Spend less on stuff, more on experiences | James Wallman

Surely we've had enough of materialism? There has to be more to life, so let's try experientialism instead

The most revolutionary idea of the 20th century was to create a throwaway culture whose key features were the practice of consumerism and the value system of materialism. It was driven by innovators such as Earnest Elmo Calkins, Edward Bernays and Christine Frederick to solve the problem of overproduction. In it, careful and frugal people became conspicuous, profligate consumers. It solved the problem that had plagued 99% of people for 99% of human history: scarcity.

This new culture of materialistic consumerism has delivered a dramatic, unprecedented rise in living standards. It has given us central heating, smartphones and wardrobes stuffed with clothes.

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