non materialism you learn to value what is truly needed
There is 'better' materialism and 'worse' materialism not good and bad materialism! Materialism is in itself BAD. We majorly use it to divert ourselves from the real pains or goods of our lives that we need to focus on. I amn't against buying comfortable & needed things to help us in our lives or those delicately made to transcend meaning and beauty, but I am against relying entirely on them, making a big deal out of having them and aligning our happiness to their possession! Just bc religions did it, doesn't mean it is right. Capitalism, religion and marketing exploited our human deficiencies and used shinny things to hooks up to them indefinitely! Beside it can be argued humans are the ones who impose a perceived meaning on an object and that an object itself doesn't illuminate the meaning. All the things that we consume that is made by the blood and agony of human beings can be refined and very shiny.....
You are right on the money. It's the great delusion
Conclusion: the balance is important
never thought that I'd be outmatched by a chair
In short, materialism is useful when an item enhances your quality of life and helps you fulfill yourself. For example, a musical instrument or a paintbrush to express yourself, a vehicle to have free mobility, etc. The problem is being focused on material things as the sole means of expression, fulfillment and happiness in your life. Be grateful for what you have instead of always seeking for more things, realize how every thing improves your quality of life, and be aware of the fact that in any given moment, these things might not be in your life and you will have to adjust accordingly (Example - house fire).
Yes. We are too materialistic. Most people aren't smart enough to try to find fulfillment in intrinstic goals or self improvement and so they fill their lives with THINGS instead to try to fill that void in their lives.
Materialism is about E=MC squared compared to Quantum Physics (physical reality is an illusion. This video is consumerism vs spirituality. A spectrum where on one end people try buy status build self-esteem through validation of others vs people who build esteem esteem by reshaping their internal perception of reality.
What is even "materialism"? It seems to conflict empiricism with consumerism, which are not necessarily related.
The "materialism" opposition even seems to encourage te adoption of unfalsifiable ideas.
Hoarding is not positive reinforcement and attaching your self worth to possessions is also degrading yourself and others, especially those that don't have the means.
Alain de Botton and SoL never cease to amaze me.
If materialism is inconvenience to others, it is not approved. It lacks touch with the surroundings if it is an extremist kind of materialism. One can just wonder about things that cannot be controlled.
A mind which can be controlled has solutions to life. Also, seeing differently helps seeing wrong.
Feeling wrong is selfish.
I say keep it simple and be honest with yourself, no material item alone will ever satisfy you fist. Find peace within as number one always above all else than you can truly make us and enjoy material things and relationships to the fullest.
The best things are not things
Nietzsche speaks of the 'spiritualisation' of material desires. We have drained the spirit out of our materialism; that is the real problem.
There's a difference between being comfortable and being greedy unfortunately many people can't distinguish between those
Who decides what an object means? You said that an object can transubstantiate the very worst sides of human nature, but is that not up to the eye of the beholder? I might find a bicycle to be cold and alienating and a gold car to be pure and uplifting.
I would like to add that I greatly appreciate you for choosing "Hip Hip Hurra" of P.S. Krøyer as the last painting at 4:19. It is a personal favorite of mine :)
easy: you decide for yourself, and others decide for themselves.
Transubstantiation is only in the mind of those who believe in it. We are the ones that give material objects its value, hence we can also take it away from these objects. There is no need, for instance, that in order to be a more humble person, to have a watch that "hints" to ideals such as those mentioned in the video. We make those hints. We can get closer to these ideals without any material representation.
Thank for this video! That's what I needed now! You guys are too good!
I love the functionalist design of Dieter Ram. Nice to see this linked to "good materialism", though by now his products have become collectibles with according price tags that I find hard to justify.
I get your point, and I have tried to be that way, but unfortunately is so easy to justify the most unnecessary and ridiculous stuff with this mindset, that I'm just doing it because it can help me grow as a human being. this is more towards people who just want to get rich or have money, just to have it, not to use it in any positive way either for themselves or others.
Money is extremely underrated by those who don't have them. What's wrong with comfort and power?
Was thinking about this today. there's a great bit in fight club where brad mitt cites a dogma that "you are not your possessions. you are not your clothes, car, house, job..." ect.
Yes
There are lots of societies that are not materialistic...we call them third world. Pick your poison.
I've been to Cuba. It made me appreciate Canada.
abc123 what's it like in Cuba? (I'm in the US, not sure if that's relevant or not)
abc123 ...i personally like living in a 3rd world country. ...way less chance of getting obese & having to take a bunch of medicine.
Cindy Jones wow you're so ignorant. The Western world is like a f*cking paradise compared to the third world.
Cuba is still a "materialist" country. Non materialist would be Orthodox Christian communities, the Amish, Indigenous people, hippie/farm communes, ect. but I can see why people wouldn't want to live in those places.
The Parasites Of Your Sky who told you that? I live in india , which almost sends 20000 migrants every year to the US . Most of the people who go , go there to earn . It's a better place for those who want to earn . Plenty of smarter people choose to stay because the intense materialism in the US is poisonous to the slightly idealistic Indian . Nonetheless , both places are great .
Super relevant to what I've been reading over the course of the past week. Great job!
products are an expression of identity, companies and marketing tailor to self expression, you can literally "make yourself". I rather spend my money on experiences rather than on products "to appear better" in front of others.
The point is valid, but the video is too short to go into the way materialism is used against us and the way our values - embodied in material goods or not - are seriously out of whack. That is, nothing about society pressuring people into buying things they don't even want or need, or cater to their worst selves, so they can be "successful" or "better than others" - or even just get by. But, like I said... The video is too short to really go into all aspects of materialism.