Material World

I decided to deviate from my normal topics, because I'm watching a TV program on Ferrari's Maranello, Italy, factory. They're producing a car that retails from about $260k that's a fast, luxurious work of art. All of this at a time when many are worried about losing their car or house, or even their next meal.

All this has me conflicted. On the one hand, it is the lack of consumer and business purchases that is sustaining our current economic woes. Yes, you heard right. It's not the lack or excess of government intervention or regulation. It really has little to do with Bush or Obama or anyone else in politics. It's that people and companies, out of fear or excessive caution, are not spending money on things and services..

In addition, we all enjoy many of the things that make our lives comfortable or interesting. We love beautiful things, things that make tasks easier, and things that entertain us.

On the other hand, our dependence on material goods can be scary. Many of the things we buy make us lazy or prideful. (I'm guilty, too.) I mean, a dishwasher is functionally great, but it also either gives us more time to watch TV or work too hard. We can analyze every material thing like this.

So, where's the balance? I think it's in our frame of mind. Does the material item help us do good (or is at least neutral), or does it get you in trouble in some way? That means that the balance may be different for each of us.

So, maybe the recession is good, causing us to rely less on material goods. I tend to think not, though. Our recession is running on fear, and based on economic decisions, whereas peoples' choices to change their material lifestyles need to come from informed choices based on moral, ethical, or spiritual decisions. That kind of moderate change will reduce the wild market fluctuations we get when people and companies act based on fear and exuberance.