“We have created a system for growth that depended on our building more and more stores to sell more and more stuff made in more and more factories in China, powered by more and more coal that would cause more and more climate change but earn China more and more dollars to buy more and more U.S. T-bills so America would have more and more money to build more and more stores and sell more and more stuff that would employ more and more Chinese … We can’t do this anymore.”

The issue we face isn't “buying stuff” per se, it's buying stuff without having a clear idea of a bigger WHY of each purchase.

“We have created a system for growth that depended on our building more and more stores to sell more and more stuff made in more and more factories in China, powered by more and more coal that would cause more and more climate change but earn China more and more dollars to buy more and more U.S. T-bills so America would have more and more money to build more and more stores and sell more and more stuff that would employ more and more Chinese … We can’t do this anymore.”

The issue we face isn't “buying stuff” per se, it's buying stuff without having a clear idea of a bigger WHY of each purchase.

It certainly would be great if the gluttonous, wasteful consumers were victims of the situation.

Sadly, I'm seeing another victim – trust, respect and honesty between people. Cover one's butt by any means necessary. Throw others under the bus. Win at all costs. Protect one's turf. Walls, when we really should be working together.

I certainly hope, though, that the wasteful, gluttonous consumer is a victim of the situation.

Sadly, I'm seeing another victim. Trust, respect and honesty between people. I'm sensing a growing tendency to, by any means necessary, cover one's butt. Throw others under the bus. Defend one's turf. Win at all costs.