America's kryptonite

The article by Jeff Dardozzi explains that the only way to support the economy is to consume endlessly. The rebound effect explained in the article is basically saying that when a resource is available to everyone at a low cost the demand increases and we use more of that resource. For example, this hasn’t happened yet exactly, but when everyone wants to use “Environment Friendly” household cleaners, the demand will rise and more energy will have to be put into manufacturing cleansers that are suppose to be better for the environment. Another example would be the University institution, back in the day not as many people could go to college but with the increase in technology and a growing middle class many more people, of a diverse population, can obtain a higher education. This increase in population puts an ever increasing demand on Universities’ energy resources but at the same time allows people to better educate themselves, which produces many solutions to the ever growing problems of our time.
Since the 1950’s there as been a growing pressure on the American public to spend, spend, spend. It’s what makes the American world go ‘round and if people were to all of sudden stop spending money there would be an instant crash in economic and societal structure. In the article the author explains that corporate America has produced a “sea of ‘selves’”, which means that everyone thinks they’re the most important person and their needs are more important regardless to others and the environment. This is an idea I really agree with because I live in an era where demands are basically instantaneously met and where advertisements are as abundant as the air we breathe, just these few ideas perpetuate the betterment of the individual rather than the whole.
The article suggests that people need two things in their existence to live harmoniously, the civic and the divine. The civic, is the rights, responsibilities and obligations one has to others, not to themselves. The divine means that people need to function beyond themselves, and think of the greater good, the greater spiritual necessity. Personally I agree with a lot of the ideas the author wrote. Specifically, that it’s a waste of money, time and energy to invest in energy alternatives and that even if the Western world were to totally “go green”, China and India would mess it all up anyway, there’s logic behind the Dardozzi’s theory and writing. I also agree with the idea that as times get harder and there is less disposable income people will revert to a utilitarian society, which, in my opinion, is a welcomed way to live even if it means the end to the economy as we know it.
I don’t think there is any obvious correlation to the article Dardozzi wrote and Veterans day, except if one reflects on the military institution as being a black hole of resources and energy. First off I support the men and women sacrificing themselves for me and mine. But I also whole heartedly disagree with the military institution that wars over oil and has been desecrating a culture for the last three decades. Furthermore, Veterans day has become one of the biggest “sales” days in America, further influencing people to spend and consume which is ultimately America’s kryptonite.