ISU Bengal

Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Life

The design of simple living is one that dates back as far as the origins of humankind. Humans have always struggled to survive the conditions of life around them. Today Americans find themselves consuming more and more as a way to satisfy a need for immediate happiness fueled by the mass production of goods.
The disease of affluenza is a result of excessive spending habits Americans have been developing for decades where it is often easier to buy something brand new instead of repairing the old or damaged.
The movie, Escape from Affluenza, written and produced by John De Graff starts with a mock news program that shows the "Joneses" whom we are all trying so hard to keep up with. In the film the Joneses are throwing in the towel and choosing a different life that they can afford, instead of increasing their debt to continue their reign as the first family on their block with the latest luxuries.
In the film, one example was a man was wearing an expensive silk tie who questioned the people in the room with him about how much he paid for it. One guy guessed that the tie cost about $40, but the man revealed that he purchased it at a thrift store for two dollars. The tie was a great savings from the initial cost, and thrift stores often have many great deals on clothing and other items. Although some would argue that there was still a man before him who paid the full price for the expensive tie and then donated it so it could be sold to him for two dollars.
However, the simple living lifestyle is not for everyone.
"I'm one of those affluenza addicts. I wouldn't feel bad buying a coffee from Starbucks," said freshman Cesar Gonzales, "but I admire what they're doing. No one wants to live in a future full of trash."
De Graff points out that "really poor is really hard and no one wants to be poverty stricken." the price we pay for this consumer driven lifestyle comes in the form of our "health, family life, and financial security." The process of change needs to be gradual. De Graff points out, "I think our economy can adapt. Many western European countries have shown that this can be done."
De Graff mentioned during the question and answer session that the message in the movie "doesn't mean don't consume at all, or go and live in a cave and wear a hair shirt. It's about balance." Many of the questions for De Graff pertained to the reasons behind the movie's message being an indictment of consumer behavior today. De Graff was quick to say that "I don't want to criticize anyone or their personal behavior." but addressed common sentiments that "I can never be like them (the people in the movie) so why bother?" emphasizing that "we can all make small changes and that's what's important."

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