Materialism

Materialism is contrary to the practice of humanism, in my opinion. For example, in a recent radio story on NPR, a farmer was interviewed in Michigan. He presented himself as knowledgeable about the current issues of clean water regulations in his state. He uses a great deal of water for his orchards. An international corporation wants to drain water from Michigan for bottle water. It could negatively impact 30% of the fresh water tables in Michigan. The state legislature wants to institute a water trust, meaning that the water in Michigan's water tables would become a protected, publicly owned resource. This is based on scientific projections of water scarcity due to climate change.


Photo: Park Howell

 The intelligent, previously ecologically minded orchard owner states, " I oppose this...it could negatively impact the economy." Deciphering this statement and paraphrasing it: "I could lose money if I am found to be using more than my share of water." In other words, ecological awareness and activism is great, as long as I don't have to share in the cost. Materialism over consciousness.

This is common everywhere in American society. Billionaires, aware of the devastation of their capitalist practices on the nation, do not want to pay taxes to remedy those problems. Parents in cities and towns across America demand super-schools for their children, but they resent paying property taxes or income taxes. Educated women use fertility treatments which cause multiple births and also support political movements that decry national health care insurance, because it is "too costly". Elderly Americans scream about the "death tax" on their estates, while hiding their money in trusts to avoid paying for their own late-life care at a sizable cost to the public purse.

Materialism (greed) breeds hypocrisy and social dysfunction. Humanism, if practiced in daily life, entails living with a consciousness of and giving support to the greater good in society. For those fortunate enough to have material wealth, it means sharing it generously. For those without material wealth, it means living responsibly and within their means. Humanism is not just a concept, it is a way of life.