Don't get me wrong, I am a bit of a sucker for brand names too. But at the same time, I know it's time to backtrack a bit. Look at the people in developing countries, look at documentary films, or simply look at kids. Why are they so happy, so easily satisfied? And why can't we achieve the same?
Recently I have been reading a book called How to be Free, I wouldn't say I agree totally with everything that's mentioned by the author, but it has surely got me thinking. Everything surrounding us is controlled by a belief or a system, a system that alleviates freedom, individualism, originality and rebellion.
This system is called capitalism.
As an Economics major, I do give a lot of credits to pioneers, Adam Smith, John Maynard Keynes, Henry Ford, even Tang Xiao Ping, who led this capitalist society to its fullest. Without them, traveling from Hong Kong to Toronto may still take months. Without them, I probably won't be able to enjoy John Legend or Jason Mraz's music. However, this system also promotes dullness, boredom, money-making, mass production and A LOT OF brainwashing.
Consume consume consume.... Spend spend spend
What used to be evil and ugly is now the new trend. Small corner stores are now replaced by huge monopolized supermarkets that basically decide on what you eat. Wal-mart is evil because it creates low paying, boring jobs; it claims to offer the lowest price to create that "smile" on your face. What you probably don't realize is that Wal-mart is profiting like crazy and the money is mostly from the poor. And do you remember that childhood candy or book that you used to love? Bet you can't find them in Wal-mart because they are replaced by fattening Mars bars and Spongebob Squarepants.
TV, some say one of the best inventions, is slowing eroding our lifestyles too. Aeroplanes, buses, taxis, subway, restaurants, schools and even hospitals are flooded with flatscreen TVs. There's no escape from it. We are all spoon fed with advertisements which only serve one purpose, MNCs want your money :) And the message is very clear- "New is good, old is bad, spending is good and investing is good, even borrowing is good, but doing nothing with your money is a sin. So you'd better start working your ass off and give us all your money, because I need to buy a yacht that I will drink my bottle of 1974 Bordeaux on."
I think it's time to step back and think of a cure. Open your mind, not to new ideas but old ways of thinking. Take a walk instead of taking the subway where you get to see only concrete and boring faces. Plant something at home, even better if you can plant some kind of vegetables. Yes it takes time but it brings you away from the plastic-wrapped vegetables that tastes like paper. Start going to local markets instead of chain supermarkets for we need to help preserve the originality and good food. Put down your XBOX 360 and go fishing or rock climbing with some friends :) Pick up a book whenever you're thinking of flipping on your TV, life can be more meaningful than channel surfing.
To be very frank, living in a capitalist society but thinking of reliving a simple life, I am struggling and stuck in a dilemma too. But I know I need to do something. We all need to do something.
Thanks for reading
