Conscious Communications

Social Media + Crunchtime Society = Kick Materialism, be Happy!

What am I talking about?

The current discussions on happiness. The proof that happiness doesn’t depend on buying more stuff in the Christmas sales. The discussions about Bhutan and its opt-out of the “more, more, more” race. A lot has been written and discussed.

The direction I’m coming from is related to the Bhutan discussion. I’ve studied a lot of ancient Eastern literature during my idealistic early twenties and lived in a commune of like-minded people. Of course, any organisation has its shortcomings, especially one that gives its managers absolute power over the masses, so I’m thinking more independently now – but that discussion is for another day.

Fact is that we are all influenced. Brainwashed. There is the fact that we are soul. We are naturally happy. We want beauty, peace. But what happened?

The ancient scriptures were written in a time when there was still a lot more goodness in society than now. Now, things are a lot more obvious. Maya – illusion – the voice telling us that one more Gucci bag paid for by our Credit card and a bigger flatscreen TV will make us happier, or whatever it is that floats your boat – is not even half as deep as it used to be, and easily refuted even by basic economics. You don’t even need to be a philosopher and talk about sense gratification not providing lasting happiness and hence to be avoided, we don’t even get any real sense gratification any more! We go to work to pay our debts, we watch rubbish reality TV, we buy shoddy goods we don’t need, that break faster and faster every year. Why?

Life’s tough when you can prove that the government rates economic development higher than its citizens’ wellbeing. Who cares if you go out into nature to experience peace? Nobody profits from that. Let’s start a huge campaign to get more people to the shopping centres at the weekends, that’s going to help the economy!

Yes, it helps the economy. But what does it do for us? It robs us of the things we should be really interested in. Community is a big buzzword. But is the government really interested in fostering a community spirit that will make everyone more happy within themselves, when that causes us to spend less time on the High Street?

What do we allow to influence our minds? If we know our own happiness is dependent on non-material things – friends, fulfilment, family, and yes, some sort of spiritual life – if that means church to you, or volunteering at your local animal shelter… Would we not want to get to know and support those around us who are enabling these things?

Here’s the news – with social networking, it’s up to all of us. Follow Britney, or follow your local whole food group. Let Rupert Murdoch decide what you’re into, or decide yourself, starting from your own basic interests. Everything starts from realising that we not only need to stand up for ourselves but also now we have two amazing things:

1. Proof that the government doesn’t work for us but for big money, so rather than waiting for it to be sorted out, we have to do it ourselves – and
2. The facilities to do actually do this and get in touch with people around us. Social media.

Yes people are still people but let’s not underestimate each other. The bad guys will try to take over but the more we can stand up against corporate interests, the better for everyone. Bring out your inner revolutionary, stand up for your own interests, kick materialism. Kick yourself in the backside. Be happy.