Seems like America’s economy survives on a Hedonic Treadmill. The newest gadget, the most sophisticated car the fanciest food. What has it led us to? An obese nation, indebted and unhappy.
Good article. I have given much thought to the subject as my kids are pretty much grown and out of the nest and we are in the process of downsizing. I would not use the Stoics as role models for minimalism as we apparently only have writings from the wealthiest of the Stoics who appear to be, at best, minimalist wannabes. I would start with the Cynics as the exemplars for minimalist lifestyles, not that we can live that way today as our society doesn't value the mendicant wise person, but it's a better starting point to build from than Marcus or Seneca. I think it's also time we reevaluated whether excessive wealth is really an indifferent. From the examples we have, both from today and ancient Rome, it appears that going beyond a certain amount of wealth has a corrupting effect on character.
Seems like America’s economy survives on a Hedonic Treadmill. The newest gadget, the most sophisticated car the fanciest food. What has it led us to? An obese nation, indebted and unhappy.
Thank you. :)
IMHO nuts are also good and simple food.
Good article. I have given much thought to the subject as my kids are pretty much grown and out of the nest and we are in the process of downsizing. I would not use the Stoics as role models for minimalism as we apparently only have writings from the wealthiest of the Stoics who appear to be, at best, minimalist wannabes. I would start with the Cynics as the exemplars for minimalist lifestyles, not that we can live that way today as our society doesn't value the mendicant wise person, but it's a better starting point to build from than Marcus or Seneca. I think it's also time we reevaluated whether excessive wealth is really an indifferent. From the examples we have, both from today and ancient Rome, it appears that going beyond a certain amount of wealth has a corrupting effect on character.