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             2) We know satisfaction from materialism is not long lasting. Discuss the correlation materialism and depression.

             One of the wisest and most memorable lines, in my opinion, from the long-running television series, "Star Trek", is the pointy-eared character, Mr. Spock's, observation that "wanting is better than having". American society, unfortunately, is extremely materialistic and acquisitive. Factors that can cause widespread depression within this shallow and materialistic social milieu are that: (1) no matter what one has, the mass media successfully creates the perception that one never truly has enough, and that there are always more, better, more expensive, more prestigious, etc., things to be acquired; (2) possessions very seldom truly offer the emotional or psychic payoff, or increased self-esteem; attractiveness to others, or personal popularity that the products are advertised as offering; and (3) most people, with average, below average, or even above average incomes, simply cannot afford to purchase everything that have been socially conditioned to want and/or think they need. .

             Depression can also occur, within typical American societal circumstances, when someone feels competitive about material possessions, e.g., "my neighbor just got a new BMW (or house; swimming pool; boat; etc., and I want one but I cannot afford one"). Materialism is so much ingrained as a value within our society that it is often hard for many people to separate their own self worth from what they have or do not have. This is not helped, either, by the fact that most Americans watch far too much television for good physical and emotional health, and characters on television (even the ones that play unskilled workers and other such "moderate income" people, are all shown as living as if they were wealthy. In order to combat, as a society, depression based on materialism, there needs to be more emphasis on the truth of who someone is, on the inside, and much less emphasis on what one owns.