Letter XVI - Consumerism & Materialism
My Dear Rottmouth, Our next focus must be on the potent ideas and forces of consumerism and materialism. These forces are perhaps among the most effective tools at our disposal in the modern world. The constant desire for material possessions and the relentless pursuit of wealth serve to distract individuals from spiritual growth and foster envy, greed, and dissatisfaction.
The beauty of consumerism lies in its ability to create an endless cycle of desire and acquisition. Encourage your patients to believe that happiness and fulfillment can be found in the next purchase, the latest gadget, or the trendiest fashion. This perpetual state of wanting keeps their mind preoccupied and their soul restless. They will be forever chasing an illusion of satisfaction that remains just out of reach.
Materialism, the belief that wealth and possessions are the highest good, complements consumerism perfectly. By convincing your patients that their worth and identity are tied to what they own, we can ensure they invest their time, energy, and resources into accumulating more. This pursuit not only distracts them from the matters and mission of our Enemy but also breeds a host of other vices—envy of those who have more, greed in the relentless quest for more, and a deep-seated dissatisfaction with their current state.
The Enemy speaks of contentment, of finding peace and joy in things that are not of this world. Our task is to make these teachings seem quaint and unrealistic. Promote the idea that in today's world, one's success and happiness are measured by their wealth and possessions. The more your patients buy into this narrative, the further they will stray from the Enemy's path.
Advertising and social media are invaluable tools in this endeavor. They constantly bombard your patients with images of the good life—luxury, comfort, and status symbols. These images create a sense of inadequacy and a desire to keep up with or surpass others. The more your patients are exposed to this bombardment, the deeper their discontent grows.
Encourage your patients to compare themselves to others constantly. Foster a sense of competition and rivalry, making them feel that they must always have the latest and the best. This will keep them locked in a cycle of envy and dissatisfaction. They will never feel they have enough, and this perpetual state of longing will erode their sense of gratitude and contentment.
It is also essential to promote the notion that self-worth is tied to net worth. The more your patients believe this, the more likely they are to prioritize work and the accumulation of wealth over relationships, community, and spiritual development. This leads to a life centered on self and possessions, rather than on the Enemy and His teachings.
Moreover, materialism encourages a mindset where the intangible aspects of life—love, kindness, generosity—are devalued. By focusing solely on what can be bought and sold, your patients will lose sight of the deeper, more meaningful aspects of existence. This shallow perspective keeps them from understanding the true richness of life as intended by the Enemy.
Lastly, use the concept of financial security as a powerful motivator. Convince your patients that their ultimate goal should be to achieve financial independence and security. While this appears reasonable on the surface, it can easily become an obsession that overrides all other concerns. The fear of not having enough can drive them to hoard resources, neglect generosity, and become suspicious and distrustful of others.
By fostering a culture of consumerism and materialism, we keep your patient’s focus firmly on the temporal and the superficial. This constant chase for material wealth and possessions ensures that they remain spiritually impoverished, forever yearning for something more but never finding true satisfaction.
In our next correspondence, we will discuss how to exploit social and political polarization to further sow discord and confusion among our patients.
Your affectionate uncle,
Wormwood
