Let’s Be Thankful

[12_Years_Late]

From a comment on a video of my favorite song of all time:

Some of us who study 20th century history might conclude that the general public's material expectations were much more modest in, say, the first six decades of the 1900s than they are today.

While it is true that there have always been (and always will be) greedy, selfish, and spoiled people, we might like to imagine that one thing that was better about the supposed "good old days" of relatively recent times is that people did not have the sense of entitlement about possessions than many appear to have now. I don't know if this is really so -- or if some of us are simply romanticizing a period in which many here weren't even alive, of which we have no actual experience.

In any case, we can acknowledge that there were many songs of the Great Depression, in particular, that encouraged the listening public to appreciate the intangibles -- love, friendship, integrity -- which have greater and more lasting value than mere manufactured stuff -- baubles, trinkets, fancy cars, mansions, expensive clothes -- as well as to take a more philosophical view when things seem unduly tough, as of course they must have, to many, in the year this side was recorded, for example.

We can hope that hearing this tuneful message lightened someone's load for at least a moment -- and that its philosophy retains meaning today.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I've wondered this myself- whether it's our expectations in life these days that make us so unhappy. Partly of course- it's consumerism and advertising- we are encouraged to feel like we need to buy expensive things to be happy. Still- I think it's also about the expectations placed upon us. For example- women back in the early 1900's would likely say they were housewives with a sense if pride. Women almost say it apologetically now because it seems to be assumed that they should ALSO have a career. Working in say a shop may also have been given more respect back then than it is these days.

I think there's a whole mixture of things going on and of course- I expect it's to do with money. I'm guessing governments WANT people to work high paid jobs so that they can buy expensive things- they get more tax that way. So- we tend to feel shammed if we don't succeed In doing that. We're encoraged to expect things in life- it makes us earn and spend money!

 

[12_Years_Late]

I've wondered this myself- whether it's our expectations in life these days that make us so unhappy. Partly of course- it's consumerism and advertising- we are encouraged to feel like we need to buy expensive things to be happy. Still- I think it's also about the expectations placed upon us. For example- women back in the early 1900's would likely say they were housewives with a sense if pride. Women almost say it apologetically now because it seems to be assumed that they should ALSO have a career. Working in say a shop may also have been given more respect back then than it is these days.

I think there's a whole mixture of things going on and of course- I expect it's to do with money. I'm guessing governments WANT people to work high paid jobs so that they can buy expensive things- they get more tax that way. So- we tend to feel shammed if we don't succeed In doing that. We're encoraged to expect things in life- it makes us earn and spend money!

Yes, advertising and commercialism has a very strong effect on most people, and it's something I don't follow myself.

It is also worth stressing here, that in 1934 people did not have the "Let's watch a bunch of internet videos" mentality that so many people have now. I personally avoid all post-1950s aspects of society and I always make sure I don't listen to any musical recordings made after 1935. It is my opinion that no one should have to accept the current culture of silly advertisements, cheap syndicated programs, and Top 30 "songs" if they don't want to. I avoid these things at all costs.

 

[The anhedonic one]

We live in the age of rampant consumerism, and most people are brainwashed into buying things they absolutely do not need.
We are also judged by our material possessions, clothes, car etc, instead of what we are as a person.

It's one of the many things that are wrong with this very sick society.

 

[12_Years_Late]

We live in the age of rampant consumerism, and most people are brainwashed into buying things they absolutely do not need.
We are also judged by our material possessions, clothes, car etc, instead of what we are as a person.

It's one of the many things that are wrong with this very sick society.

Along with the very absurd television advertisements that cater to shortened attention spans, there is not much in society today that is truly worth it.