Discussion1: The increasingly material world

In the modern day world, the source of happiness is taking a sad course downward. Not downward as in it's impossible to fill. If anything, it's more and more EASY to fill. The world is becoming excessivly material. Obsessed with the things we have, living in the moment has become the basis of what Pope John Paul II named the "Generation of Death."

While I grew up in Grade School, I was no very well liked. Even while this was quite obvious, I did have a few friends. Not all of them are still friends today, but that is beside the point. We're in diffrent colleges now. I developed the ability not to care about what my peers did, just the peers themselves. Due to that, I became more of an original person than many who claim originality and sneer at those who are so simila to others. It is the same concept as "Love the sinner, Hate the sin."

While we were kids, the "sin" and "sinner" part were not as apparant. aybe one of us went home crying in third grade because another kid was mean to us, maybe we got a black eye in fifth. After a few years at Catholic school, I turned my focus away from myself and toward the general good and what would be beneficial in the long run.

However, that is not how many people think. Most of the teens, and adults as well, want things for themselves. It may not be what they "need," but it is something that makes them feel good for the time they get it. If you get that thing, life is good. "As long as you are happy now" is something I hear often. What clothes are in style now? I personally don't know or care. Why spend a few hindred dollars of my money o clothes that are "IN" now if they're just going to be "out" in a few hours' time?

Consider the iPod. How many kinds of them exist now? I recently received one as a gift, and it is fun to have. But how often does a new one come out? And how often is anyone happy with theirs? If they have the recources, they will always buy the hottest model when it's hot out of the factory. Those who don't have the money for the new one will spend up money that could be saved for the future or on something more fucional just so they'll feel "up to date." I can undestand getting a video iPod if you make things like flashes. It would be nice to be able to say: "hey! check this out, it's my newest animation, Pizza Eater!" and just shove the headphones on my audience. However, reserving the newest model as soon as it's announced, especially if yours is already just as good, is simply unintelligent.

This living in the moment can be dangerous not just to your wallet but to your life. As I said above, people will often do what makes them happy NOW, not considering the concequeces later. Why is excessive drinking (especially when your GOAL is to become drunk) so appealing? It makes you feel good? I knew a guy (no names) who had a sister that had to get her stomach pumped. Very embarissing, not to mention the fact that it nearly killed her. Doing drugs? Marijuana, despite the so-called "safety" when compared to smoking cigarettes, still has side affects. The smoke sticks in your brain and reduces your mind's speed. Try getting a job when your new boss is putting you through a rigrous Q&A.

One thing that is the quintessence of this argument is the issue of Abortion. How does this process go? First, you fool around. Sure, it may be fun now. Got one life, right? live it to the fullest! Two, you're pregnant. Oh no... my boyfriend (if you had one) is leaving me, and my parents are so embarissed they're considering disowning me. Three! Abortion time! Well, I guess this is the rigt choice. It's my body, after all. Who's going to tell me how to treat it? Once this is over, life will be good again. Fourth, and most omitted, guilt sets in. Oh, no. Ohhhhhh, no. I did what I thought would help me, now I'm always feeling guilty about what I did. It's always on my mind. Should I go to therapy? I should have been smarter! If everyone was smart from the first, they would save sex for marriage and the procreation of children.

So is living in the moment so great? When your grades fail and you're all ou of money, I wouldn't think so. You have to be less material and superficial. By stopping and thinking "will I regret this," you may very well save yourself from a future of emotional trauma and constant bankruptsy.

>>>Thanks for reading! Please post what you think. The future posts on my thoughts will be more thought-out, trust me. Now, discuss, discuss! And live!<<<

Discussion1: The increasingly material world

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Addict 2007-10-11 01:12:11

K Mr.Biography-Of-Your-Whole-Frickin-Li fe-Man..

Shinpachi222 2007-10-11 01:12:11

ever read the whole thing? maybe the first third referred directly to me. way to think deep.~~applause~~

Lambinvoker 2007-10-11 01:46:51

It is difficult to comment on your essay due to a constant shift of one subject to another. I will try my best in spite of that.

I can understand your stances against materialism. The love of worldly possessions in excess is most certainly dangerous; however, simply desiring to obtain a certain sense of wealth and composure is not necessarily evil. People choose to purchase a variety of luxury items to provide additionalcomfort, make themselves feel better, and to boost their status in society. While one can argue that a social status is not important to some people, it is most certainly important to those who wish to make an impact in the lives of others. This can be done materialistically or on the other hand with piety. The reason people wear their best clothes to a formal event is to publicly show that they care enough about what they are attending to look their best. However, it is important not to view physical appearances as a sign of one's character, which is unfortunately the case in most circumstances. A person's outward appearance, formulated by their worldly possessions does not accurately reflect their true nature. For example a devout man, who attends a church for all the right reasons could be dressed either in complete formal attire out of respect or in rags out of humility. The same could be said about an evil man showing off in his best outfit of hypocrisy or deliberately choosing dress inappropriately out of spite. In otherwords, materialism itself is not to blame. It is the motives of the individual behind all of it.

