Things that Fly!

Utility

In economics Utility is a measure of Happiness (I always used to get the giggles imagining a plotted graph with "utils" as a unit of measurement--it sounds like some sort of special dessert fork or an oddly shaped brass instrument). Economics is based on the principle that people make informed decisions in order to maximize their utility. In a purchasing situation if product A is equal to product B but cheaper, then choose product A for a maximum dollar/utility average. I guess this is something I agree with. It makes sense. It gets entirely more complicated when you factor in things like brand loyalty, corporate mindshare, and substitutable products.

What I don't agree with is the fact that happiness is a measure of material consumption. I remember reading an Economics journal article about cost-offsetting. Basically they found out how much money it would take to offset the loss of happiness from things like recently lossed loved ones, divorce, loss of job, etc. There is an actual monetary value average that exists that would make someone happy if they lost their wife (around 280 000 for a male 20-30 years old, if I remember correctly). That last sentence destroys the idea of money for me. It disgusts me thinking about that. It makes me sick to think of money as a vehicle of happiness. It's like equating hours of labor with watching a beautiful sunset, or kissing your children goodbye before school.

I am not the exception. I find myself living less and thinking more about moneys hold on me. I think about my power as a consumer. What shall I buy? If I'm not buying something what am I saving for? If I'm not saving for anything what am I doing? And I like that that last question I can't answer. I like that answering the question is finding a way to live without the horribly oppressive mindset that money has enforced.

At the same time I understand the need for a system of exchange. I don't want to "throw the baby out with the bath water". I just don't have a solution--- But if I had to start somewhere it would be at the beginning. Give it all up, tear it all down. Back to Zero. No corporations allowed. Personal responsibility, not limited liability. Grassroots. Support local economies. Buy local products. Beyond that, just live your life. Stop working endless hours to support a fruitless material addiction. Look to family, friends, and loved ones for increases in "utility". Laugh at jokes they make instead of made-up characters on prime time TV. TURN OFF your TV and go paint a picture, write a poem, run a marathon, have sex, make dinner, go for a walk. It's disgusting I can't even think of anything else because TV has become the solution to everything.

Holy biggest and most disconnected rant ever.

posted by Rob and Lauren @ 11:54 PM