Most good things, taken to an extreme, become terrible in some ways. In this case, consumerism -- the United States, and increasingly the world, have taken cons

Most good things, taken to an extreme, become terrible in some ways. In this case, consumerism -- the United States, and increasingly the world, have taken consumerism to an extreme. Our culture has been systematically shifted by laws, advertising, taxes, and our own desires to drive us towards making and lusting after purchases. We enjoy a high quality of life, and many amazing technologies, in part due to our rampant consumerism, but the side effects may not be worth it.