The Reality of the Situation

Sarah Hite

What Is It?Humans relationship with consumerism and material objects is effecting their relationship with nature and other people.

We tend to rely on material “stuff” for our happiness and contentment, but it is destroying the natural relationship humans share with nature and the world around us.

Also, our obsession with technology and being “connected” through websites such as Facebook and Twitter are causing our personal relationships with other people to become shallow and “wishy-washy”.

AnalysisMany people do not realize how much our everyday habits are effecting the earth.

Example: Toxic Garbage Islandhttp://www.vbs.tv/watch/toxic/toxic-garbage-island-3-of-3

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Marine_debris_on_Hawaiian_coast.jpg

http://cdn.c.ooyala.com/na/vice/8xZTlnOlUN238jJE4fa3iQUREK-Tcm9m/promo72989132

AnalysisHumans personal relationships are also effected by the worlds materialism.

Technology limits the connectedness we experience while interacting face to face with other people.

“For example, we write things like "LOL" and "LMAO" to describe our laughter, but they're no real substitute for hearing people laugh, which has real power to lift our spirits when we're feeling low.”- from article “The Effect Of

Technology On Relationships” by Alex Lickerman, M.D.

http://news.cnet.com/i/bto/20080609/iphone_550x550_540x539.jpg

http://aux3.iconpedia.net/uploads/677166248.png http://jeremytanner.com/images/icons/twitter.png

Humans relationship with consumerism would be considered a complementary relationship because humans are obsessed with material items. We are maximizing the relationship by

using and disposing of large quantities of “stuff” and not caring about what the consequences

are.

The relationship with electronics is the opposite. The technology is dominating our lives because

we can’t stop using it.

ImplicationsBeing ignorant to the damage caused by our relationship with consumerism can

lead to our planet becoming a giant dump.

If we keep hiding behind computers and electronics when trying to connect with someone, we will not be able to face reality and get to know a person for who they

truly are.

BibliographyLickerman, M.D., Alex. "The Effect Of Technology On Relationships | Psychology Today." Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Oct. 2011. <http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201006/the-effect-technology-relationships>.

"TOXIC: Garbage Island 3 of 3 - Toxic | VBS.TV." Online Video Documentaries and Films | VICE Video | United States. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://www.vbs.tv/watch/toxic/toxic-garbage-island-3-of-3>.