I'm thankful for my humble background. I grew up in the 80s in Europe in the lower working class. All I owned was a bicycle and a few sets of clothing, that's it.
Importantly, I was super happy. There existed already lots of stuff, but I was mostly ignorant about it. To me this has been a key insight. Apparently, I can have limited stuff and be just fine and happy, but as soon as you're exposed to new options, advertising as you say, trouble arises.
Two decades later, I learned that at least 4 years of that decade consisted of a truly deep economic crisis. Really? I had no idea. Couldn't tell. I find that hilarious to reflect on.
Things are a whole lot more complicated now. Not only are we bombarded with stuff, it's also a social effect. Even if you manage to be an anti-consumer, you still may have a wife/husband, and you can't deny your kids the stuff their peers have.
But still I try. I have stuff but when it comes to durable goods, I try to buy what I call "forever" stuff. My furniture will attend my funeral. Actually, it's such heavy oak that nobody can move it, so there's that.
My TV is 17 years old and delivers a perfect picture at my viewing distance. My friends laugh at me for not replacing it, but I'm not the mad man. They are. The picture is fine and I engage with what I'm viewing.
I actually had a time capsule moment. I buy very little, and the little I buy, I do online. So it had been a decade since I visited a mall. Just like young me, I was largely ignorant of what was out there.
Unsuspecting I enter a home decoration shop. My mind was blown. Endless shelfs of garbage where for most items I feel sorry for the person needing to produce this. Angry about the misuse of resources in a world with so many issues. And disdain for the clueless people buying these absolutely meaningless products that have zero utility or quality.
I went on to visit a BBQ shop. Apparently it's a science now, you can buy about 17 trillion accessories just to show others how very advanced you are at grilling meat.
This isn't wealth. It's a pathetic fetishization of meaningless objects. None that make you happy, it's always about the next one. Until you have so many that you can't even keep track of it anymore.
People sit in bullshit jobs so that they can afford garbage made by other people in bullshit jobs. Our economy is about keeping this circle going, regardless of meaning or happiness.
Stop buying garbage. Cook a fresh meal and enjoy it with your family. Then go for a walk in the forest regardless of the weather and leave your silly devices at home. Take it slow, make time for friends, stop ignoring your pet and read a good book.
That's happiness. It worked in the 80s, it works now.
This is a very contemplative comment from you, so thank you!
I'm much younger than you, so advertising really caught me in the ear with catchy jingles that rang through the playground.
With online advertising it's become a different playground. It's nearly impossible to find reputable products among the ocean of meaningless one-dimensional rating systems, virality speculation, and cloaked endorsements to name a few symptoms.
My only solution is the tried and true word of mouth.
I can point to maybe 5 personal items, all of which I could do without, that I discovered on my own, and I will stand by as my solid oaks.
As a rule, if I see an ad for your product, the only signal I get is that you have enough bankroll to get eyes on. I immediately distrust advertisements because desperation in market emergence or social manipulation is never an indicator of quality.
> Cook a fresh meal
Just made 5 servings of chicken curry tonight for about $10 ;) cheers.
Importantly, I was super happy. There existed already lots of stuff, but I was mostly ignorant about it. To me this has been a key insight. Apparently, I can have limited stuff and be just fine and happy, but as soon as you're exposed to new options, advertising as you say, trouble arises.
Two decades later, I learned that at least 4 years of that decade consisted of a truly deep economic crisis. Really? I had no idea. Couldn't tell. I find that hilarious to reflect on.
Things are a whole lot more complicated now. Not only are we bombarded with stuff, it's also a social effect. Even if you manage to be an anti-consumer, you still may have a wife/husband, and you can't deny your kids the stuff their peers have.
But still I try. I have stuff but when it comes to durable goods, I try to buy what I call "forever" stuff. My furniture will attend my funeral. Actually, it's such heavy oak that nobody can move it, so there's that.
My TV is 17 years old and delivers a perfect picture at my viewing distance. My friends laugh at me for not replacing it, but I'm not the mad man. They are. The picture is fine and I engage with what I'm viewing.
I actually had a time capsule moment. I buy very little, and the little I buy, I do online. So it had been a decade since I visited a mall. Just like young me, I was largely ignorant of what was out there.
Unsuspecting I enter a home decoration shop. My mind was blown. Endless shelfs of garbage where for most items I feel sorry for the person needing to produce this. Angry about the misuse of resources in a world with so many issues. And disdain for the clueless people buying these absolutely meaningless products that have zero utility or quality.
I went on to visit a BBQ shop. Apparently it's a science now, you can buy about 17 trillion accessories just to show others how very advanced you are at grilling meat.
This isn't wealth. It's a pathetic fetishization of meaningless objects. None that make you happy, it's always about the next one. Until you have so many that you can't even keep track of it anymore.
People sit in bullshit jobs so that they can afford garbage made by other people in bullshit jobs. Our economy is about keeping this circle going, regardless of meaning or happiness.
Stop buying garbage. Cook a fresh meal and enjoy it with your family. Then go for a walk in the forest regardless of the weather and leave your silly devices at home. Take it slow, make time for friends, stop ignoring your pet and read a good book.
That's happiness. It worked in the 80s, it works now.