Materialism

"The basis of all good things is a healthy economy." These words by Mitt Romney are the words of the wealthy, privileged capitalist. This cart-before-the-horse thinking is the luxury of the rich. 

The truly good things in life are peace, love and physical health. The wealthy, who are often very unhappy people, see their material success and security as essential to their existence. They then project this upon those who are not materialistic or wealthy. Unfortunately, due to their aggressiveness and wealth, they control government and the lives of others economically. 

This unjust reality lies at the heart of unbridled capitalism. A country controlled by capitalist materialism will inevitably be unfair and unjust. It will inevitably drift toward oligarchy and aristocracy. This is ancient wisdom, proven over and over again throughout the span of human history.

Willing victims of the system hum to their iPods and stare at their iPhones. Those who see through the lying promises of capitalist egalitarianism pitch tents and carry signs of protest. The latter are in the minority. This s why history repeats itself. The human tendency to conformity is one of the weaknesses of the species.

I write here of independent humanist practice. Those who stand up in protest tend to practice standing up to injustice in all areas of their lives. It is a hard road. It requires self-questioning, education and courage of conviction. It takes time and energy which could otherwise be devoted to creature comforts or making money. Humanist consciousness begins with an understanding that all human beings deserve basic human rights to pursue health and happiness. These pursuits require good health, good nutrition, dependable shelter and education. These pursuits do not require polluting cars, electronic toys or carrying huge consumer debt.

The only way to escape becoming a pawn of materialist capitalism is some form of practice, which counteracts the endless mental poison of commercialized media. This process has been part of my own humanist practice for decades. For example, I do not watch or listen to media which have periodic commercials for products. Now, in the age of Web search engines, listening to the inducements of television or radio commercials is counterproductive to being a conscientious consumer. 

Materialism is a choice. Selfishness is a choice. Mindlessness is a choice. Responsible social and ethical behaviors are choices. Practice is the attempt to shape the moment-to-moment choices with conscious effort.