Materialism is dangerous because it requires that we care too much about stuff and appearances.  It insists that what is most essential and important is the quality and quantity of what we can accumulate, not who we are or what we do.  We judge others and ourselves on what they own and how they look.  Advertising manipulates our fears about belonging and creates a specific anxiety that makes a good life nearly impossible.  When the immediate gratification of our shallowest material desires becomes the priority, there is no opportunity to practice compassion, understanding, self-control, honesty or humility.   

© Salahub 2003