While I would like to continue discussing more about your news post tonight, it has become too late tonight for me to concentrate any further. Until next time.

Shinpachi222 2007-10-11 01:46:51

Social status... what most humans crave for. Whether it's for attention or some other reason, it is the thing we strive for most. The one comment of yours in here that is sticking to the inside of my skull is this:

"While one can argue that a social status is not important to some people, it is most certainly important to those who wish to make an impact in the lives of others"

A person can NEVER care about social status and still ake the BIGGEST impact in another person's life. A good example is the film "A Walk to Remember." In that movie, we have a steriotypical live-for-the-fun-of-it kind of guy. He makes people do stupid things, wears the clothes in style, he doesn't care about those outside his own social circle, and is generally nasty. Enter the quiet, "socially ndeveloped," never-quite liked girl who sings in the church choir and who's father is a (highly protective) minister. At first, our boy is not kind to her, like so many other people. He makes fun of her and scoffs at her way of life. When he is forced to be in a play with this girl, our boy notices how kind she is. Even though he is mean at first, shewaves away his comments and agrees to help him with his lines. Over time, he himself changes, defending her when he would at first deny he even knew her. She had the lowest social status of all, and she brought him down from his high loft down to her ground level.

This story is echoed everywhere. Not just in films. By being the one who WON'T accept the social standards to affect other people, you may just find yourself the most influential person you can be.

Peace be with you

Fishhooks 2007-10-11 03:38:17

Ah young grasshopper, you still have much to learn. How original is the status quo? Whether it's a brand new iPod or a well established religion, suckers fall into either just the same. You devote your words, beliefs, and ultimately your entire life. The iPodists devote only their money.

Is abortion really that simple; is it like owning an iPod?

Living "here and now" means that one must think and accept the consequences of their actions immediately, and not wait until the afterlife. Thus, contrary to popular belief, living in the present requires more responsibility than living for the beyond. However, like most grand concepts, the true meaning is lost in a cliche among the masses.

You are ranting about irresponsible actions, and I agree, most people don't think about the consequences of their actions. But that is in no way can be singled out by a misunderstood existential concept. This is human nature, and the majority of it will be distasteful to those who think. I only ask that you think a little bit further, and a little bit more. Maybe try to remove any bias that you might have. Come back to the issue a few days from now and see if you can find another reason for the behavior, a new perspective. Objective thinking can be hard, but it has many rewards.

Shinpachi222 2007-10-11 03:38:17

I stressed money on the iPod, and Life itself on abortion. This is not as simple, eh? The lady getting an abortion could still have all her money intact and unwasted, but she did, in a way, give a piece of her life away to regreting that abortion. Plus, think of that life that could have been born and maybe adopted? Almost everyone who is "pro-choice" (a terribly flimsy guise against the harsher title "pro-abortion") has used this argument against me: what if that kid's life isn't treated well by their adoptive parents? I have met adopted children everywhere I go, and they are treated better than many biologically-related children. Why? Because the parents are so happy to have a child when they were not able to before.

As for the living here and now requiring MORE resonsibility? How is that so? When you live right NOW and that is all, where does caring for what's next comes into play? When a person lives outside of their own wants and carnal desires, they can look 360 degrees around themselves. What happened in the past to affect them later when they did this? What could the concequences be in the future? Instead of staying in that one part of the time line, staring at the ground you stand on, you look to where you may be standing soon. It requires resopnsibility to say "hey, this could affect me negatively very soon. If I smoke this/buy this/drink this, am I going to end up where I saw myself in a few hours/days/years?" Being responsable with your life means looking into the future and caring for that. When you are responsable for a child, ou look after the child and make sure she/he has a safe future. So must you be with your life. When playing Go, you must think two moves ahead. Don't think "this will protect my somewhat tough terriorial wall NOW," think "If I move here, they will kill all my stones over there and I will lose a HUGE opportunity."

This one was sorta n the fly, I'll really try and think objectively from now on. Thanks for reading, pal, and peace be with you!

KappaG 2007-10-14 23:16:07

Are you really only 18?

Shinpachi222 2007-10-14 23:16:07

yep. Freshman in college. Why?