Materialism and Conditioning

#1

Well frankly speaking the world is turning more and more materialistic every day. Especailly in times of holidays. They have been overly exploited by huge multi-million dollar co-operations as it is undoubtably used as a huge advertising campaign. Santa Claus is now one of the biggest advocates of materialism, although never intended to be that way, but still can now be seen that way.

Over the years we have been conditioned in such a way that during not just christmas but all other holidays, to think of what we get as presents or the material possessions that we recieve. Is it just me or are we all losing the sense of whats important and being conditioned by those materialistic people in power through active advertising.

If we have a look all religions are pointing into the directions of going ahead of materialistic possesions and seeking spiritual guidence, however come time to celebrate religious occasions, people undoubltably miss the whole point of these celebrations and go into the direction which was never intended is most opposite to the message trying to send with these celebrations.

So what do you all think. Are we being conditioned away from spiritual acknowledgement of our selves into a world of materalism or not?

#2

Ah, you beat me to this thread man..

If I wasn't on my phone writing this I would probably type a lot more than anyone would wanna read..!

It makes me sick. So many ppl have been manipulated by capitalism. $500 xmas lists used as nothing more than a means to get what you want is so preposterious. I hate what xmas has become. We think were enjoying the holidays, but in reality the only one having a good ole time is corporate america.

More later..

#3

While I generally agree with what you guys are saying, I do not agree with the total claim of being preposterous...Afterall, I just don't have the best of intentions for a borrowed holiday that was built on a big batch of BS in the first place you know..? The whole idea of Christmas as we all probably first came to know it was build on a blatant lie...And as more and more people knew the truth, they tried to shift the focus, but alas, the damage has already been done...

I think Christmas is specifically for children, I particularly don't like Christmas gifts, the sheer thought of a such a caste system that it creates is more than I care to entertain, and can be quite overwhelming...It, for lack of a better meaning, is just another day to me, but a valid excuse to eat good... /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

#4

A, dont you think conditioning children from a very early age to regard presents and material possessions is absurd?

It isnt only christmas that has become a money making industry, its every single holiday on the block. Not only those ones in america but all around the world. The question is not if they were based on a whole lot of BS but what it has become. The intentions of these holidays were to convey a certain message of spiritual enlightenment however it is being lost in the bid to earn a few extra bucks. No doubt every economy does benefit from the huge amounts of $'s spent during the holiday periods, but is it worth it all?

Lost Ghost · #5

whats the con?

America is going away from the spirtual aspect of what Christmas is supposed to be?

America aint never going back my man.........sin surrounds even the most religious of people....in a day and age where you can make a typo on the address bar and end up at a porn site...not many people are living the good and pure religious life.....

Christmas is about materialistic stuff because it does help the economy....and its a perfect oppurtunity for people to give back....I was watching the NBA on ABC...and just looking at alllllll the NBA superstars who had their own charity with their santa hats on giving out gifts made me smile...

Christmas invokes that giving spirit......the coat and food drives for my school wouldn't ever collect shit if it wasnt for christmas and thanksgiving time.....

#6

No one is arguing that we are all pure man. The fact is that we are being conditioned into believing that materialistic possessions are all that is important. About the NBA superstars giving away stuff to kids, did you even realise the ulterior motive to that man. You must have missed all the banners or all the printed T-shirts with huge advertising.

I'm not saying its a bad thing that the homeless kids get some stuff that they really need. I'm all up for that man. The question is not just about christmas or thanks giving, broaden your horizion and there are a lot of other holidays around the world that have been corpratised. Whether it be the Indian Festival of Lights "Diwali" or be that holy month of fasting for the muslims "ramadan".

Christmas invokes the spirit of giving but why ? Not because it is just great to give but everyone expects something in return. That is the problem. That is what all holidays around the world have become, I give something so I must get something in return!!

#7

Christmas and our society as a whole is getting out of hand. It's all about what makes you feel better and it's rarely about others. It's nice to see NBA players having charities, but what's the real reason for them? Is it really to help others or is it to make themselves look good? How many of them would have a charity if they weren't NBA players? The thought makes me sick.

As much as I don't like what LG said I think it's true. I doubt America's going back to the good 'ol days where it wasn't all about instant gratification and the idea that you only need to worry about yourself

Lost Ghost · #8

Um.....for all you people who are hating on the NBA players and say what they are doing is to get them to look better......I bet all them kids dont feel that way....

