Discuss: The Gospel of Consumption
190 comments
How are we to begin talking about this real issue regarding the human population, much less meaningfully acknowledge the problem posed by skyrocketing absolute global human population numbers, if experts willfully refuse to speak out about either human population dynamics or the unscientific foundation of demographic transition theory. The former is assiduously ignored, even though it appears to explain why human population numbers have been exploding in our time, while the latter has been broadcast ubiquitously during my lifetime, even though the theory of demographic transition could be misleading all of us by giving rise to a false promise that human population growth is somehow about to come benignly to an end soon. The silence with regard to human population science as well as the broadcasts of preternatural pseudoscientific thought regarding the demographic transition theory are significant forces with which we have to reckon, I suppose.
Let us consider on one hand we have the denial of science and on the other we have steady, relentless broadcasts of what is preternatural thought. Most importantly, we note that desire-driven, ideologically based, logically contrived, unscientific thought is seen and heard everywhere in the mainstream media defending political convenience, economic expediency and the status quo. Is this not the sum and substance of mass media ecology?
How is it possible for top rank experts with responsibilities to science and duties to humanity to be adamantly advocating for more “food production to feed a growing population” and yet be failing to mention the profound implications of skyrocketing absolute global population numbers? For such a thing to be occurring in 2011 appears preposterous. It is morally outrageous and dangerous both to future human well being and environmental health, I believe, for well established experts to be reporting ubiquitously in high-level discussions and the mass media such things as are directly contradicted by unchallenged scientific research of human population dynamics and human overpopulation. Is it possible that population experts are not aware of peer-reviewed, published research in their area of expertise which indicates the food supply is the independent variable and human population numbers is the dependent variable in the relationship between human population numbers and food supply? It appears to me that many too many experts are regularly reporting attractive preternatural theory regarding the human population that is directly contradicted by scientific evidence.
According to consciously ignored research of Hopfenberg and Pimentel, the food supply is the independent variable not the dependent variable. Human population numbers is the dependent variable not the independent variable. The believers in demographic transition theory and in the idea that “we must increase food production to feed a growing population” could be mistaken. The false promises of the demographic transition theory, that population stabilization will somehow occur benignly and automatically a mere four decades from now as well as the upside down thinking that human population numbers is the independent variable and food supply is the dependent variable, present crucial misunderstandings which are being deployed by self-proclaimed masters of the universe among us for the purpose of protecting their self interests as well as for directing the human community down a patently unsustainable “primrose path” no human being with feet of clay would ever choose to go, much less send unaware and unprepared children.
The uncontested scientific finding of the relationship between food supply and human population numbers is being obscured and denied by the very experts upon whom the human community relies for guidance and direction. Denial by ‘the brightest and best’ of what appears to be the best available science regarding the relationship between food supply and human population numbers has been occurring for too long a time. This failure of many experts has to be acknowledged and put behind us so that momentum can gather to move the human family in a new direction; so that we can begin making necessary changes toward sustainability.
In his essay, “Boredom,” Siegfried Kracauer writes about “doing nothing” as a kind of space that is distinctly and necessarily separate from the commodification of everyday life implied in Kaplan’s article. Being bored is a good thing, according to Kracauer, because it allows one to still be “in control of one’s existence.” But we’ve been conditioned to avoid boredom, perhaps because it can’t be sold ...
People in society today have become so conditioned to work and more work to further their wants and desires when it comes to materialistic things. We continuously want the next best things, instead of being satisfied with the things we do have. We lose sight of what truly matters in life. When people are younger they get interested in hobbies or some sort whether it is scrap-booking or some sort of a collection, how come when we get older and start working we seem to lose all those things that interest us and/or make us happy? I think the fact we lose sight of those things we try to fill the void of having nothing to do with more work. We need to remember what truly matters in life, those around us that we love and the things that make us happy.
This writing does wonderful things to expose the underbelly of american society. The way it examines the inerworkings of american economy brings many things to the table. This should be required reading for everyone in the U.S.
