Would you say America is the most materialistic/superficial country?

Question

It seems as time goes on America is turning away from its original values and heading toward this huge egotistical and materialistic way of life. Money seems to have taken over everyone's mind, and I think if this continues we are only going to see life get harder. Of course money is important, you can't live in today's world without making some cash. All I'm saying is, if you want to find your niche or your place in life don't look for money to solve your problems. The purest things in life are the simple things.

Answer 1

Are you asking us or telling us?

In any case, no, the United States is not the most materialistic, superficial country in the world.  I've traveled all over the world on business and for materialism and superficiality, nothing beats parts of England.

Answer 2

yup they are...and what you're saying is true.

Answer 3

Well said. However I don't think that America is the most materialistic country. I think that most modern industrialized countries today are on par with America when it comes to idolizing celebrities and materialism.

Answer 4

But I think money is highly important as it enables one to be "miserable in comfort"!!

Answer 5

Believe it or not, the founding fathers knew what they were doing (except they forgot the slavery issue) but we have the right to the pursuit of happiness. Like it or not, you have to be without the right, not to like it. Happy people are strong people, they work because they want to and are more likely to be a success. It promotes kindness and inventiveness. The superficial would be that way no matter where they lived. If that is way they want to be, then they have the right to be that way.  You can only educate, you can't force.

Answer 6

Could be. But at the same time, we are the most generous nation in history. Americans themselves out give our government, which is the most giving government in the world. On top of that, we have sons and daughters who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of others. We have never invaded a country, and taken it over or asked anything in return  

Answer 7

I think its often portrayed like that and celebrity worship glamorized by the media, sort of a junk-food culture but most of my friends and people I know are not like that so no I don't think so. Almost like a huge magnifying glass aimed at one specific part of our society but there is a lot going on in other places that is not necessarily represented proportionally and not a waste of time.  

Answer 8

HK might be more for that matter.

Answer 9

Well yeah. Louis Lapham explains it all so brilliantly in

Nickel and Dimed from The American Ruling Class

on youtube

The price people have to pay for this society is sad.

Answer 10

The fact is, media, any media, even CNN is going to be superficial and Materialistic. But thats just what happens when you have hundreds of thousands of people in one industry that are unaquinted and trying to show each other up. Its all about the ratings baby