NationStates Jolt Archive

Many groups, such as Christians and some Communists, seem to think that there is something wrong with merely being content with what you physically own and/or striving to obtain more pleasure through ownership. I understand some of these groups; for environmentalists it’s a pragmatic thing.

However, the religious and many humanists speak as if one can not be truly happy with a materialistic existence. I say bullshit. There is nothing spiritual or altruistic about my life, and I am perfectly content.

So, beyond a desire to protect “the environment,” what’s the point of railing against materialism.

What's wrong with materialism?

Doesn't matter.

I think it depends on whether you control your materialistic desires or if they control you. A person can't be content with material things if they are unable to enjoy the things that aren't material goods; I think a lot of people are unable to be happy without those things, and can't appreciate what isn't material so they are unsatisfied.

I like to have a new computer/TV/clothes/you name it, but I am also able and willing to enjoy the things that aren't material and can have fun without them.

I think a lot of people are unable to be happy without those things, and can't appreciate what isn't material so they are unsatisfied.
But really, what is there to appreciate that isn’t material?

But really, what is there to appreciate that isn’t material?

Energy. Matter is temporarily clotted energy. Bang, goes materialism.

But really, what is there to appreciate that isn’t material?
The love of a beautiful woman?

Many groups, such as Christians and some Communists, seem to think that there is something wrong with merely being content with what you physically own and/or striving to obtain more pleasure through ownership. I understand some of these groups; for environmentalists it’s a pragmatic thing.

However, the religious and many humanists speak as if one can not be truly happy with a materialistic existence. I say bullshit. There is nothing spiritual or altruistic about my life, and I am perfectly content.

So, beyond a desire to protect “the environment,” what’s the point of railing against materialism.

Crap, don't let Saint Jade see this! <_< >_>

But seriously though, no big deal on materialism.

But really, what is there to appreciate that isn’t material?

The abstract.

But really, what is there to appreciate that isn’t material?

Ahh, you're broadening your definition to include a lot more than I did. In that case, there aren't many things that are nonmaterial; however, things like nature, art, literature, philosophy, relationships, friends, games/sports/hobbies, and other things are easy to appreciate without necessarily owning them.

But really, what is there to appreciate that isn’t material?

Emotional attachment, I suppose. I don't keep a dog because I like picking up his crap, after all. I keep him because he's been part of my life and I've grown attached.

its all to do with how you look at things believe it or not your raised from childhood to be materialistic so its quite a chore to see it from the other viewpoint I can assure you though I no longer see things as materialistic and I’ve never been happier I suggest you try it

Yep, maybe we should define "material" and "matter" first.
We're not talking tiny little solid spheres here, are we.

piitb

chuck norris

chuck norris

random spammers there’s something that isn't materially made through copying and being sheep :rolleyes:

Yep, maybe we should define "material" and "matter" first.
Well, by material, I mean something that is enjoyed without the need for outside (in my view manufactured) attachment. A big screen TV, good food, sex, drugs, all these things I consider to be material, since one doesn’t have to make up emotions to appreciate them.

Being content isn't enough, though. Nothing great ever happens because people are content. Those who are perfectly happy with what they have don't strive for improvement. They don't change society for the better. They don't produce great works of art. They just lay around content and unmotivated to achieve higher goals.

Being content isn't enough, though. Nothing great ever happens because people are content. Those who are perfectly happy with what they have don't strive for improvement. They don't change society for the better. They don't produce great works of art. They just lay around content and unmotivated to achieve higher goals.

I don't see why someone who is happy wouldn't want to achieve more after all humans are greedy animals who like to do things

Well, by material, I mean something that is enjoyed without the need for outside (in my view manufactured) attachment. A big screen TV, good food, sex, drugs, all these things I consider to be material, since one doesn’t have to make up emotions to appreciate them.

Sure you do. You have to like them first. That's an emotion. Whether you like a concrete thing like dish of spaghetti or the lofty and intangible theory of radical constructivism.

