The importance of material possessions? - What do you think?

[Rebelde para Siempre]

Personally, one reason I hate the capitalist system is the fact that everyone strives for the best material posessions. Constantly working for things that won't exist when you are gone.

It's also a problem I feel will be part of socialism. Same deal really, except from what I know of socialism there will be 100% employment.

I have this whole philosophy about seeing working as a waste of time. Doing the same thing over and over, just for the sake of some paper, so you can go and buy some more worthless shit you don't need.

What do you think?

[mentalbunny]

Clearly we need material comfort to be able to fulfill ourselves mentally. Some people, however, don't see past theri possesions, is this because of the system or is this because of human nature? Are we just like magpies, hoarding things, or do we actually want to use our brains and do not need the most expensive thing to makes us feel happy?

When I know whether it is the system or our innate characteristics that define our love of material goods, then I will know how important they are.

[Rebelde para Siempre]

Well of course we all need some material possessions to get by, and they do provide a momentary thrill of getting something new.

But most of the time people take it too far, like the people who work their whole lives just for the sake of money. Wasting their lives they are. Constantly thinking of what they are going to buy next.

I guess it comes down to the whole concept of money. The source of all evil.

[Spartaco]

personally i don't think it is exclusively the system that drives people to want material things, it's also part of human nature. Anyways i don't think wanting material goods is negative, it is when someone wants to accumulate more that he needs and damage others for them that it becomed esasperated.

This is just a weird comment, but rebelde's post made me think how cool it would be to just live walking around in a primitive world and living off berries and other things i could find along the way...lol certainly less stressfull.

[redstar2000]

Political considerations aside, how "much" do you really "need" to enjoy "a good life"?

That's a very difficult question because, under capitalism, we are more or less constantly bombarded with propaganda...the message is that we are "missing the good life" unless we buy this or that thing.

Since we are not (I assume) rich, we mostly pass up these "golden" opportunities to live "the good life". But you could ask yourself: what would you do if you had an extra $500 a month?

Personally, I would rent an apartment in a building with quieter tenants. Otherwise, I can't really think of anything I want badly enough to go out and buy it.

:cool:

[Socialist Pig]

I believe that my life has more purpose than to aquire material possesions, regardless of what corporate propganda would have me believe.

[mentalbunny]

Well it's so easy to say that if I had more money then I'd do something good with it, like give it to a charity, because I know I can survive on the amount i have now, but I know that won't happen, I hate to say it but I'm a product of the system and I don't think I have enough discipline to draw the line as to what I need and what is plain extravagance.

[Anonymous]

material possessions are needed and urgent for everybody..

ofcourse one thing are material possessions other is luxury...
and this çlast one is in my opinion not needed, only in small scale, why to kill ourself for unsesseary materials such as gold (no use but pure luxury) and diamonds?

such small and unecessary things should be banned...

[mentalbunny]

the anarchist, if you ban them, everyone will want them. Isn't this obvious? What we really have to do is show people that these things do not lead to happiness and fulfillment, but instead enlighten them as to art, philosophy, literature, etc.

[redstar2000]

There's a story attributed to Lenin. Someone asked him what should be done with all the world's gold supply after communism was achieved.

Lenin suggested it be used to make toilet seats: it feels warm to the human buttocks, is easy to keep clean, etc.

:cheesy:

[Larissa]

Material possessions suck. Although I understand ppl need to have their roof, clothes, food, etc. But no such thing as DVDs are essential!
I don't care about material possessions, except for my books.

[Beccie]

Material possessions force people to be greedy. The immediate sense of happiness when one gains an item only compels people to buy more, it does nothing to fulfill your life. Commercial television is constantly telling us that our lives will be so much better when you buy a certain thing but once you get it is your life any better?

People matter, not unnecessary possessions…….

[Pickaxe]

It is beleived that many hunter-gather people spent very little time working for their living, Much of the day could have been spent relaxing, and only a few hours actually looking for food. Groups such as the San, ( i think) had no real possesions. I beleive materialism became a controlling aspect of life when sparse lifestyles like this were replaced with agriculture. The sense of possessing and owning was not a concept the hunter -gatherers had. The agriculturist, however, applied their newfound skill of possession to many more things that food.

[Spartaco]

Unfortunatly i think that if i had more money i would spend it on myself although i dont really need it. But objectively to lead a good life,if one wasnt pressured by the system to buy more, i dont think too many superflous ( i dunno if i spelled that right) things would be needed.

[Non-Sectarian Bastard!]

I have still not found a real tought on this.

But it's a pity that nowadays life is been controlled by the greed for possessions.

That's something that definatly needs a change.

[ravengod]

it s in human nature to strive for more and more
we cannot help it
it s mental
tahts why communism might face some problems
as it already has
especially the leaders used to have lots and lots of money

[peaccenicked]

Socialism is the language of priorities. Greed is different from desire. Communists in general oppose all forms of fetishness and seek all roundness amid the sea of specialities.
Greed is a very low part of the human range of emotion, and as it has become an enemy to humanity we should seek to restrict its power over others. I propose that it should be made criminal to act apon it except when it comes to alcohol.

[Umoja]

I'm more for finding internal "wealth" so, I'm sort of confused on this issue currently. So, I guess I'll need to think about this for awhile.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

Material posessions are necessary, to a point. Excesively, it leads to an entire population driven by greed, as found today.
How do we know that in communimsm we will continue to work endlessly and forget that we're earning just as much as everyone else. What if find ourselves unmotivated and driven stictly by our need to survive. Is this the goal? I think not. How would we overcome this potential obstacle?

[Umoja]

Spirituality, probubly some form of Humanism is what most of the people here would advocate.