Greed/waste America's insatiable appetite for everything bigger, bigger at any cost, any price and a complete lack of concern for any ramifications that may ensue. If you could make an image after reading Berry's essay it would look like a you and me. Greed does not stand out, it is hidden, masked, it is in the mind, it is more like a disease or addiction not something you truly visualize. Americans overload everything, we cannot simply be happy with what we have, we have to supersize it,maximize it, and optimize everything we use. We cannot have a simple, ecomony fuel efficient car, instead we must own the huge fuel consuming 4x4 SUV esalcade although we don't live near the mountains or need to pull a trailer, it just looks hot and cool. No concern for how much fuel it uses, nor the impact it causes on our current oil resources, why do they need to worry about it, "by the time we run out of oil, I will be dead." That is the philosphy and mind set of the America consumer when making important car buying decsions, it is greed and waste pure and simple. It isn't just about car and automobiles that use fuel, but things American's tend to forget about that make a huge impact, is our greed for wasteful packaging of products. We want our products packaged in plastic, indivdualized and resealable. Americans rather then take the time to purchase storage containers, demand for plastic resealable packaging for a small individual one-time use portion. Water products are a good example of waste. Manufacturing companies create wasteful packaging not only for consumer demand but for their own greed as well. The greed for companies to get their products seen at any cost, no concern for enviromental impact, or need for more oil in its manufactory process. Greed is seen in all levels and across the boards and in all areas, becomes the waste that will ultimetely be our dimise. It is sad that no one stops to look at the end result of greed and see the impact of our future. The "who cares it ain't my problem" attitude is extremely disturbing and selfish. We are a wasteful greed nation and if you want to see an good example just go to your local supermarket and walk down any aisle to see for yourself the number of products that are duplicated and the numbers of products that are packaged in oversized containers just to catch your attention hopefully. We as a nation need to set a new gameplan for the future and our future generations, we need to look at the BIG picture, make a commitment to using less and wanting less. Leave the big flashy gas gusseling huge SUV's and everyone use ecomomic fuel effiecent cars because they want to make a difference in the future rather than impress their neighbors. Waste and greed, what would the pilgrims think of us if they were here today, they would be disappointed in our choices for sure.
I completely agree, waste and greed is exactly like an addiction and a disease. Compared to your generation, mine is the epitome of this. Everything for us is now, now now and more, more, more.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you illustrated greed as each and everyone of us. I also like how you describe Greed's masked nature; it can be hidden a lot of times, yet ever-present. Piggy-backing off of Lindsey's comment, I can't wait to see what our kids are going to be like if we're even greedier than the generation before us. I like to have hope, but I guess we'll just have to see.
ReplyDeleteThank you both Lindsey and Julie for your comments. I do feel bad that it seemed that your generations were perhaps more greedier and wasteful then say perhaps mine. I didn't even think of it that way at all. LOL I was actually thinking it was more mine. The "Baby Boomers". I was thinking that my parents went through WWII and they know what it like to have nothing and what it takes to scarfice, I remember hearing stories about the women not wearing stockings to conserve nylon and collecting rubber tires for the war effort and gas rationing. I think my generation backlashed and rebelled, since it is truly my generation that has the money to waste on the gas gussiling cars etc. What I think happened with your generation was you saw us parents not really concerned with the waste and well, just sort of continued the trend...I have high hopes for your generation, I am hoping that the word gets out about conversation and waste and you all put your foot down and "Just say no"! Thanks again! :)
ReplyDelete