|
Author
|
Topic: Are You A Materialist, Or An Idealist?
|
Valus
Knowflake Posts: 3318
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted May 31, 2010 03:14 AM
 
.IP: Logged |
MyVirgoMask
Knowflake Posts: 2885
From: Bay Area, CA
Registered: May 2009
|
posted May 31, 2010 03:38 AM
It's not that simple. Because some of us love things which are created and crafted with LOVE. Pottery, clothing, etc.
Be they *material* objects of practicality or frivolity doesn't matter so much to me as that they're coming from one's heart.
That's what matters.
I love to make jewelery and my father is a goldsmith by trade. He works with his hands in the fire and pounds out designs.
He works from the heart.
With his hands.
Objects - material objects - created with love, by artisans, are something which is sorely lacking moreso now than before. But I have an appreciation for them.
Because they bear marks of the idealistic artistic expression which is physically manifest. That's the world...or family, I should say...that I was born into. The one I choose to live in  It's not a sweatshop. It's an artist's studio. There is a difference. But both create material things. Things which unite the material with the idealistic. That's what interests me the most. And you know what? It's not impossible to marry the two. It's not, really. It's that people don't care as much for QUALITY as they used to a while ago. Now it's about churning out things rapidly to appease the masses. The more you produce on a mass scale, the more the quality goes down and looks lackluster, shallow, hollow, empty...lacking in soul.
That's why it's 'bad' to be materialistic. It's IDEALLY not, though. Not when love and true mastery of a craft, true effort, has gone into the creation of something material. A good piece of furniture is something which is practical, and to be truly admired and appreciated on many levels. It engages the senses. That is not an evil thing.
The lack of love is what's evil.
The lack of interest is sad.
People often forget. IP: Logged |
Valus
Knowflake Posts: 3318
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted May 31, 2010 04:08 AM
.IP: Logged |
MyVirgoMask
Knowflake Posts: 2885
From: Bay Area, CA
Registered: May 2009
|
posted May 31, 2010 04:24 AM
"The problem facing us in the modern world is precisely the problem of excess, not deficiency. In fact, there was never a lack of the finer things, -- we just forgot what they were! The problem today, as always, is greed."Exactly.
And yes, I am first and foremost an idealist. I can get by on nothing or very little for a long time as long as I am getting enriched by a larger idea to sustain me. So much so that it's a reality for me. I need a cause. I think it's a case of back to basics for the most part...people don't realize how great they've got it (most of the time) until they lose it...many not realizing what the 'it' even is. I am even thinking of homes and how much spaces a lot of Americans seem to need in order to feel 'successful'. A big house on a big plot of land with a big car = success.
I, for the record, LOATHE such 'big' things.
It's a waste of space.
But we're living in a country where bigger equals better. Bigger servings of food, bigger land, etc. SIGH. One thing I have always hated is going to Costco or a place like that where you can get things in bulk. Like 5,000 boxes of cereal or whatever at discount prices. I've had to go with my mother when she was raising us. Granted, it's more economical, but oh my gawd, there is NOTHING natural about places like this. I'd walk in and see nothing but people being greedy. I would literally feel sickened and even ashamed.
Yeah, I know a lot of them need things in bulk...but you know not everyone in there is needing things in bulk. People are freakin' greedy.
IP: Logged |
Lyra
Knowflake Posts: 199
From: London, UK
Registered: May 2009
|
posted May 31, 2010 04:34 PM
I nearly said I was both, but this did make me think. I work because I have to, but all my spare time is taken up in doing what was a hobby and is now starting to become a second source of income. Although I'd work at it even if I didn't get paid. I'd do it because I have a compulsion to do it.
My one weakness in the material world is clothes - but since I'm in fashion that is perhaps hardly surprising - however, I never spend more than £20 on each item - I love to get a "designer look" at dirt-cheap prices. I hate the High Street, I much prefer fun little boutiques.
I really don't understand the expensive holidays thing, it is almost as if one is made to feel inferior if one doesn't go on holiday. I weighed up all the pros and cons, however, and decided that I just could not be bothered - I have too much fun inside my own head!
I also don't get the property speculation thing - people who go round looking at houses for a pastime, or stocks and shares. That to me is the most boring thing in the world. It amazes me how so many people are continually looking to see what they can spend their money on next.
To me, ideas are more important than people - I sometimes wonder whether I am human at all, and have often been accused of being "cold" and "clinical".
