Because we are liv--ing in a material world,

But do we really need all of this stuff?

Growing up, I remember my parents complaining a lot about being overwhelmed with stuff. And now that I have earned the title "Papa," my battle with stuff is just beginning. It is amazing how much plastic we have in the house, even when we take bags and bags out. Sell stuff on Craig's list, donate to charity, or just plain trash it--it is an endless cycle of consumerism and waste. Yipee!

In my consumerist daze, I have come to the following realization: I aspire to have less stuff than my parents (sorry American economy). Now this post is not about living like a Buddhist monk or something, rather it is call to rethink our approach to economic growth. Following 9/11 Bush told us all to go shopping to save our economy. Local signs around town say "shop local, spend now, save the economy." But creating an economy that is totally dependent on consumers insatiable wants will eventually hit a wall. Why? Because, even though economist refuse to admit it, some of consumers "wants" are eventually satiable. Yup. There are only so many of these cell phone/PDA/iphone/mp3/back massagers that people will want. Producers must find ways to manufacture more wants in order to keep up the production.

Now that the economy is in recession, maybe some people will realize that it is possible to be truly happy with less stuff. It sounds unAmerican I know, but the quest for happiness and the quest for stuff are only partially correlated. For a developed country like the US, maybe its time to measure the quality of an economy by something other than just counting stuff. Because I certainly would be happy with less (I would also be happy to get from one side of my house to another without stepping on something plastic with wheels).

Can we redefine the American dream? Something like this needs a movement and not a government program. Let me know Jeffy.