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”