So therefore I suspect I must be an idealist. Or perhaps I'm just an INTJ/INTP.Love, Lyra IP: Logged |
Lara
Knowflake Posts: 4344
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted May 31, 2010 04:45 PM
Optimist... i'm an optimist. I don't do materialism nor idealism. IP: Logged |
MoonWitch
Knowflake Posts: 275
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted May 31, 2010 04:53 PM
I *LOVE* COSTCO!I can buy salads, greens, veggies and fruit in bulk which is NEEDED if you eat as much of that good stuff as we do. If you're eating as many servings of veggies and fruits as you're supposed to per day, you'd have to go to the grocery store a couple times a week. Not to mention the big bags of frozen veggies and fruits. Great for smoothies. If you buy in bulk you can save some of the excess packaging that will go in landfills. If you buy in bulk you don't have to go shopping as often which saves gas and the air pollution from your car.  I go to Costco once every two weeks and then supplement with Trader Joe's if I need something in smaller quantity. Costco's clothing prices are good, too, and that's not in bulk. OH and their pizza is the bomb.
Does it make me materialistic if I love getting 18oz of blackberries for $3.99?
IP: Logged |
mermaid26
Knowflake Posts: 658
From: just visiting you know
Registered: Jun 2009
|
posted May 31, 2010 05:07 PM
I like this thought provoking question.I'm striving to be of the mindset that ... "Heaven is within. Blind to it is our great sin" ~ amej I just know that I'm trying to be less greedy and less materialistic. Like MVM, I do have refined taste and I do like well crafted artisan quality goods vs. mass produced. This is were I readily see the hand of God at play. My first preferences being the natural creations and formations. There are some rich men who are "empty" or "poor" in spirit. Conversely, there are some poor who are content and rich in "spirit." Therefore, I think the Idealist may better represent survival of the fittest. IP: Logged |
Lara
Knowflake Posts: 4344
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted May 31, 2010 05:43 PM
Materialism is the poorest address on the planet. Who wants to be the richest man in the graveyard? IP: Logged |
LEXX
Moderator Posts: 2313
From: Still out looking for Schr�dinger's cat.........& LEXIGRAMMING... is my Passion!
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted May 31, 2010 07:06 PM
logical pragmatist/realistThe following is definitely NOT me.
quote:
The problem facing us in the modern world is precisely the problem of excess, not deficiency. In fact, there was never a lack of the finer things, -- we just forgot what they were! The problem today, as always, is greed. In order to live as we are accustomed, -- that is, in order to enjoy the luxurious variety of material productions to which we are accustomed, -- it is not only necessary that we trade the greater part of our waking hours, but, that the progress of entire civilizations be inhibited, halted, or retarded altogether, in subjugation to our economic will. The problem facing the modern world is that we have the resources to provide for everyone's basic needs, while freeing ourselves from the burdens of labor as well, but, that we still refuse to sacrifice, or even question, the way of life to which we have all become accustomed.
------------------
Everyone is a teacher...
Everyone is a student...
Learning is eternal.
}><}}(*>
.☆¨¯`♥ ¸.☆¨¯`♥ ¸.☆¨¯`♥ IP: Logged |
MyVirgoMask
Knowflake Posts: 2885
From: Bay Area, CA
Registered: May 2009
|
posted May 31, 2010 07:18 PM
Good answer, LEXX 
I completely agree, of course!MoonWitch, as much as I love the deals at Costco and they appeal to me when I stock up on food, I cannot help but feel really terrible in there. I literally feel depressed and sad - like I can't breathe. There's something eerily dystopian to me about the setting and I just start to freak out. After 15 minutes I start to go on full-freak mode and have to run outside to remind myself that the world 'out there' still exists lol IP: Logged |
LEXX
Moderator Posts: 2313
From: Still out looking for Schr�dinger's cat.........& LEXIGRAMMING... is my Passion!
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted May 31, 2010 07:38 PM
There is a difference betwixt needs and desire.------------------
Everyone is a teacher...
Everyone is a student...
Learning is eternal.
}><}}(*>
.☆¨¯`♥ ¸.☆¨¯`♥ ¸.☆¨¯`♥ IP: Logged |
Cynnared
Knowflake Posts: 535
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted May 31, 2010 08:13 PM
A realist..I prefer to see the world how it really is. Ideals are too lofty and materialism, I'm not into.IP: Logged |
Glaucus
Knowflake Posts: 4261
From: Sacramento,California
Registered: Apr 2009
|
posted June 01, 2010 02:36 AM
practical idealistmy t-square of Moon in Pisces in 6th (7th in whole sign) square the opposition of Saturn in Gemini in 9th (10th in whole sign) and Jupiter and Neptune in Sagittarius in 3rd (4th in whole sign) indicate the challenge of balancing materialism and idealism. ------------------
Raymond Supporting the Neurodiversity Movement A Different Mind Is Not A Deficient Mind. http://people.tribe.net/4b0cf8c4-1fc3-4171-92d3-b0915985bf95/blog IP: Logged | |
Lindaland
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! 
