Our Mean Entertainments (after Ehrenreich)

[krinndnz]

Let me tell you about a terrible habit of mine. I think less of my money-starved friends when, for instance, they make serial videogame purchases, they go see movies, they eat out. I shout in my head - no! what are you thinking, those are luxuries, save your money and fight the poverty

Comments

[postrodent]

This is a damned fine post here, particularly for having been written in twenty minutes

[paka]

those are luxuries, save your money and fight the povertyAgain, the morale thing. Poor people buy things for the same reason as rich people, but the scale is different in several ways

[silveradept]

I agree with this post, and I know how hard it can be to look at the decisions of someone else and not say "But if you did this, it would be better for you!" because, well, we're not that person.

We're also very angry that this country, for all its famed wealth, prosperity, and opportunity, is remarkably good at turning a blind eye to those who haven't got as much as they do, and at inducing as much shame as is possible to those who need assistance.

[lhexa]

I've felt the impulse to criticize an individual purchase while disregarding the larger context, too. It's a decidedly petty impulse, like looking down on people for venting