We are on this planet for a relatively short time....?

Question

...So why do we spend our lives devoted to acquiring more and more.. stuff?

I think the 'human nature' idea is interesting, but haven't we evolved significantly now, not to be compared to cavemen?

Answer 1

The big picture is scary. Its hard to find something meaningful to do when you realize how insignificant you are in the grand scheme of the universe and how fleeting is your time on this earth. To quote The Bard,
"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."
Most people try not to dwell on this fact. It makes more sense (goes the rationale) to go about our daily lives as if there were some point to it all, and when its clear that there's no objective purpose for us to pursue, the acquisition of material stuff is as valid or absurd a goal as anything else. Sure none of it will buy happiness, but it provides something to do, and perhaps something to look forward to.

/Wish it weren't so.
//Learning philosophy and trying to avoid the nihilism that seems to be presenting itself as the only rational option.

Answer 2

because most people are very materialistic. I read a great book called The Gospel According to Larry and it woke me up to this. Many people believe that the more things they own the better off they are. In the Declaration of Independence it states that every man has a right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" with the pursuit of happiness being acquiring stuff, as if material possessions make people happy. I'm happy to be loved and have my basics to survive.

Answer 3

Part of wanting all that stuff has to do with the fact that we are only here for a short time. People want 'more bang for their buck'. We get a relatively few years, take away from that the time spent working or sleeping. People want the newest and best things to occupy themselves in their free time.

Answer 4

Uh, I don't. There are a lot of people who devote their lives to making the world better.

It's relatively few who feel a need to simply acquire STUFF.

Most people devote themselves to having decent lives -- taking care of their families, helping friends, and such.

I, personally, have never known anyone who devoted their lives to stuff -- in the sense of "more things."

Answer 5

Society has taught us that we need instant gratification...And that's where stuff comes in. It's not enough that we have a cell phone, but we need to have the latest mp3 player and movie player at our finger tip. Because god forbid we miss a Brittney or Paris update

Answer 6

It comes down to the survival instinct.

You have children to pass on your genes to the next generation, and work to acquire things to give your children the best chance to pass their genes (and incidentally your genes) to the next generation climbing higher on the social ladder where the 'gene pool' can give a wider choice of mates.

Answer 7

Because it's human nature.
It's just how we are, as stupid as it sounds.
We want more and more and more because it makes us have a false sense of happiness for a short period of time.
It makes us feel stronger, like we've got purpose here when we really don't.

Answer 8

well, miss_ruby_topaz, I'm sorry to say that as the years go on and on humanity becomes more obsessed with greed and lust.

It's a shame more people can't be like you!

Answer 9

Most of us are materialistic people.

Only some of us understand that objects can't make us completely happy.

Answer 10

Its the way the world works... If it didn't we would still be living in caves