Ample Funds, Scarce Brains
One supposes it's a matter of values ingrained in a society that views everything material as disposable as soon as newer models come on the market. A society surfeit with opportunities to purchase bigger and better, newer and more glamorous. A society privileged to live with ample funding to enable them to practise profligacy in favour of intelligent selectivity and careful spending habits.
By no means is this reflective of the vast legions of people living at or below the poverty line, but even they - because in a society such as Canada's poverty is a relative observation - will select 'brand names', strive to obtain the latest electronic devices, and live frustrated lives of aspiring to afford whatever wealthier Canadians so effortlessly claim as their entitlement.
Good wages, easy accessibility to luxury goods and lifestyles; public relations that teach people frugality is an unnecessary by-product of the unfortunate past, and ceaseless brainwashing through product and lifestyle advertising have created the atmosphere of desire, to acquire as many items as one desires, needed or not. One has an example to follow, the lifestyles of the celebrated, the rich and famous.
How vain, how self-involved, how pathetically thin is the veneer of our culture and value systems. That a regular feature item of general interest in a financial broadsheet highlights the economic situations of various people, recounting their lifestyles and purported needs against their incomes and liabilities, then experts in money management evaluate their opportunities and render sage advice.
The example of two newlywed 30-year-olds who between them share $164-thousand in annual wages, yet cannot seem to make ends meet sufficiently to save for a down payment on a house. Mind, they did spend their nest-egg of $50,000 for a wedding that they consider "so worth it", depleting their savings. And they do most certainly have monthly expenditures to account for, such as $160 weekly for take-out food, entertainment and drinks.
Oh yes, there's the allocation of $400 monthly for clothing, and then there's the $100 weekly for maid services. Sad, sad; they cannot see their way clear to saving the required down payment for the house they so very much would like to acquire. And, it would appear, their plight is a common one. Just the very fact that weddings themselves have become an industry in this frivolous society given to sumptuous display speaks volumes about common values.
From wedding planners to designer cakes, ballroom dance lessons, and all the necessities to ensure that one's wedding ranks among the season's social events. The rings, the flowers, gowns, photographers, stationer, musicians, party favours, reception and food, open bars, rental of furniture, and of course the de rigeur event limousine where only a Ferrari will do, have their monumental costs.
But think of the social status, the veneer of wealth and sophistication, the admiring and jealous reactions of family and friends; priceless.
By no means is this reflective of the vast legions of people living at or below the poverty line, but even they - because in a society such as Canada's poverty is a relative observation - will select 'brand names', strive to obtain the latest electronic devices, and live frustrated lives of aspiring to afford whatever wealthier Canadians so effortlessly claim as their entitlement.
Good wages, easy accessibility to luxury goods and lifestyles; public relations that teach people frugality is an unnecessary by-product of the unfortunate past, and ceaseless brainwashing through product and lifestyle advertising have created the atmosphere of desire, to acquire as many items as one desires, needed or not. One has an example to follow, the lifestyles of the celebrated, the rich and famous.
How vain, how self-involved, how pathetically thin is the veneer of our culture and value systems. That a regular feature item of general interest in a financial broadsheet highlights the economic situations of various people, recounting their lifestyles and purported needs against their incomes and liabilities, then experts in money management evaluate their opportunities and render sage advice.
The example of two newlywed 30-year-olds who between them share $164-thousand in annual wages, yet cannot seem to make ends meet sufficiently to save for a down payment on a house. Mind, they did spend their nest-egg of $50,000 for a wedding that they consider "so worth it", depleting their savings. And they do most certainly have monthly expenditures to account for, such as $160 weekly for take-out food, entertainment and drinks.
Oh yes, there's the allocation of $400 monthly for clothing, and then there's the $100 weekly for maid services. Sad, sad; they cannot see their way clear to saving the required down payment for the house they so very much would like to acquire. And, it would appear, their plight is a common one. Just the very fact that weddings themselves have become an industry in this frivolous society given to sumptuous display speaks volumes about common values.
From wedding planners to designer cakes, ballroom dance lessons, and all the necessities to ensure that one's wedding ranks among the season's social events. The rings, the flowers, gowns, photographers, stationer, musicians, party favours, reception and food, open bars, rental of furniture, and of course the de rigeur event limousine where only a Ferrari will do, have their monumental costs.
But think of the social status, the veneer of wealth and sophistication, the admiring and jealous reactions of family and friends; priceless.
Labels: Social-Cultural Deviations, Values
posted by Pieface @ 6:13 PM
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