The answer is “no,” for several reasons. The basis for any group is survival. In the human group, the basis for survival is commerce. We trade for what we need to continue living. This used to mean goods or services exchanged for good or services. This method is not always efficient, so it evolved into trading money for goods or services. Since money in the States represents items yet to be purchased, little has really changed. It also means that there must be a reason to exhange. For certain things, like food and medicine, the answer is self-evident. But for items like soda, shampoo, and video games, a case must be made. A desire must be emplanted into the mind in order for one to be compelled to purchase such items. When one remembers that much of the population is unhappy with their station in life, the answer becomes pretty clear.

In his book The End of Education, Neil Postman does a wonderful job explaining comsumerism as a god that we serve. Although it is a false god, its requirements are as demanding as any real one. Its worsippers are the followers, and although consumerism promises happiness, achieving it is a constant chase.

Heres the scenario: A person led to believe that following will result in a safer life gets frustrated with the futility of such a life. So, out of boredom, they turn back to the television where, while they are still being taught to follow, they can vicarously be a leader. Unfortunately, watching Leaders in action will not always inspire; it may frustrate. This is where the commercial break comes into play. Here is an unhappy person, full of pent-up energy and seeking a way to become happy and add meaning to their life. Now they are told that buying such and such an item will make them happy. Of course, they are not told that outright. Just like the cartoons they watched in their earlier days, commercials are propaganda. Many are very good at being subtle about it. They all tell a story and the story is: “If you dont buy this, you will be inconvenienced or ridiculed. People who own this product are better off than you.” Does it matter if ones life was not inconvenient before hand? The seed of doubt (Am I good enough? Is my life as full as it should be?) has already been planted. Who hasnt felt the nagging of an effective commercial? All of a sudden, we want gum and new shoes. Unhappy with your hair color? Change it. Now that thats taken care of, what about your pants? And so on. Tv certainly wouldnt lie, would it?

Leaders, of course, are not exempt from this cycle. They are divided into two camps: the ones who serve this god as a matter of status (I can afford these things, so I must buy them and show them off.), and the ones for whom satisfaction of their life as a whole enables them to ward off materialism. Two things destinguish them as Leaders: they are content with their lives, and they are also the ones commandeering this consumer-ship. A wise leader knows that in order to maintain their position of power, they must somehow exert control over their followers. This can be achieved either through fear or love. The most effective way of handling this is to instill fear in a manner that appears to be love. A Follower who follows out of love, but who is still, for reasons they might not even be able to identify, at least mildly afraid, will be the most loyal of subjects. It is by this manner that society in the States works.

***This completes my piece on society (for the time being.. :p ). I will now answer any comments.***