Post-Materialism

I thought this Jesus creed postasked a good question. Do you see anyone’s behavior changing because of our recent financial woes? I have to admit that I have not witnessed any change. Those who I know without a job, they have changed, but that would be true of any time of unemployement. Then again, the crash of ’21 had a huge affect on the availability of goods. That is just not as true for the recent crash. Of course, some stores have closed, but we don’t see unfilled demand for simple prevalent goods.

While this idea of changing consumption has not been economically forced – I do think there are signs showing change on the horizon. The lack of trust in our economical system has broken with the last straw added. This lack of trust has created alternative ways of thinking about what we buy and why we buy it. Consumerism, as a way of looking at goods, seems to be dropping off. More and more people are concerned with sustainability and the ratio of money to value. Even value is being computed differently. Some status markers remain, but it seems that people are being more stringent on the areas they care about. For example, they don’t need a luxury car for a status symbol, but they do need the brand status symbol for their clothing. It all comes down to what they care about. However, it seems what they care about is shrinking. At least, in my own case it is.

As the care and desire for material things are shrinking, the care for non-material, the relational, dare I say the spiritual, are increasing. In a time where the markets cannot sustain a material economy up to the previous levels we are accustomed to, this is a natural development. And a healthy one.

Re-Negotiation

Dear Pat Robertson,

I know that you know that all press is good press, so I appreciate the shout-out. And you make God look like a big mean bully who kicks people when they are down, so I’m all over that action.

But when you say that Haiti has made a pact with me, it is totally humiliating. I may be evil incarnate, but I’m no welcher. The way you put it, making a deal with me leaves folks desperate and impoverished.

Sure, in the afterlife, but when I strike bargains with people, they first get something here on earth — glamour, beauty, talent, wealth, fame, glory, a golden fiddle. Those Haitians have nothing, and I mean nothing. And that was before the earthquake. Haven’t you seen “Crossroads”? Or “Damn Yankees”?

If I had a thing going with Haiti, there’d be lots of banks, skyscrapers, SUVs, exclusive night clubs, Botox — that kind of thing. An 80 percent poverty rate is so not my style. Nothing against it — I’m just saying: Not how I roll.

You’re doing great work, Pat, and I don’t want to clip your wings — just, come on, you’re making me look bad. And not the good kind of bad. Keep blaming God. That’s working. But leave me out of it, please. Or we may need to renegotiate your own contract.

Best, Satan

LILY COYLE, MINNEAPOLIS
NPR

---