Pg 418 freewrite #3

I believe that Twitchell’s positive assessment of materialism is highly incorrect. “Materialism helps to push productivity and helps society move forward” (Beedles 390). I believe that is a pointless endeavor to produce expendable goods. What is the point of producing expendable goods that do not help society to sustain itself? So many third world countries are not self sustainable and we could aim our productivity to help these countries.

“Materialism does not crowd out spiritualism; spiritualism is more likely a substitute when objects are scarce” (Beedles 392). I believe that materialism can start to serve as a substitute for religion. People try to find the same feelings and comfort from materialism that religion should provide. Religion provides solace, self worth, and security for the soul. People use materialism to buy expensive things to for self worth. Should buying a Mercedes Benz be an acceptable strategy for an individual to feel self worth? I believe that self worth should come from family and friends, and materialism is a cheap way for an individual to generate self worth. When individuals try to self generate self worth, communities become distant and social capital rapidly declines.

When social capital rapidly declines, our community will start to deteriorate. The only way that society is able to civil and operable is because people care about each other. Materialism pushes people apart and pits people against each other. “Young ghetto teens have been known to kill each other for name brand tennis shoes” (Beedles 394). Does the potential for increased self worth validate the larger proportion of America that feels dejected? Materialism will never add to community bonding because materialism only survives if one group is ahead of another. Materialism should be outlawed and we as a society should find better avenues to attain self worth.