Link to a Book Review
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')hree new books – one by a journalist, another by a sociologist and a third by an anthropologist – raise some important questions about our relationship with the ephemera of consumer society and how consumption habits are shaped by our search for deeper meanings. In a world of mass consumption, what happens to individual identity? And do we own the stuff, or does the stuff own us?
PeakOil is You
The search for meaning on the downward slope
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The search for meaning on the downward slope
by wisconsin_cur » Sun 07 Sep 2008, 01:22:54
And what will happen to this strange animal the 21st century Westerner, when meaning can no longer be sought through consumption? When there are no more cruises to Alaska, technological toys or fashion trends to emulate? Or at least none that are affordable?
We are meaning seeking creatures... however the neurology works, whatever the evolutionary advantage (if there is one) whatever the reason, this is what we are. This will not change with the declining production of petroleum or the known and unknown events that will accompany that decline. Where will we look for meaning? Where will we find it?
The possibilities are the usual suspects:
1)nation or tribe: It may not make economic sense to restrict trade or go to war against a neighbor but it does provide a person and people with a sense of meaning and identification... a negative one since we are against the "other," but meaning none the less.
2)Old religion: Converts are the most militant and conservative of religious believers. When people turn or return to church or mosque we should not be surprised if they do so with a fervor that turns them against many of the values of today. People are about to become disillusioned with the way they thought the world was... don't be surprised if they throw the baby out with the bath water.
Of course these first two are not mutually exclusive.
3) New religions and sects: Only rarely do these become significant but if we look through the annals of history we will read of plenty of small groups with "odd" beliefs that crop up from time to time. We should not expect the future to be any different. Some will retreat to perfect piety however they see it others will march confidently forward... perhaps even militantly forward.
4) ideology: I don't see any new ones waiting in the wings but it is hard to tell what new idea might catch on like wildfire. When people are convinced of the rightness of their cause and they find meaning in that cause they feel secure in any number of crimes they might commit in the pursuit of that cause. Maybe we will see are re-birth of some of the now unfashionable ideologies, maybe something new... either way look out.
5) (add yours here)
http://www.thenewfederalistpapers.com
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wisconsin_cur - Light Sweet Crude
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Re: The search for meaning on the downward slope
by phaster » Sun 07 Sep 2008, 02:04:41
in an ADD pre "peak" industrial world the masses have sought solace in minless pleasures, such as shopping at a mall, watching soap operas and reality TV shows with lots of interpersonal conflicts, while at the same time there has been a large population that has found some comfort in religion (i.e. the evangelical movement which is a darn big social group).
IHMO on the downward slope, its going to pretty much the same, there are going to be those individuals who find comfort in worldly pleasures and momentary escapes with sex, drugs and rock n roll and when these individuals burn out on momentary escapes, they may turn to religion (and vice versa).
IHMO on the downward slope, its going to pretty much the same, there are going to be those individuals who find comfort in worldly pleasures and momentary escapes with sex, drugs and rock n roll and when these individuals burn out on momentary escapes, they may turn to religion (and vice versa).
truth is,...
www.ThereIsNoPlanet-B.org
www.ThereIsNoPlanet-B.org
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phaster - Tar Sands
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Re: The search for meaning on the downward slope
by wisconsin_cur » Sun 07 Sep 2008, 02:49:43
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('phaster', 'i')n an ADD pre "peak" industrial world the masses have sought solace in minless pleasures, such as shopping at a mall, watching soap operas and reality TV shows with lots of interpersonal conflicts, while at the same time there has been a large population that has found some comfort in religion (i.e. the evangelical movement which is a darn big social group).
IHMO on the downward slope, its going to pretty much the same, there are going to be those individuals who find comfort in worldly pleasures and momentary escapes with sex, drugs and rock n roll and when these individuals burn out on momentary escapes, they may turn to religion (and vice versa).
IHMO on the downward slope, its going to pretty much the same, there are going to be those individuals who find comfort in worldly pleasures and momentary escapes with sex, drugs and rock n roll and when these individuals burn out on momentary escapes, they may turn to religion (and vice versa).
Thank you for picking out some big ones (sex/drugs) that I left out...
...perhaps there is a part of me that wants "too much" for people to look for meaning rather than distraction?
http://www.thenewfederalistpapers.com
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wisconsin_cur - Light Sweet Crude
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Re: The search for meaning on the downward slope
by Ludi » Sun 07 Sep 2008, 14:53:25
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('wisconsin_cur', ' ')When there are no more cruises to Alaska, technological toys or fashion trends to emulate?
If you've studied the history of clothing you know fashion has been important to humans for thousands of years, and that grooming and personal adornment are important to even the most "primitive" peoples. So fashion may not be quite as frivolous as it first appears, or if frivolous, it has still been important to folks for a long time. People find meaning in this way to be part of the group or to differentiate themselves from the group. I expect all trends of this type to become more regional and insular in the future. Regional costumes may redevelop as may regional accents. Trends will change much more slowly, as they did in the past when travel and communication was more difficult.
In my local area religion (Christianity) is already extremely important, so it's difficult for me to imagine it becoming more so except perhaps to the point of the community really insisting on everyone being a member of a church or face shunning. As it is now, if you want to be a thriving member of the community, it is probably necessary to be a member of a church.
- Ludi
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