English 100
Essay 1
Paper or Product Long before the twenty-first century, humankind lived its’ life in a different way. People lived in caves for warmth and protection. For survival they used to pick seeds and fruits, and hunt for food, but like today, they still wanted more. In later years to come, they built houses and farms. People domesticated animals to better assist their work loads. They even improved their use of language, but they still wanted more. Then life began to flourish, and more diverse societies were created. People began conquering the deepest oceans, and the highest mountains, building ships, and finding new land. Still, they wanted more. Then we launched our self into space, and this still wasn’t enough. In today’s society nothing has changed, but our technology advances. The want for “more” still lives on, the more we refer to as consumerism and todays “more” limits the everyday us. Today’s society yearns for a different “more”, a more that is not necessarily a need, a more that ends up putting limitation and strain on our daily lives. In Laurence Shames article, The More Factor, he explains how centuries ago, Americans would look for more in two ways. First, setting up desolate towns in the middle of nowhere, and waiting for the return in the real estate, with hopes that soon the railroad construction would barrel its way into that area. The second reason, and the one that has impacted today, would be working under the presumption that America would keep on booming, if not forever (87). These American’s prospection ended up being right in both instances’, causing todays’ people to live in over populated areas, wanting the “more” in terms of products relating to our technology, other than value like equity or fortune. When we as consumers treat ourselves to the more, we run the risk of setting limitations to our own lives. Instead of decking out the bachelor pad with that 1000 dollar TV, we as American’s could put that money towards some college courses’ to expand our knowledge, or better our future. Instead, we get our enjoyment in that “more”. We know that these objects are going to lose less than half of their value in a few months. If a young American, who was trying to prosper, were to make this purchase while not in the right financial standing, he would find that he would most likely have to set limitations on his spending to compensate for his purchase. There are many Americans that do this on a regular basis, and more times than not they end up in debt filing for bankruptcy. Even an individual with financial stability, will find himself plagued with the burden of limitation. If this individual sets out to invest his money wisely, once he makes a decision on the route he chooses, he will then set the limitation on where his life is going. Society needs to understand that everyone has limits, and that we set our own limits. In order for one to control or understand his limits, one must understand the difference between prioritizing a want and a need. Also, they should understand that the more you obtain the more limits you are going to create for yourself. An individual may find themselves with the things that they want, but they need to understand that they will have to set limits in order to be able to settle into their next venture in society. In, The More Factor, Shames also explains that, “In America, a sense of quality has lagged far behind a sense of scale” (88). Meaning that most American’s are trying to get more, and not worrying about the quality they are putting out. This can be seen a lot in inner city areas when it comes to buying, selling, and renting properties. With money tight, and the banks tied up, your finding property buyers trying to get as many cheap homes as possible to turn a bigger profit. Instead these buyers could have a fewer number of homes, make home revisions and upgrades, increase the property value, and in return better the community and economy. This