"Of course. In its root sense, wealth isn't a synonym for money, it's a synonym for wellness. In terms of products, you are of course fabulously wealthy, but in terms of human wealth, you are pathetically poor. in terms of human wealth, you're the wretched of the earth. And this is why you shouldn't focus on giving up things. How can you expect the wretched of the earth to give up anything? That's impossible. On the contrary, you must absolutely concentrate on getting things--but not more toasters, Julie. Not more radios. Not more television sets. Not more telephones. Not more CD players. Not more playthings. You must concentrate on getting the things you desperately need as human beings."
My Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
Possesions are a prime directive of the American Public. You may not agree although I would love to hear the counter argument. The need for more is a poisen on modern society and the quest for wealth is a weakness that we have been passing on to our children. We raise them to believe that the path to happiness is through the gathering of wealth. There are of course exceptions but as it goes it only goes to prove the main point. We (americans) are polluting the planet with our drive for bigger and better. We pollute the sides of our highways with giant ads that obscure the view of the green. We tear down old neighborhoods and build hideous condos at every turn. We are a relatively young country that has zero sense of history. We believe ourselve to be the rightful heirs of the worlds resources. We must stop and reflect on what really needs to be done to not only save the Humans but perhaps the Planet. Even the greatest minds once thought that sure we may kill ourselves but the planet she's a tough broad and can survive our worse. That way of thinking is clearly a minority now we can in fact kill both. I won't say give away your possesions or to take on a radical turn in the way you live that's up to you. I will say we need to look at this from another angle. We need to teach our and all children that yes we screwed up but there is hope and if you take on the challenge we will do what we can to help. Do you really need that Hummer or Monster SUV. Do we really need more more and again more. I hope not. I truly hope that there is an awakening. For the sake of mankind and mother earth I hope and yes I pray.
'No man acquires property without acquiring with it a little arithmetic also. " Ralph Waldo Emerson