Skip to main content

THE GENERAL MALAISE OF CONSUMERISM


Image result for quotes on consumerism

I find it difficult to buy stuff while stuck in traffic. Judging by the number of people who eagerly buy 4-5 food items, ranging from a bottle of drink to ‘wara’ (cheese) or gala; I’d say I’m a part of the minority; owing as it may be however, to a myriad of factors [I think I have a small bladder, for instance- and this propels me to frequently void urine].
I understand that people might be hungry and thus need to eat while stuck in traffic; but what really baffles me is how people would pay 1,500 naira as transport fare and spend close to 1,000 naira on consumables.
When I see a scenario similar to that playing out, I subconsciously come to the conclusion that ‘this person is more likely to be poor than rich’. I might be wrong, but I don’t see a lot of rich individuals buying consumables with their ‘2 pence’. Instead, it’s the ‘talikas’ (poor people) who freely distribute the little they have in traffic. Little wonder, that the poor get poorer and the rich, richer with such a mentality? This is of course, my subjective conclusion and very open to factual debate.
Instead of aimlessly accumulating consumables, the rich invest in pliable trades, seeing opportunities in seemingly rotten places and making the best out of such circumstances.
Barely 56, we as Nigerians need to change our mentality on a lot of issues. We need to rise up to the task of building our nation, and this would not happen if we are stuck in a culture of consumerism.
#My own 2 pence.’
P.S: Let the comments and questions roll in people!
More stuff on #Lateral thinking next Thursday.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Lateral Thinking with FEMI OLADELE

Blessed trinity; how many times and in how many ways? How convenient it is for me to try to estimate the virtues that the presence of GOD exudes; in ignorance obviously. Can you imagine the power of HIS might? And HE took me through a journey of understanding and I failed HIS test, because my human ability is frail and fails. Only a supernatural understanding of GOD as the three-in-one GOD appearing as: Our help in ages past; Our hope for years to come; and Our very present help in time of need. If you therefore need help, fetch from the fullness thereof; it is inexhaustible yet with a price. Many misconstrue the gifts of GOD as free; I presume, it is cheap and affordable but not free. The difference between HIM and his arch rival is that the latter charges high interests like Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria. GOD pays premium however; if you have to choose; choose LIFE and BLESSING. It is not without challenges that this life we live, that I live, actually.

#PROSE MONDAY# THE LINE

There is an arbitrary line, which once you cross, you know in your heart that you can’t step back. This is for those of us who have crossed that line and now, are somewhere betwixt full fruition and total loss… ‘If I did not dream, it would have been acceptable, If I didn’t nurse these thoughts to maturity, I would be flawlessly faultless, And if I had used adequate contraception to intercept this zygotic dream, this musing would be absolutely unnecessary, But the truth is, right now, I have lost the right to give up and as a matter of necessity, I have to reach the other line- the finish line. In and out of the labour ward, that has to be my future route. Now whether or not there’d be an after party, that’s seemingly irrelevant. Provided my baby is born! And although, like hyperbaric oxygen, the O ₂ of fierce thoughts roll through  my mind at an extremely high pressure, I have to stand. And yet, if a lumber puncture is done on my mind, there is a si...

RESOURCEFULNESS

We all have about 6 needs, which we have to uncover, not necessarily create: ·          CERTAINTY ·          UNCERTAINTY ·          SIGNIFICANCE ·          CONNECTION & LOVE ·          GROWTH ·          CONTRIBUTION, WHICH IS BEYOND OURSELVES The first 4 needs don’t necessarily bring about fulfillment but the last two do. You can have all the comfort/certainty in the world and still remain unfulfilled. You could even switch over to variety i.e. uncertainty-yes, you’ld get adrenaline pumping through your veins, but it’ld be temporary. Significance? We all try to find significance, be it through achievements or by gaining recognition as one thing or the other. Connection is a beautiful thing and love is very accepting, irrespectiv...