Thoreau Materialism
The age of technological advancements has arrived, and materialism is sweeping through the country at an increasing pace. Americans desire to live a lifestyle complete with the latest technology. Technology has spread to many different areas in life. Henry David Thoreau promoted a life that denied materialistic values. Although not all of his views could improve today’s society, some of them should be reintroduced. As materialism moves through the United States, citizens should choose a balance of Thoreau’s values and technological values. Recent technological advancements affect people in all aspects of life. A common use of technology is for personal purposes. This is evident in devices such as smartphones, computers, and televisions. Nearly two-thirds of Americans own
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smartphones. TV companies now offer packages with more than one hundred and fifty channels. Alongside personal use, the goal of recent materialism is to make life easier. Fast food, for example, saves time and money. Advancements in medicine have improved the lives of many Americans. Materialism includes all of these technological achievements along with many more.
The ideas of Henry David Thoreau challenge the ideas of materialism. His ideas a partially correct. In his writing “Walden,” he stated, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life…” Technological aspects of society are not considered to be “essential facts of life.” Thoreau chose to live without the luxuries citizens today take for granted. He lived from the land and used only what he absolutely needed. By doing this, Thoreau avoided key problems that have now become common. Today’s society is experiencing a lack of connection. Family dinners are spent around the television. The deepest discussions taking place revolve around newest apps or iPhones. The United States has the highest divorce rate in the world- which could be attributed to the aforementioned lack of connection. Another issue is obesity. A study performed by the NIDDK shows that more than two of three American adults are overweight or obese. A cause of this is fast food. Eleven percent of the average American’s diet is made up of fast food. The development of the fast food industry was iconic because of how quick and easy it was to get food. However, it has wreaked havoc on the diet of many Americans. By avoiding the materialistic sweep, Thoreau was able to avoid these key problems.
Although a lack of materialism would improve some aspects of life, it should not be submitted in all aspects.
It has led to important advancements in areas such as medicine. Without the materialistic acts that have taken place in the recent years, the United States would be lacking in medical development. For example, cancer research would not be as advanced as it is today without materialism causing new technology. The medical world is improving each day, and without the help of materialism in the laboratories, there would not be as many medical breakthroughs. Another achievement that would not be possible without materialism and technological advancements is efficiency throughout the country. The efficiency is present in transportation and production. In Thoreau’s time, these aspects were not present. There were no airplanes to transport people to other countries. There was not an abundance of jobs throughout the country like there are today. The ability to work from coast to coast was not there when Thoreau lived. Because of the advancements that materialism has caused since Thoreau’s life, people should not adopt his views of living in solitude without any materialistic
possessions.
In conclusion, as materialism sweeps through the country it is continuing to bring forth technological advancements. Americans are portraying a lifestyle that is dependent on these advancements. Thoreau’s life of solitude challenges materialistic views. People should find a healthy balance between Thoreau’s life and a life full of technology. Materialism has both positive and negative effects in the United States.
smartphones. TV companies now offer packages with more than one hundred and fifty channels. Alongside personal use, the goal of recent materialism is to make life easier. Fast food, for example, saves time and money. Advancements in medicine have improved the lives of many Americans. Materialism includes all of these technological achievements along with many more.
The ideas of Henry David Thoreau challenge the ideas of materialism. His ideas a partially correct. In his writing “Walden,” he stated, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life…” Technological aspects of society are not considered to be “essential facts of life.” Thoreau chose to live without the luxuries citizens today take for granted. He lived from the land and used only what he absolutely needed. By doing this, Thoreau avoided key problems that have now become common. Today’s society is experiencing a lack of connection. Family dinners are spent around the television. The deepest discussions taking place revolve around newest apps or iPhones. The United States has the highest divorce rate in the world- which could be attributed to the aforementioned lack of connection. Another issue is obesity. A study performed by the NIDDK shows that more than two of three American adults are overweight or obese. A cause of this is fast food. Eleven percent of the average American’s diet is made up of fast food. The development of the fast food industry was iconic because of how quick and easy it was to get food. However, it has wreaked havoc on the diet of many Americans. By avoiding the materialistic sweep, Thoreau was able to avoid these key problems.
Although a lack of materialism would improve some aspects of life, it should not be submitted in all aspects.
It has led to important advancements in areas such as medicine. Without the materialistic acts that have taken place in the recent years, the United States would be lacking in medical development. For example, cancer research would not be as advanced as it is today without materialism causing new technology. The medical world is improving each day, and without the help of materialism in the laboratories, there would not be as many medical breakthroughs. Another achievement that would not be possible without materialism and technological advancements is efficiency throughout the country. The efficiency is present in transportation and production. In Thoreau’s time, these aspects were not present. There were no airplanes to transport people to other countries. There was not an abundance of jobs throughout the country like there are today. The ability to work from coast to coast was not there when Thoreau lived. Because of the advancements that materialism has caused since Thoreau’s life, people should not adopt his views of living in solitude without any materialistic
possessions.
In conclusion, as materialism sweeps through the country it is continuing to bring forth technological advancements. Americans are portraying a lifestyle that is dependent on these advancements. Thoreau’s life of solitude challenges materialistic views. People should find a healthy balance between Thoreau’s life and a life full of technology. Materialism has both positive and negative effects in the United States.