1. Assignment 1: An individual research project on the pedagogy: critical interpretation and evaluation of culture. By Jessica Gill

2. Topic: The myth of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies.

3. Definitions  Economic growth: an increase in the amount of goods and services produced per head of the population over a period of time.  Consumerism: the protection or promotion of the interests of consumers.  Consumerist societies: “Consumerism describes a society in which many people formulate their goals in life partly through acquiring goods that they clearly do not need for subsistence or for traditional display. They become enmeshed in the process of acquisition — shopping — and take some of their identity from a [possession] of new items that they buy and exhibit.” (Stearns 2006:viii) Topic: The myth of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies.

4. Introduction The topic suggests that the idea of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies is false. Societies today focus too much on materialism (video games, toys, clothes, cars etc.) and often people believe that this is the only important thing in their lives. Our society of consumerism challenges so many to think they need more and more. Our lives today are consumed with money, consumerism and materialism. Consumerist societies challenge the idea that economic growth is regarded more important than education, religion and faith, environment, family, friendships etc. As people are growing up with this ideology, it will be long held important for generations to come. But is maintaining economic growth fundamental to our lives today?

5. Topic: The myth of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies. Raymond J. de Souza: Pope John Paul II and the Problem of Consumerism What is consumerism? It is not very easy to define, but a good, working definition might be that consumerism is a way of living in which the person, at least in practice, makes consumer goods the object of his heart’s desire; that is, they become the source of his identity and the goal toward which his life is oriented. Consumption is obviously necessary–there would be no economy without consumers. Consumerism arises when the person becomes an object that consumes solely for himself, rather than a subject who uses material goods in order to give himself to others. Consumers should remind themselves of other fundamental areas of their lives; first and foremost; people.

6. Topic: The myth of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies. Finite Planet

7. Topic: The myth of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies. Finite Planet Consumerism rests on the assumption that the economy will grow and grow forever and pay for any excesses we allow ourselves today. But infinite growth is incompatible with a finite planet, finite resources, a finite ecology. Infinite growth is cancer. But if we humans are to survive we're going to have to stop over-producing [and stop over indulging] - ourselves and everything else. If we can't face the future without an eternally expanding economy, we won't have one – it’s impossible. Dick Smith discusses these ideas of a finite world in his video. He states that when you have an economy based on perpetual growth, it’s not sustainable. Click on the picture of Dick Smith to view the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFqa6XjfuGA

8. Topic: The myth of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies. The High Price of Materialism In this video, psychologist Tim Kasser discusses how America's culture of consumerism undermines our well-being. When people buy into the ever-present marketing messages that "the good life" is "the goods life," they not only use up Earth's limited resources, but they are less happy and less inclined towards helping others. The animation both lays out the problems of excess materialism and points towards solutions that promise a healthier, more just, and more sustainable life. Again, consumers should remind themselves of other fundamental areas of life; people and themselves. Click on the picture to view the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGab38pKscw

9. Topic: The myth of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies. Tim Kasser’s video: This video clearly highlights the myth of economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies, and turns viewers’ attention to the following points:  “The good life” is attainable through “the goods life” by making lots of money and spending it on products that claim to make us happy, loved and esteemed.  $150 million in America is spent each year to ensure consumer messages are imbedded throughout our life; through advertisements (which will be explored on a later slide), news reports, TV shows, websites, public bathrooms, etc.  Consumerism encourages people to become concerned with higher salaries and owning more “stuff”. This affects people’s wellbeing and the environment, as people focus more on materialism and are oblivious to its impact.

10. Topic: The myth of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies. Further points from Tim Kasser’s video: The more people value materialistic aspirations and goals, the lower their happiness. There are two basic principles for change that can help frame the way forward. These include: 1.The need to understand what causes people to prioritise materialistic values. ◦E.g. when people feel insecure, when they are exposed to the media 2.Promoting intrinsic values- which leads to personal, social and ecological wellbeing, and also immunises people against materialism. ◦E.g. growing as a person, being close to one’s family and friends, volunteering By working on these changes, people can break free of materialism, improve their wellbeing and participate in a more humane society and a more sustainable world.

