Why isn't good enough good enough?

We live in a society where people are obsessed with the biggest, fastest, newest, most expensive, etc.

No one seems satisfied with ok, decent or good.

Why is that?

So many people demand the illusion of perfection which is why plastic surgeons do so well.

It used to be new couples started out in apartments furnished with their parents' hand me downs. now newlyweds demand the dream house with the Williams & Sonoma and Crate & Barrel furnishings right out of the box.

Me? I drive an 8 y.o. Camry with 129,000 miles. I don't ever wish for a new car, I hope this car lasts forever.

I don't want things. I want sex, alcohol and peace. The only thing I want excellence in is food. my wife is an excellent cook but even when she makes a dinner which is merely good I am appreciative all the same.

I don't demand perfection, don't want the newest and latest anything. Anyone else feel this way?

 

It's a damn shame too. People are trained to believe they gotta have the latest and greatest or they did something wrong. I've seen way to many friends and family crushed by dept because they were buying shit they couldn't afford. To me it's the worst thing that's come out of Capitalism.

Don't get me wrong I enjoy the things I've worked hard for over the years, but I've never been that materialistic. Fuck I didn't even have to catch all 150 Pokemon... I was cool with 43.

 

I tend to not even like the " the biggest, fastest, newest, most expensive, etc. " so why would I desire them.

 

I was born in the last year considered "baby boomers" (one of the biggest birth expansions the world has known). It was after WWI and WWII.

They had many, many "material things" their ancestors never did. They were given unbelievable and affordable "goods". Think of the price of gas and cigarettes at the time. Remember, penicillin was invented in the 40's.

The media just played on it all. And they still do!! They know "those kids" want it all.

And so, "those kids" have raised their kids to want, want, want - nothing but the best.

Some of us don't give a damn about status...I'm one of them and always will be.

 

was never one interested in keeping up with the jones. materialism is, in my opinion the least important thing in life.

 

Since I live on disability we have a tight budget but since I do not drive or have any drug addictions we have a few luxuries. My son worked and bought most of our electronics. I live in subsidized housing so rent is cheap. I am content with what I have. If I want nice cloths and jewelry, I make my own. I live better than some people with higher incomes just by not owning a car.

 

i don't know that most people are as obsessed with the newest/biggest/most expensive/etc as the media would suggest. the media, of course, suggests that buying new, expensive things is important because that is largely tied in with how they make their money.

of course, there are a lot of people that do think that way, i just don't think they're as common as you seem to be implying.

 

I understand what you are saying for sure but many people have different standards of what is good enough and their expectations vary so much.

 

I know so many people who are in debt, they enjoy all the latest and greatest items and luxuries and I couldn't imagine living like that. Deep down I would LOVE new things, I would love a new car or a new sofa (mine are over 12 years old)...I would love to renovate my kitchen (we've been here 8 years...new kitchen is not happening any time soon)....but I just can't see spending the $ when we don't have it saved up. Friends all around me are maxing out credit cards...owing on their line of credit, adding debt onto their mortgages but that would drive me crazy to owe. So I wait, and save for the things I want. We have no debt other than our mortgage ....we have retirement savings and live comfortably and we have a few different saving accounts for things we want down the road (like a new kitchen!!)...I just don't understand the thinking of those who go into debt because they wat it all *now*

 

My debt is my education.

 

People are animals obsessed with devouring other animals.

 

The only best of the best we strive to obtain is electronics. You really really do get what you pay for.

 

yes here in So Cal, it is ridiculous how luxurious and endulgent everyone is. My peers have the best make up, houses, cars, clothes, lessons for their kids, kid's activities, incomes, etc. The clincher is how much they TALK about it.

I'm simple and slow pace. Even with means, I don't slurge. I like the outdoors, pets, garden, tennis, and time. I find time to make time. Time is what I strive for the most.

 

I dig your thoughts... and why you posted in random thoughts.

I'll clue you in, for what it's worth. Cause... I HEAR you...

#fuckin one, bar none.... Turn off the TV. Most of your first two sentences emanate from there. The media and the illusion it feeds is at the root of that kind of thinking. It's not real, it's an addiction, like most others.

#2. Your last two paragraphs... that's the stuff right there. Those are the things I try hard to focus on. The things with intrinsic value.


I've got a truck with twice that mileage and is 19years old. It's just a tool. My motorcycles give me pleasure. But what matters to me is how I feel riding them, which is why I almost exclusively ride alone.

I learned awhile ago, and can't always live up to but I strive to...

function over form.

Money, fast cars, bullshit... can never buy you that meal your wife cooks for you.
Nor, your appreciation.
:love:

 

yeah, i guess i want certain things but debt is not one of them.

 

I'm alongside Voyage here. I own my house-not a castle,but it does me.I own my bike & my car-neither is new,but both are wholly owned. I couldn't name one single person in any 'soap',as tv bores me-every three minutes,more advert breaks. My guitars are all old,as are my amps.[I even still have wah-wah & sustain/echo pedals] This computer I'm using has an 11 year-old op system. I get 'advised' to update it constantly. But viruses trojans etc aren't written for 11 yo systems,so I don't get bothered..and I own 'books'!
[anyone heard of them?] Reference books,novels,language books-and I don't need to plug them in. Nah-keep your credit cards. I've never owned one. I like it here in 1950!

 

i want other people to want less.too.

 

I fit right in with most of you lot posting on this thread. I was self employed as a tradie for almost forty years in my country town of 3000 souls and am officially retired, however as my body is largely buggered from heavy work I now drive heavy vehicles for a day or two per week for part of the year to provide us with the funds to do whatever we wish. That's what we do. We have a twenty year old Land Cruiser, a nice caravan, motorcycles, our own home, some loving pets and we own the bloody lot. We have no debt, in fact we even have some money in the bank. Life's still a bit busy but I can live with that. The point is that we have our nirvana and live as we wish. There are a couple of hiccups but one always has a cross to bear.eace:

 

So you don't live in a house and you don't wear any clothes?