You Don't Need the Dollars

After our class's cold read, and seminar, i came to realization how dependent humanity is on money and materialism. Not only is this fact rather depressing, it is also pathetic. We spend so much of our lives doing anything and everything to attain more, that we begin to loose sight of the important aspects of living. So much literature is circled around this human flaw. For example, the whole premise of The Great Gatsby is focused on the corruption of wealth, but I feel like that aspect is especially prevalent now. As a teenage girl, i know that my generation has become so focused on outward appearance. This includes clothing, hair, makeup, shoes, etc. But, the point is, we put so much effort and wealth into material, that we begin to hide ourselves. We become so wrapped up in social media, and attaining the perfect image, just like "Devastating Beauty" showed us. These are all earthly matters and worries. Instead of putting all this money into personal "up-keeping", we could really be making a difference. Do you know, on average, how much a pair of decent shoes cost? I would say at least $60, and that is cutting it real close. How many starving children do you think that money could feed? There is a difference. Even though i am a huge victim to the pressure of earthly goods, I know that we could do so much better. If society, as a whole, could just let loose of the "want" for money, everyone would achieve so much more happiness. Not only for themselves, but for others as well. Don't you think that's a bit ironic, considering we have always clung to money for happiness? The cliche is right, money really can't buy happiness.