You think America is gonna care in a week wether or not Jermaine O'Neal gave out presents?....fuck no......but are those kids who got presents from him going to remember him forever? Yes.

Saying that these guys only give presents to needy children on a day where giving and recieveing is celebrated to make themselves look good is ignorant.

and wether its true or not......these players have money...and could keep it to themselves...but instead they go out and buy $100,000 worth of presents to hand out to kids who normally wouldnt even get a speical meal on christmas...but you claim that thats SELFISH......shit the act in itself contridicts what you're calling it.

In fact....how about when you guys start spending that kind of money to give a gift to someone you dont know.....or spend ANY money on people you dont know....then you can call these guys selfish....

Regarldess of wehther or not they're doing it for praise...the act in itself deserves praise......and for anyone who thinks they're selfish bastards for doing it.....i hope you guys dont get any presents next year...

and IN FACT....whats this thread about anyway?

What is YOUR personal gripe against christmas? you guys dont get any presents? you guys dont wanna buy presents for anyone else? if thats the case.....choose to celebrate something else...or dont celebrate christmas at all......if you want it to go back to the celebration of jesus's birth...you're one in a million who feels that way.....if you dont like giving presents or getting them...then you dont have to celebrate it....but dont knock people who do...and espically dont knock people who are giving presents to people who in no way shape or form could ever give anything back to them but a big smile.....and thats all these guys want from these kids.....believe it or not....its not about what the media thinks of these guys....otherwise they wouldnt FILL staduims with presents to hand out....its about the kids who are getting them.....

I bet you think rappers who give back to the community are just doing it becasue they want to look good.......no wait, you'll probably tell me thats something completely different......its all about how you wanna look at it....you can call them selfish for giving back.....or you can say "well...im glad the money didnt go to this guy's head...and he still can give back to where he came from"

#9

For one thing LG you demonstrated that you have a very narrow way of thinking over here. No one's arguing that fact that the children who recieve presents are the winners of the day. It is true that some of those NBA players give just for giving!

However the true intentions of them giving cannot be disregarded. For example if they really did want to give, why did they feel the need to have it televised for other people to see. They could have just given and if that was their true intention then no need to show the world that they are actually giving.

QUOTE\"well...im glad the money didnt go to this guy's head...and he still can give back to where he came from\"

Its exactly about creating that image in the minds of the people, so that their product line sells, so that what they advertise for actually attracts consumer attention.That $100,000 is nothing at all compared to how much these guys get just to do those kinds of things. I'll again mention that I dont despise them doing that coz I do believe that the kids are the winners on the day.

This kinda dips into the corporate socail responsibitly thread. The argument for it will always be that there are many people helped as a result. Every single bussiness does it some way or the other and it has become a norm to do that. If they dont then they will lag behind in the incredible competitive market. If you have a look this thread is about materialism and conditioning and about all holidays not just the ones celebrated in america, not only about christmas but since it is the christmas season you assume that it is about christmas. But I have seen a lot of other holidays and other religious celebrations that have become just another money making scheme.

Its not just about christmas dude, its about how the whole world is forgetting the importance of those things that are real in life. Money is important but is that THE MOST important. Are we being conditioned further away from all that is important?

Lost Ghost · #10

what is important than?

you tell me what is more important than money to the people in the 3rd world countries for whom you seem to have created this thread....since now you wanna label it as something other than christmas because I just killed your christmas point...

I bet not a single person in any 3rd world country around would tell you that they'd rather celebrate their holidays based on principal and not on food or presents...

I bet it sure is easy to condem presents and food and celebration when you're well fed and your wallet isn't collecting dust.

you wanna be mr. save the holidays.........then you better take in to consideration need vs want....... you want these people to stop being selfish and greedy and to start thinking about the principals on which their holiday was founded.....but they NEED to eat......

but...now you're gonna argue that you're not talking about 3rd world countries and starving people...you're talking about america where people are well fed for the most part..........but then thats christmas......dont dogde the question by telling me im missing the point.....

you dont know what this point is about.....you just felt like lashing out against rich snot-nosed kids who get everything they want....but then complain when they didnt get the Xbox 360.....despite their parent's standing in line for 5 hours and not being able to get one of the last in stock....

and yet......that point is felt by everyone......we all know that......but then you go and say that matarialism is bad and we should focus on the spirits.....and dont know what you're talking about....and until you can figure out what is wrong with matarialism in society....and what it should go back to....and how that plan is ever going to work............. you have no point..... and dont continue to post bullshit....