The Seventh Big Lie: More is enough

The futility of trying to achieve satisfaction by always seeking more is self-evident, so why has it become the central dynamic of the dominant global culture? Why do we accept a system that insists that we live in a continuous state of dissatisfaction? Competitive materialism is sometimes portrayed as the inevitable state of mind of the human species. Who can tell? It could equally be the way were trained. The totalitarian ideal is the citizen in the service of the state. The current version is a state dedicated to competitive materialism played with loaded dice; a perfect example of mutual oppression, unless you happen to own the dice. The distribution of our collective wealth could be organised on other principles, and dependency can only be avoided by offering enough sensible jobs, which is not likely to happen under the current system. There is also good evidence that after health, education and home have been dealt with, more doesn't make you much happier; but, thankfully, that subversive message is being effectively suppressed. We can't have people going round being satisfied with just enough. (Postscript: A sensible job meets three criteria: (a) it allows autonomy, (b) it contributes to the common good, and (c) it has intrinsic satisfactions.)