P. 418 #1

Materialism, as defined by Twitchell in Two Cheers for Capitalism, is “getting and spending” and he equates it to freedom, happiness, and meaning in our lives (389). America is the pied piper of consumerism and other countries scurry to catch up. In varying degrees, it is the ‘lifestyle’ we choose to participate in, regardless of social class. Even the poor aspire to a lifestyle of consuming; “what the poor are after is what we all want: association, affiliation, inclusion, magical purpose” (393). Materialism fulfills these roles for us because of the meaning we attach to the spending and getting.

Ultimately, the path America has taken and the choices that have been made and instituted have resulted in the lifestyles we possess. The Industrial Revolution and Capitalism paved the way. We no longer toil at home making our own bread and butter, we know go out and get it by having careers so we can bring home the bacon and buy what we need and want. And with these purchases we carve out our niche: the homes, the cars, the gadgets, the clothes- the things that define our lifestyle and place in our community.

I agree with Twitchell that there is a sense of ‘inclusion’ because of the neighborhood I live in and the things I consume. Our children feel this too. It was not long ago that my own grandparents who lived through the Great Depression; a time of barely spending for needs, little alone wants; had a goal in mind. That goal was to raise children who had it better than they did.

One piece may be missing from Twitchell’s writing, and that is the education and the hard work needed to “get and spend.” This lack of motivation is a definite negative to materialism. The precursor is missing when raising our own children now in the age of materialism. Possibly this is where the debt comes in : “easy credit = overbuying =disappointment= increased anxiety” (392).

Materialism will perpetuate itself. It is a “happiness” that makes the world go ‘round. I contend there are varying degrees of materialism. Not everyone desires to “keep up with the Joneses” (394). But we do desire to have a better lifestyle and be happy, which materialism can afford us in a Starbucks Latte or Mercedes Benz. Until a devastating event takes place and disrupts your ‘lifestyle’, you may never know the motivation behind materialism or the true value of the one priceless commodity : your life. In the meantime, be happy and decide if getting and spending runs your life.