Money talk

[joel123]

I find myself not wanting to characterize this category too much. I'm curious where our discussion will go. I'm particualrly interested how others relate to money, the nature of struggles, personal victories. I'm also interested to hear how social, cultural, economic and political factors influence folks day to day.

When I think about myself, I just know its complicated and challenging.

[Richard Trachtman]

In a section of the book Your Money or Your Life there is asection called The Creation of Consumers, in the first chapter which is really interesting. It explains why we are so focused on money and consumerism. Starting in the 1920's the new science of market research figured out ways to make us dissatisfied with whatever we had and to want more and more and newer and newer things rather than being content with having our basic needs met. As a result we also need more and more money and have to work harder and harder to pay for all of the things we think we need.