Do you think that North American society has become too materialistic?
451029
question itself gives the answer in the sense the questioner itself is in little confirmation abt it or in another sense is in delima about the North Americans materialistic values.He/She just needs the confirmation
957710
Yes!  It is high time and overdue.\n\n"The illusion of freedom [in America] will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater."\nFrank Zappa, musician and cultural iconoclast\n\n\nRefer to http://www.conspiracyarchive.com/News
1026966
very.  to fix is you need to redefine a nation's priorities.  change from what i want (something to entertain me) to what they need (the need for basic items to live).  interesting question to pose to the most selfish and self obsesed people in the world.  (not every american is like that, but i think as a nation we are).
884523
I think today, more than ever before, money determines class--those that have not (like me) would probably make up the laboring class until technology either removes the need for such a class, or society (the socio-economic entity) evolves to the point where the distinctions become irrelevant...
1150601
You seem to have made a conclusion from unknown and probably insupportable reasoning, then from a false premise, asked a question.\n\nGreedy? How so? \n\nIf so,  is America really more greedy than any other country? How?\n\nIs it wrong to make a profit? Is it wrong that everyone in the world beats a path to the door of Microsoft?  Is Bill Gates gouging them, or is he offering them something of value? \n\nI agree that Americans, in general, are too materialistic, but your statement or conclusion is a far step.
1152250
I think money is great when it comes to buying the essentials such as a home, and food, ect., but when it comes to material items I think we should learn to live without it. Some people try to buy other people's love or friendship...and that isn't right.
709949
I'm certainly open to exploring the idea, especially the healthcare side of it. America has become close-minded and slow to evolve compared to Europe, Canada and Australia. If we think our form of government is the best there'll ever be and never strive for more ... well then, we'll just flounder and implode like every other empire.\n\nPeople hear the word "communism" and they think it's a religion or form of government. Noooo, it's an economic system, and if they'd actually READ something like Marx and Engel's "Communist Manifesto," they'd have a clue what said gentlemen had in mind. It may not have worked in practice, but there are IDEAS there of significant value, and we can't write them all off just because they're associated with something other than capitalism.\n\nMcCarthy is dead; move on.
293001
I think society in the US is selfish and materialistic.  In general, we tend to judge by looks, not by the inner beauty.  We look for convenience as we tend to be lazier.  This once Christian nation is now more heathen than it ever has been.  We are a lost culture who picks up anything that sounds good to them and agrees with what they believe.  The fact that we are more acceptant of homosexuality, divorce, affairs, pornography, etc., shows how lost and shameless we are.  It is really sad to see where we came from (the founding of America and the writers of the Declaration of Independence and how far we have fallen.  It is truly sad to see what we have become.
499656
I'm guessing you've never been to America.  I've traveled through most of Europe, the standard of living is nowhere even close to that of America.  There are a few cities that have a different standard but are on par with the USA. As far as being relevant...Yes the USA is a major purchaser of European goods and their economies are interlinked.  If the US economy fails so will be the fate of Europe's just as if Europe's economy fails so is the fate of America's.
935149
Absolutely!  I'd love to see America become entirely capitalistic.  Frankly, I'm sick of being forced to sacrifice my own needs and wants for those of someone else.  Want a hand out?  Hit up the Salvation Army.\n\nUnfortunately, the bleeding hearts here just can't stomach making someone take responsibility for his or her own actions.  Even more unfortunately, we'll probably always be the ones stuck picking up the slack.
772291
Your problem is the desire you hold for these things. Many people work hard for their money. They also value possesions. Seriously though none of it will be here in the future. Things come and they go. Better jobs that pay more to better cars and other stuff. Or, we may be just like the Romans and fall back to primitivity. Who knows? Just get your kicks while your here and try to just do stuff for everyone else. Give of yourself to others and you will find that friendships mean a hell of alot more than stuff or cash...
50437
In my not-so-humble opinion, I see the standard of living in the USA taking a dump.  Look at the actual quality of life, the hours spent in a commute, the elimination of affordable housing.  In this age of online degrees, imported doctors, and idiotic health care, duplicitous Enron executives, can the system still function when more and more people are added?  To be frank--my concern is that America is becomming 2nd world.  Our time has come and gone.  I guess it will be interesting to see what happens in China....\n\nNot to mention places like Africa, where HIV has made such an impact.  How is the world going to care for all those people? Or will the suffering continue????\n\nMy theory is things never get better until they hit absolute rock-bottom.  Nature will have to step in and trim the trees so to speak.  We will never, as a race of beings, voluntarily reduce population.  Humping is just too darn fun and easy....\n\nI guess to summarize, I think the resources are not enough to maintain the standard of living we have.  The more and more people that are added, the lower and lower the living standard goes.  You will end up with an elite rich class which owns everything, the middle class will be abolished, and everyone else will be scraping by.
656325
greed........ it will be the undoing of us all. It's probably too late to do something, the hippies of the sixtys have sold out, gave up and are now part of the problem. \n\nI doubt we will ever see such a socially conscience generation again.\n\nThe giant corporate pigs have taken over almost every free country on the planet. It's over unless money goes away. Otherwise, corrupt attornies and corporate turds will rule, and milk us for our blood. \n\nThink about it. Govenments give BILLIONS of dollars of tax breaks to ONLY the richest. Working class people are DOOMED.\n\nI must add RIPPER IN THE SHADOWS, you and YOUR attitude are the problem... go to he ll you idiot. You're LOST dude.
907327
You are absolutely right but unfortunately I don't see it changing anytime soon. History has shown us time and again that as the gap between the haves and the have nots widens, empires crumble. America will ultimately complete its cycle as the dominant world empire and some other empire will rise up to take its place. If our "corporate leaders" were not so focused on short term profit maybe the process can be slowed down somewhat. But in our present economic climate, where worldwide corporations have no allegiance to particular nations, I don't see that happening anytime soon
731135
No such thing as too much money in a free market capitalist system. Hmmm what would you suggest happen? Income redistribution, give some to the poor folks? Nope, they can go to work and make there own!\n\nDonna H down below me, for your information rich Americans are the most benevolent givers of any nation. We give to charities every year more money then the gross national product of most nations on this planet. So don't say they don't give anything back because that my dear.......is a lie!
340697
I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for, but I'll try to help.  I'm in high school still, and I think a major part of our culture, unfortunately, is based on commercialism and materialism.  American youth now days is concerned more about looking good than about feeling good.  Our opinions on issues that matter (like illegal substance use and relations before marriage) are much more casual than previous generations, and we don't take a stand for what we believe in.  However, American teens seem to be very ambitious.  They/we have goals that we set for ourselves, and want to reach them.  Most of us realize that education is the way to go.  In my opinion, what our generation needs most, is more awareness.  We need to know what's going on in the world, not just in school.  I think a sense of responsibility and concern would come with more knowledge, and that could lead to more people helping others, and eventually, a better world.
297402
Excellent observation.\n\nPretty soon there will be only very wealthy and poor individuals/families.  There is no job security anymore so how can anyone buy a house or other objects related to the "American Dream"?  The American dream has evolved into a nightmare.