Many economists in the US, including Paul Krugman believe that we must consume in order to have a healthy economy. Is this OK if we exploit the planet, deplete resources, go into heavy debt and mortgage our and our children's futures? It is if you don't believe that we have a future. If you believe we are doomed. This then becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Without an eye on the future by avoiding considering future needs we guarantee that we will not have one. Somehow we have convinced ourselves that we deserve to have everything and to leave nothing for our progeny. Overall we buy too much, the biggest cars which use the most gasoline. We eat too much and are in danger of shortening our lives due to obesity. This is all part of the overconsumption we are being encouraged to do. We are told it is good for the economy. We have no concept of future, not our own or that of our children, grandchildren, etc. We are big, fat, selfish, greedy, ego-centric and thoughtless consumers. A comprehensive article by Bill McKibben in the New York Review of Books (6/10/04) discusses the many books that have been written to make the point that we are quickly destroying our environment so as to make this planet unlivable in the future. One more reference is to a book review entitled Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid. by Verlyn Klinkenborg in the Times Book Review of 5/30/04. This author concludes " ...nearly everyone is aware of the dramatic changes in the world. Yet we continue to live in the assumption that we can ride out the changes without changing ourselves..."

# Posted by Eve Winer on 6/3/04; 9:24:29 AM - --