In how far someone's attachment for a big screen TV is outside manufactured or not, is also debatable.

Wow--someone else who doesn't know what the word "materialism" means.

Materialism is the metaphysical position that only physical objects can be truly said to exist.

It has nothing whatsoever to do with valuing material goods.

Wow--someone else who doesn't know what the word "materialism" means.

Materialism is the metaphysical position that only physical objects can be truly said to exist.

It has nothing whatsoever to do with valuing material goods.

"Materialism" has both meanings. Hence the need to clarify what kind of materialism we're talking about.

Well, by material, I mean something that is enjoyed without the need for outside (in my view manufactured) attachment. A big screen TV, good food, sex, drugs, all these things I consider to be material, since one doesn’t have to make up emotions to appreciate them.

There's nothing wrong with it, although the first thought that comes to my mind is 'superficial crap'. Then again, ideas are all that matter to me, so I guess I must be the opposite extreme.

But really, what is there to appreciate that isn’t material?

Love, fun, joy, freedom, religion, morality. For each, his own. From anarchy to religious dictatorship, each set of values have many that are not material.

Some appreciate freedom over material values; some appreciate feeling of 'goodness' doing charity; some take material as most important

Wow--someone else who doesn't know what the word "materialism" means.

Materialism is the metaphysical position that only physical objects can be truly said to exist.

It has nothing whatsoever to do with valuing material goods.
Then what’s with all the commies calling suburbanites materialistic? Most of them at least pretend to believe in a God of some sort.
They don't change society for the better. They don't produce great works of art. They just lay around content and unmotivated to achieve higher goals.
Even if that were true, so what? In the end we’re all dead anyway. Why even bother with improving society and artistic endeavors? Why not just concentrate on making yourself happy for the brief time that existence allows you to?

Wow--someone else who doesn't know what the word "materialism" means.

Wow--someone else who doesn't know what the word "homonym" means.

The abstract.
But the abstract requires a material substrate.

But the abstract requires a material substrate.

I don't think it requires a widescreen TV though, which is what this actually appears to be about.

I don't think it requires a widescreen TV though, which is what this actually appears to be about.
It can require whatever the person in question desires it to be about, really. Subjective value preference and all.

*yawns*

Is this going to turn into another soapbox for BAAWA to castigate people for having thoughts of their own?

Just thought I'd ask about that before bothering to post anything of substance...

*yawns*

Is this going to turn into another soapbox for BAAWA to castigate people for having thoughts of their own?
Is this going to turn into another thread where you just whine about me for no apparent reason?

Yeah... see you tomorrow, folks. Have fun, BAAWA. Mebbe you can work in a few pages of Ayn Rand worship here and there.

Colour me bored to tears.

Yeah... see you tomorrow, folks. Have fun, BAAWA. Mebbe you can work in a few pages of Ayn Rand worship here and there.
I would have no idea why.

Color you trolling.

Being content isn't enough, though. Nothing great ever happens because people are content. Those who are perfectly happy with what they have don't strive for improvement. They don't change society for the better. They don't produce great works of art. They just lay around content and unmotivated to achieve higher goals.

Contentedness implies that nothing is wrong. If nothing is wrong, why bother to try and achieve higher goals?

You say that nothing great ever happens because people are content. I think people being content is great in itself. I strive for high contentedness in my life because what makes me content is good.

Ahh, you're broadening your definition to include a lot more than I did. In that case, there aren't many things that are nonmaterial; however, things like nature, art, literature, philosophy, relationships, friends, games/sports/hobbies, and other things are easy to appreciate without necessarily owning them.
In that case you can enjoy TV, PS2 and computers without actually owning them

There's absolutely nothing wrong with materialism so long as you control it and it doesn't control you. Because having stuff kicks ass.

Materialism imho leads to classism and unhealty competition, while justice becomes just another object. Cheers