Imagine this: you drive to a neighborhood service station expecting to
pay sky-high prices, but instead an attendant walks up and says, "We're
having an unadvertised special. All gas is free today, but only until we
run out."
What's your plan of action? Some people might simply fill up and drive
on to the next errand like any other day. Others would probably race home
and come back with a load of empty gas cans and other storage containers.
Would you call your friends and alert them to the bonanza?
This scenario is a good way to think about how much an average
person needs to feel satisfied every day in 21st century America. Replace
the gas station with a shoe store, home electronics outlet, or furniture
showroom. It would be a great experiment for a college psychology class.
Create a pile of goods, point it out to random bystanders and say, "Take
what you want." How long would the pile last? An hour, or 30 seconds?
How often does this subject get discussed around the family dinner
table, or in school? When I was in third grade the impact of the Great
Depression and World War Two were still vivid in the national memory. When
parents or teachers had conversations with children, they often doled out
advice about not being wasteful, balancing the desire for toys and other
fun stuff against practical needs, and never asking for a second helping
until you've finished what's on your plate.
These days, however, anyone who promotes such notions in a classroom
might be accused of advancing an anti-capitalist agenda that's secretly
attempting to indoctrinate students with ideas meant to limit freedom of
choice and stifle economic growth.
I understand the dynamics of competitive commerce. I know the
importance manufacturers place on grabbing a big market share. And as a
consumer I sincerely appreciate the material goods that surround me in every
store I patronize.
What I want all consumers in all age groups to do every time they head
off on a shopping trip is ask themselves this question: How much is enough?
If you had an unlimited budget, is there a stopping point for the buying
spree? Or does your satisfaction come from the acquisition process?
Everyone wants something, and we all have different comfort levels. I
would never presume to lecture anyone on lifestyle priorities or estate
building. But for a free society to endure, I think some degree of
self-restraint in everyone's economic activities is a positive element. Or
is that idea all wrong? Does self-restraint just make us into a bunch of
low-expectation surrender monkeys?
While you've been reading this, it's possible gas prices in your area
inched up again. Solving our energy needs and other resource problems will
take a long term effort and lots of cooperation. Finding effective
solutions is going to be really tough if too many of us are saying, "I want
everything. All of it. And then some."