This is a very interesting article. I think that this is an excellent short history lesson of consumption in America. I would say this isn’t a typical anti-consumption rant, it’s a actually pretty good one in my opinion. He discusses how the consumer society has changed in the last century, and how they were created. In 1920s the invention of “labor saving” machines brought led to an idea of shorter work days and more time for people to become better citizens. Rather, industrialists and politicians began to use the magic of advertising therefore leading to more production and even more work.
One key element which the overwhelming majority of the population of human beings, wealthy or in poverty, does not understand is that people will unknowingly purchase uncontrollably without hesitation or concern as to whether or not they can need it or afford it. Corporations have mastered the science behind attracting the consumers; so much so that consumers will give in, no matter what. Everybody wants to have the shiniest shoes and the fastest car. Consumerism is psychological warfare. Corporations will always control consumers if they continue to produce the next best thing. We, as consumers, fight it, but will always lose if we continue to ignore persuing things we actually need, rather than wasting money of the everlasting production of wants which we rationalize into the we need.
How are we to begin talking about this real issue regarding the human population, much less meaningfully acknowledge the problem posed by skyrocketing absolute global human population numbers, if experts willfully refuse to speak out about either human population dynamics or the unscientific foundation of demographic transition theory. The former is assiduously ignored, even though it appears to explain why human population numbers have been exploding in our time, while the latter has been broadcast ubiquitously during my lifetime, even though the theory of demographic transition could be misleading all of us by giving rise to a false promise that human population growth is somehow about to come benignly to an end soon. The silence with regard to human population science as well as the broadcasts of preternatural pseudoscientific thought regarding the demographic transition theory are significant forces with which we have to reckon, I suppose.
Let us consider on one hand we have the denial of science and on the other we have steady, relentless broadcasts of what is preternatural thought. Most importantly, we note that desire-driven, ideologically based, logically contrived, unscientific thought is seen and heard everywhere in the mainstream media defending political convenience, economic expediency and the status quo. Is this not the sum and substance of mass media ecology?
How is it possible for top rank experts with responsibilities to science and duties to humanity to be adamantly advocating for more “food production to feed a growing population” and yet be failing to mention the profound implications of skyrocketing absolute global population numbers? For such a thing to be occurring in 2011 appears preposterous. It is morally outrageous and dangerous both to future human well being and environmental health, I believe, for well established experts to be reporting ubiquitously in high-level discussions and the mass media such things as are directly contradicted by unchallenged scientific research of human population dynamics and human overpopulation. Is it possible that population experts are not aware of peer-reviewed, published research in their area of expertise which indicates the food supply is the independent variable and human population numbers is the dependent variable in the relationship between human population numbers and food supply? It appears to me that many too many experts are regularly reporting attractive preternatural theory regarding the human population that is directly contradicted by scientific evidence.
According to consciously ignored research of Hopfenberg and Pimentel, the food supply is the independent variable not the dependent variable. Human population numbers is the dependent variable not the independent variable. The believers in demographic transition theory and in the idea that “we must increase food production to feed a growing population” could be mistaken. The false promises of the demographic transition theory, that population stabilization will somehow occur benignly and automatically a mere four decades from now as well as the upside down thinking that human population numbers is the independent variable and food supply is the dependent variable, present crucial misunderstandings which are being deployed by self-proclaimed masters of the universe among us for the purpose of protecting their self interests as well as for directing the human community down a patently unsustainable “primrose path” no human being with feet of clay would ever choose to go, much less send unaware and unprepared children.
The uncontested scientific finding of the relationship between food supply and human population numbers is being obscured and denied by the very experts upon whom the human community relies for guidance and direction. Denial by ‘the brightest and best’ of what appears to be the best available science regarding the relationship between food supply and human population numbers has been occurring for too long a time. This failure of many experts has to be acknowledged and put behind us so that momentum can gather to move the human family in a new direction; so that we can begin making necessary changes toward sustainability.