11. Topic: The myth of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies. Advertisements: Aiding Consumerism

12. Topic: The myth of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies. Advertisements: Aiding Consumerism There are advertisements aimed towards people of all ages, races, genders and socio-economic statuses. The purpose of advertisements is to persuade viewers of something in particular; a point of view or fact. Consumeristic messages are everywhere; it is part of our popular culture and can often be so prevalent that viewers adopt it automatically. Some persuasion tactics of advertisements in terms of economic growth and consumerism include:  telling people what they need to buy in order to have a happy and meaningful life  telling parents that if they don’t buy certain things then their children will be behind intellectually/socially In our consumeristic culture, marketers and advertisers disciple every single one of us, attempting to persuade us that their products will provide us all that our hearts deeply desire — identity, meaning, purpose, worth, belonging. This is a myth.

13. Topic: The myth of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies. Humour and Satire Humour and satire have long been utilised to portray a point of view and to call into question particular thinking and values within the culture. These pictures highlight one of the excesses of contemporary consumerism in the United States. Children become reliant upon and are more concerned with materialism; the virtual world is more appealing and possibly less frightening.

14. Topic: The myth of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies. Pope Francis’ Views: Pope Francis in his publication Evangelii gaudium (the Joy of evangelisation) has stressed the need for looking critically at the way culture affects people's thinking, values and behaviour. The pressures placed on children and adults by consumerism, and the need for constant and immediate stimulation and information is impacting their thoughts, values and behaviour. For example:  The Catholic Schools at a Crossroads document written by the Catholic bishops of NSW and ACT (2007) states that there is a ‘crisis in Catholic identity’ in Catholic schools. However a critical analysis of this highlights the possibility that there is a crisis in the church rather than the school; as schools are growing, and the church is declining. It is interesting to question why church goers are declining. It could be said that the materialistic possessions people own and obtain that desire for, are drawing all of the attention away from the church. Parents may believe that if their children are learning about Religious Education in schools, then why do they also have to take them [and themselves] to church?

15. Topic: The myth of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies. How to assist young children when coming across social issues? The question then arises: What can the school in general and Religious Education in particular do to help young people learn skills in the identification and evaluation of the various social issues that they are going to encounter. It is important in this day and age; the 21st Century, to teach children how to become critical analysers of what they see, hear, read and believe, in order for them to generate an informed opinion of increasing social issues. Additionally, it is imperative to teach children how to act upon their informed opinions, in terms of thoughts, values, behaviour and actions. Children must learn to recognise and appreciate other fundamental areas of their life, such as family, friends, education, religion/faith and the environment etc.

16. Topic: The myth of maintaining economic growth as fundamental to consumerist societies. Conclusion Myth: society preoccupied with lifestyle and individual well-being, where the dominant, and relatively unquestioned mood is that this can be achieved happily through excessive consumerism. Consuming is not bad; it is a necessary element of life. However, an enormous problem arises when decisions about consuming move from meeting basic needs to searching for identity, meaning, purpose and belonging. This is consumerism, and maintaining economic growth alone is not fundamental to consumerist societies. Richard John Neuhaus states: “[Consumerism] is first and foremost a cultural and moral problem requiring a cultural and moral remedy.” Economic growth is necessary, but it is not fundamental. In order for a society to be maintained for the generations to come, consumers must refocus their attention away from their own materialistic desires and onto other areas of basic need such as education, religion/faith and/or the environment. Consumers must consider how their actions can negatively impact themselves, other people and the environment.

17. Bibliography http://steadystate.org/discover/faqs/ http://www.acton.org/pub/religion-liberty/volume-9-number-5/john-paul-ii-and-problem- consumerism#.VSYmaOa0FyA.mailtohttp://www.acton.org/pub/religion-liberty/volume-9-number-5/john-paul-ii-and-problem- consumerism#.VSYmaOa0FyA.mailto http://www.huffingtonpost.com/philip-slater/an-economy-based-on-consu_b_144930.html http://deoxy.org/korten_myths.htm http://babcicky.com/definition-of-a-consumerist-society/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfQvvzLBRzU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGab38pKscw http://www.huffingtonpost.com/philip-slater/an-economy-based-on-consu_b_144930.html http://chimes.biola.edu/story/2013/nov/18/consumerism-and-discipleship/ http://www.johnehrenfeld.com/2009/03/is-consumerism-dead.html