Affluenza...the new swine?

These past few days in sociology have really opened my eyes to the reality of our nation's overconsumption. I think everyone has heard that we're "addicted to stuff" as a society, and that the dangers we're overlooking will have disastrous ramifications on future generations. Materialism and competition are becoming understood given factors in life, and that is something that needs to be changed. The United States is more focused on finding the new and improved then finding the solutions to problems we've faced for decades. However, I hope with this recession and the troubles we're facing as a nation, affluenza will get as much media attention as swine flu. Maybe if we raise awareness, we can make changes: slow, progressive changes, but changes nonetheless. It is vital that we change the focus of our lives in order to resurrect our suffering relationships, wallets, and planet.