The High Price of Materialism

More at http://www.newdream.org
Produced by the Center for a New American Dream

Psychologist Tim Kasser discusses how America's culture of consumerism undermines our well-being. When people buy into the ever-present marketing messages that "the good life" is "the goods life," they not only use up Earth's limited resources, but they are less happy and less inclined toward helping others. The animation both lays out the problems of excess materialism and points toward solutions that promise a healthier, more just, and more sustainable life.

Animation by Squid and Beard: http://www.squidandbeard.com

Learn more at http://www.newdream.org

View the sources for the research at http://www.newdream.org/resources/high-price-of-materialism-further-reading

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• center
• new
• american
• dream
• high
• price
• materialism
• tim
• kasser
• sustainability
• environment
• happiness

[ghosthusler]

Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need. We're the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War's a spiritual war... our Great Depression is our lives. We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off. 

[MeemawsMovies]

Since our schools rarely teach critical thinking, we let our TVs do the thinking for us. It tells us what to do, what cars to buy, where to go on vacation, what to eat, what movies to watch, what clothes to wear, how to talk, look, act... because apparently we have forgotten, or never knew how to think for ourselves. We need to pick up books, read and think, or lose the one ability that will save us. The ability to THINK.

[tunisieconso]

Neat, love it

[simelwin]

[citation needed]

Beautiful illustrations, positive message, pathetic delivery. People need to stop with the pretense of well-researched theses with "Research consistently shows..." and "Scientists have found that...". Frankly, all this pseudo-scientific nonsense fools no one.

[HSMauberley]

Late capitalism: spend money you don't have on things you don't need to create impressions which don't last on people you don't care about.

[scott4979]

at least mention that your robbing this from fight club.....

[aNaturalist]

I'd like to say thank you to the creators of this video and the people who posted it. I believe that the advice in this video is 100% correct!

[norbikes]

this is such a lame, facile "explanation" of what "ails" us. It gives cartooning a bad name! Simply one lib's take on life as he knows it, no references to back up his glib assertions. Talk about condescending----listen up all you yahoo philistines, here's the score! Do as I say or live a miserable, unfulfilled life. And vote Democratic while you're at it! Gag me!!!

[jp3eku]

This is a Great Video! Perfect in every way! Great choice of words, fantastic renderings, superb pace throughout! Very Nice work Sir, Bravo !

[GuydoRitchie]

@MeemawsMovies I read an article that google decreases memory capability (why remember when u can google, y'know)... I think this is inevitable because there is too much information and the amount is still growing... Good THINKING ( ;) ) about thinking for yourselve! Getting started is the toughest part though but GOD do I love judging for myself! I think that is a part of freedom. Free thinking without those ads who push-2-buy

[bladder1010]

@Psychomania797 What? You mean besides all the vapid assertions, baseless claims, silly Malthusianism, and laughable self-serving "studies"? Here's a better question: Why don't you give us one good reason why this video ISN'T complete bullshit?

[Psychomania797]

Why is everybody hatin? This guy does not tell you to stop buy goods (as he did with his markers and stuff) He just shows you the fact that we are controlled by this advertising and media and stuff and that we should be aware of that. I totally agree with this guy, and I have xbox and playstation at home.