I'm guessing you would not have read books by Lyn Reid Banks? Maybe the children ones, Indian in the Cupboard? She also wrote several set in Israel, or partly set there, some of the time on a kibbutz. The contrast is made between life there in the 1960s and 90s and life in Canada or the UK. I suppose they are 'chick' books, but mainly because they deal with emotions and people while set in a world that has drama and danger as natural events.
One teenage one I read (well after being a teenager) and re-read recently is One More River. I'm just reading the sequel, The Broken Bridge. One of the characters is assessing how his life has gone in the last 20 years. What are the material gains worth and what is important. She is a really good author. I find I care about the people and want to turn the pages after page one, which is more than with many authors.
Hmmm, one could certainly make the case that caring for some 'material things' is a worthy trait.
Especially given how broad a spectrum the label 'material things' covers.
I suppose what makes it worthy will be whether the motivation is purely selfish, demonstrative of a magpie trait so to speak. Or whether the thing has importance to the person over and above mere status symbol, beyond being a trinket, for example its cultural or historical significance:)
In the context of the post, material things like expensive haircuts (mm, are they a material thing?), fat cars, flash watches, stuff one doesn't really need but that some people seem to really feel they just can't live without - because if they don't own, well, the Jones's win (and I seem to have lost the urge to keep up with them).
Re: Old Chinese ProverbpaulneedsAugust 27 2008, 15:06:43 UTC
As with everything, it's where the line is drawn. This proverb, like another similar Chinese one "No Money - no life", points out that having nothing is not good.
The pursuit of cash at all costs is obviously immoral. The desire for sufficient money surely isn't?
As for material things, I wouldn't like to put all those nice workers at Mercedes out of jobs. ;)
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One teenage one I read (well after being a teenager) and re-read recently is One More River. I'm just reading the sequel, The Broken Bridge. One of the characters is assessing how his life has gone in the last 20 years. What are the material gains worth and what is important. She is a really good author. I find I care about the people and want to turn the pages after page one, which is more than with many authors.
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I guess it's looking back (and being old enough to have a fair bit of history to view) that makes me realise I have more than enough material stuff.
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Especially given how broad a spectrum the label 'material things' covers.
I suppose what makes it worthy will be whether the motivation is purely selfish, demonstrative of a magpie trait so to speak. Or whether the thing has importance to the person over and above mere status symbol, beyond being a trinket, for example its cultural or historical significance:)
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Rather you always take a different route :-)
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Not in my world.
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The pursuit of cash at all costs is obviously immoral. The desire for sufficient money surely isn't?
As for material things, I wouldn't like to put all those nice workers at Mercedes out of jobs. ;)
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