ThirstyFish

Sadly, "I Shop, Therefore I Am" defines the experience and the meaning of life for so many. Even for those who knowingly or unknowingly are Social Darwinists, it should be conceivable that "survival" in the greater sense depends on knowing and knowing correctly. In other words, "what you don't know will get you", and "what you misknow will be your doom". Shopping and other distractions such at watching television - rather than learning about things that matter - has both individual and social consequences.

Here are some statistics: Half of U.S. adults are unable to read an 8th grade level book. 42% of college students and 33% of U.S. high school graduates will never read another book after they graduate and 80% of all U.S. families did not buy a book this year.

Not only do we find meaning in shopping at a personal level, we are defined by it socially. Once upon a time, people were regarded by their virtues; honesty, hard work, knowledge, integrity and generosity. These days, we "respect" people by their ability to spend. We strive to be like them - there is always someone who can out-shop you.