I see commercials every day peddling stupid shit no one really needs or are awful things to invest money in. Apple watches, new cars, robot vacuum cleaners, refrigerators with wifi. All of it useless and will become obsolete in a few short months. I live in an upscale community in McLean and could purchase said goods if I wanted to, but don’t because I understand the concept of depreciation and I hate clutter. I tell all my neighbors to avoid such things, but many push back, saying they need that new MKZ because Bob Jones down the street has one too. Some even claim that’s what keeps the economy humming along. But is it??

Here’s how it works — you buy the stuff that you think is worthwhile and others buy the stuff that they think is worthwhile. All of that put together makes up the PCE component of GDP.

It’s called capitalism. I guess your commie teachers in fcps never taught you this.

Reading comprehension is an issue I see. OP asked if it was economically sustainable if people curtailed their spending on consumer goods.

Psst. Adam Smith was in many ways a socialist.

Consumerism rots Wrote:
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> I live in an upscale community in McLean

"Would the economy collapse if people stopped spending money on useless shit?"



You are one of those people you imbecile.

Adam Smith Wrote:
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> It’s called capitalism. I guess your commie teachers in fcps
> never taught you this.

Capitalism is the mindless worship of capital on the premise that more and more capital will only move the production possibilities frontier in a desirable direction.

Hmmm... Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Adam Smith Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It’s called capitalism. I guess your commie
> teachers in fcps
> > never taught you this.
>
> Capitalism is the mindless worship of capital on
> the premise that more and more capital will only
> move the production possibilities frontier in a
> desirable direction.


Mindless it is indeed, and unbridled capitalism doesn't work. America is proof of this. The unquestioned worship of the golden calf that is capitalism is holding the United States back. Here in Europe, we've figured out a way to strike a balance between capitalism and certain facets of socialism. Here in Germany, it's referred to as "capitalism with a soul". If it can be done anywhere, it can be done in the States.

Consumerism rots Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I see commercials every day peddling stupid shit
> no one really needs or are awful things to invest
> money in. Apple watches, new cars, robot vacuum
> cleaners, refrigerators with wifi. All of it
> useless and will become obsolete in a few short
> months. I live in an upscale community in McLean
> and could purchase said goods if I wanted to, but
> don’t because I understand the concept of
> depreciation and I hate clutter. I tell all my
> neighbors to avoid such things, but many push
> back, saying they need that new MKZ because Bob
> Jones down the street has one too. Some even claim
> that’s what keeps the economy humming along. But
> is it??

More to the point, would the economy collapse if people actually saved for their future, instead of overextending themselves.

If your income is low enough, you won’t be able to afford to save.

We need to teach the government who's in charge. We should all stop spending for one week. No currency, coins, plastic, or electronic. That would bring the illegitimate step-children to their knees.