We are driven to want bigger houses, (new kitchen, ensuites) newer cars, big entertainment centres and new computers. And we want them now! According to one survey, nearly 90° of people agree with the statement "Humans always want more, it is part of human nature" but this is not my experience of human nature..
How is it that when it comes to charity, it is the poorer communities that give most!Perhaps because the Iess rich know what it's like to be down on their luck and have things go terribly wrong Perhaps the rich have already forgotten or bought the lie rhat they deserve their wealth that it's not luck but hard work.
If this was the case, the richest people would be those who work the longest hours at the toughest jobs - I don't think that's how it works. Some economists argue that greed is good for our society, that if we don't keep wanting more, we won,t keep buying more, that we need to keep consuming to sustain the economy
But does it help our society if we are encouraged to be dissatisfied with what we have; always wanting more
Dissatisfaction surely leads to insecurity, frustration, envy, anger and (general ill health). This seems to contradict a sense of community - working together for a better life for all. We all know people who live simply with few resources, yet still manage to share what they have with others.
"A generosity of spirit" springs to mind. I know I want to be part of a society that looks after its own and looks outward to the needs of others.
As John F Schumaker writes in The New internationalist: "In the end unchecked greed erodes freedom ,undermines the social fabric and is an undemocratic social force."
I'd have to say, I agree.