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Fortunately or unfortunately many more people will be confronted with this problem as affluence increases across the world. Once your material needs are met, a
by jackcosgrove 11y ago
Fortunately or unfortunately many more people will be confronted with this problem as affluence increases across the world. Once your material needs are met, a big motivation to press forward in your life is removed. There can also be some disappointment that your happiness level continually acclimates to wealth such that there is no big improvement in happiness, only fleeting thrills with each new purchase. Philosophy, identity, ethics, morality, and theology all take on practical significance once we have the luxury of reflection.
I actually think debt-driven consumerism is a sort of comforting treadmill for a lot of people, as they never need to change their way of living if they are continually on the verge of material deprivation.
On the whole this is a good thing though. Nothing forces you to be unhappy if your material needs are met. At that point it's all in your head.