Could Thoreau's idea of a simplistic life work in today's society?

Yes

9 of 10

by Liz Cosline

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A simplistic life in a world bombarded by advertisement and news of a failing economy, people being laid off, and often a thousand opinions of how life should be. A world that is filled with complications. But just maybe this is what Thoreau was trying to say in bringing up the though of a simplistic life. Does it mean that we are to do without things or that we seem to collect bright and shiny new things we don't need? Now this doesn't mean that it's bad to want some things and even get somethings just for the fun or pleasure of it. However it may mean that often it goes too far for many. Do we really need 10 pairs of sheets for one bed when sheets are changed let's say once a week? And are any of those sheets never used? Is there any cans of food that haven't been opened for four to six months? What are they being saved for? Some of this seems to come from splurge sales and getting a good deal or maybe just being prepared for something that might happen someday to having more than enough.

The simplistic life is not necessarily doing without. I think it is more not getting caught up in the comparison to others. The neighbors have two cars so I have to have two cars so that I am seen as good as the neighbors. Or maybe society has made people believe that the more they have the more successful they are. The simplistic life redefines this in that enough to have a good life may be enough. That perhaps happiness does not come from all the things that are bought but instead are from the times that are enjoyed.

Often when simplistic is talked about the first thing people think about a life without. To me that is not what was meant. More it is not getting caught up in what others say is important but exploring your needs and wants and finding what fulfills those. Then it becomes about your life inside of any comparisons to others. products that come out such as the WII where it gets tons of publicity all of a sudden becomes something that everyone has to have. If you really want it and it brings fun to you and your family there is nothing wrong with buying it. It's a good product. But is it being bought because it will be a benefit to life or because everyone else is getting it? This is just using the WII as an example and has nothing to do with the WII.

The simplistic life may be just deciding that life is not all about the material things but that everyone should take the time to simply enjoy.

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