Time to re-boot the blogosphere!

Thanks to all those who commented on the first blog.  Commonly people described being aware of the insidiousness of consumer spirit, but felt so embedded in the dream (symbolised in the previous blog by the iPad) that a way out was deemed improbable… or at least not a priority.  What is it about consumerism that keeps us engaged?  The simple Pavlovian positive re-inforcement that occurs immediately after purchasing an Apple product?  But what about the negative feelings after the joy of splashing the cash has faded?  And why do these negative feelings, that presumably accumulate over time, not lead to some sort of behaviour change?  Perhaps an awareness of excessive consumerism does not rate relative to other time pressures, priorities or ethical/moral issues?  Maybe people don’t want to, or don’t have enough energy to think about and change the way they behave? 

For me personally, I have already gone through my own personal development journey including over 20 years of personal journal reflection and a “sea change” to a rural/seaside area 100km from the commercial centre where most career opportunities lie (to which I commute 2-3 times a week).  This then raises the issue of whether I can or should try and change any further?  Should I sit back and accept “who I am”?  And if I still want to keep “growing” in a personal development sense, should this involve any environmental changes such as “downshifting”, changing job or moving further away from the city?  Despite the fact that I live in an idyllic location, have a beautiful family and a fulfilling job I still feel a need to let go of some of the negative aspects of my behaviour and beliefs… like my Apple obsession and an overly consumerist approach.  Should I try and do something about this, and if so, what?

Again The Sneetches tells all…

In Dr Seuss’ classic book, the Sneetches go through a series of progressively more manic consumerist frenzies.  They want stars on their tummies, then fashion (determined by what the other type of Sneetches have) dictate that they should have no stars, and so a seemingly unending cycle of purchasing stars and then removal of stars commences. 

All the rest of that day, on those wild screaming beaches,

The Fix-It-Up Chappie kept fixing up Sneetches.

Off again! On again! In again! Out again!

Through the machines they raced round and about again

Dr Seuss (1961)

At the end of the story (sorry to spoil the ending for those who haven’t read it), the Sneetches realise the absurdity of their behaviour and focus instead on what it is to be human; that is to love.

Perhaps my pursuit of personal development is in fact just another form of chasing a fashion?  Can an individual’s excessive focus on personal beliefs and behaviours be compared with the excesses of consumerism?  Maybe the focus for us all needs to be less on change (personal growth), and more on positive engagement with others. 

In the end does Aldous Huxley sum it up most accurately when he reportedly said:

“It is a bit embarrassing to have been concerned with the human problem all one's life and find at the end that one has no more to offer by way of advice than try to be a little kinder”

Welcome to Stars Upon Thars!

“Just pay me your money and hop right aboard!”

So they clambered inside. Then the big machine roared.

And it klonked. And it bonked. And it jerked. And it berked.

And it bopped them about. But the thing really worked!

When the Plain-Belly Sneetches popped out, they had stars!

They actually did. They had stars upon thars!”

Dr Seuss (1961)

On the way to work today, on a crowded train station, surrounded by commuters hustling for position, Dr Seuss’ prophetic words struck me.

An impossible absurdity… rampant consumer complicity… of which I realised I was part of.

The iPhone 4, the iPad 2 (which I have just guiltily purchased)… upgrade now… but the iPhone 5 is coming out soon.  Damn it…!

Apple’s growth strategy is based on the commercial principles clearly denunciated by Dr Seuss in a story book I loved reading as a child!

Growing up in a household with limited access to new books, I read the good doctor with a somewhat self serving satisfaction.  I understood what Seuss was talking about when the shrewd businessman arrived from out of town to convince the Sneetches that a star on the belly was “cool”, only to subsequently sell the image of no stars as the latest “upgrade”.  After cycling through a frenetic period of consumer madness (purchasing stars, then paying to have the stars removed, over and over again), the Sneetches were left exhausted, broke and confused as to whether it was “fully sick” to have a star or not.  Thankfully the Sneetches realised the folly of their ways, and as the businessman left town with all their money, they got on with enjoying life together… stars or no stars.

As a child I understood and passionately agreed with the themes from the Sneetches:

• Fashion can be fun
• But fashion linked with consumerism can be easily used to manipulate the masses
• Unchecked consumption takes us away from what it is to be human
• To be human is to lovingly engage with others

These themes have seemingly been at the core of my belief system all my life.  Yet slowly, imperceptibly, a sort of unchecked consumerism has invaded my life.  I have the latest iMac desktop, a MacBook laptop, an iPhone 4 and an iPad 2 which I enjoy using for work and pleasure.  Yet I find myself uncomfortably spending more and more time looking at a screen, including searching for web links on the next upgrade to my machines.  Although there are amazing benefits associated with my technology, sometimes I wonder if the associated increase in complexity is worth it.  Reluctantly, I find myself being proud of my Apple products.  They form part of my projected image… progressive professional, cool and connected academic, sleek businessman. 

Are these slick and sexy devices the new “stars upon thars”?  And if so, is this a problem?  Or should I get over my navel gazing and just get on with life comfortable that Dr Seuss’ warnings about consumerism don’t apply to me?