BS

As we read and discussed, our current obsession with consumerism has evolved and progressed throughout history, reaching current levels which are both unprecedented and unsustainable.  Unfortunately, although we often tend to equate consumerism with happiness, much research suggests the exact opposite.  Namely, the more we consume the less happy we are likely becoming.  This is in part because our interest in consuming is often based on false notions of happiness and a competitive, comparative process in which we are constantly comparing ourselves with people who have more things than we have.  In the end, we often wind up purchasing goods that provide us with fleeting satisfaction, tend to increase our debt and stress levels, increase our need to work more, and wind up comparing ourselves all over again to the next person (and there is always another person with more things to whom we can compare ourselves).  Furthermore, corporations are often encouraged to engage in unethical and unsafe manufacturing and advertising activities to both feed and encourage our perpetual need to consume.  

 

So, now we move onto the related topic of the environment as stakeholder.  This is an interesting and critical topic.  As such, I expect we'll have some lively discussions.  Some things for you to think about as we enter this topic:   

Extinction rates are at their highest ever, averaging about 25,000 species a year, a rate that is about 1,000 times greater than the natural extinction rate (DeGraff, et al., 2005). Continuing development is increasingly cutting into limited and delicate natural habitats threatening to accelerate the already elevated decline of species.  The material values associated with the globally expanding capitalist system have been shown to be positively related to the size of an individual’s ecological footprint (the number of acres of arable land one requires to satisfy their needs for transportation, shelter, and food).  The scary statistics go on and are documented in the week's readings and videos.