Big Spender

James Twitchell provided an equation in his piece titled, “Two Cheers for Matierialsm” that shows why materialism can be a very bad thing. The equation is as follows, “easy credit = overbuying = disappointment = increased anxiety” (Twitchell 392). This equation supports the idea that while materialism may offer temporary satisfaction, the satisfaction is in fact temporary and the negative long term effects may last just as long, or longer. Is that really such a bad thing though? Surely, some satisfaction must be better than none at all.

“Things” allow us to express our personal identity to others. Through what we wear, the kind of car that we drive and the type of house we live in, others can make general and specific assumptions about the type of person that we are. While buying only for the sake of impressing others would definitely be considered dangerous habit, personal materialism is a reflection of an individual. When someone has a high personal self worth, they usually express it in whatever way possible through their surroundings and attire. The opposite is true of someone with low self esteem. Therefore, why should someone be ashamed of their interest in material things?

“We live through things. We create ourselves through things. And we change ourselves by changing our things” (Twitchell 389). Instead of viewing our materialistic habits as something to be ashamed of, we should celebrate the fact that we as a society have the opportunity to express ourselves in so many different ways.