I was reading Mr. Money Mustache the other day – about his anti-consumer ideals and alongside it, his promotion of the stock market as a wealth building tool when a strange thought hit me. How could this man critique our consumer lifestyle on one hand and consciously use that same system to make money through the stock market on the other?
Fortunately I quickly realized that he gave me the answer to that question in one of his posts. He wrote about what would happen if everyone became a mustachian and how it’s a misconception that our economy is mostly driven by consumerism. If everyone became a mustachian he claims that it understandably would be a slow change that would allow our companies and economy to adjust without a large setback.
Overall a world filled with people that are interested in using the Earth’s resources in the most efficient and useful way would be better for everyone. And these people that understand that money and stuff can’t buy happiness would instead saving a larger percent of their money. That money would most likely then be invested in new companies that now value an efficient use of resources and hopefully actual value over money, which would provide investment returns from cleaner transactions.
Though the question still hangs heavily in my head: Instead of lamenting the ruthless pursuit of money that defines our current capitalist society and the moral dilemma of benefitting from buying parts of these seemingly ruthless corporations, I’ve tried to more closely define what it is about consumerism and our society that is so worrisome. It seems that our current corporations are encouraging the mindless consumerism that has wrapped around our world. The braindead, default, repetitive behavior that causes us to act without thinking.
This is understandable since this is the basis of our society: consuming, buying, replacing. But it’s not the only way. And I hope that in the future we can find a different way (though my pessimism declares it unlikely). Until then I will just be more conscious about the world I am buying into. But buying parts of companies is not exactly the same as condoning the current ways they make money. And though I personally feel happier being more of a producer than a consumer I do understand that a lot of other people either believe or actual are happier spending money unnecessarily and consuming everything in sight. It is not my duty to try and change their mind (though I do try with those that I care about). I just hope they can open their eyes and see that there is another way.