Please, Sir, May I Have Some More?

My friend Dave has a great article on Boundless this week. In "How Big is Your Latte?" he considers the culture of "more" in which we live. He makes a great point that when it comes to indulgence, there's not much difference between a 2-year-old and the average American.

My 2-year-old son already has a fascination with more. He loves to see the train go by, so we always point it out to him when we see it coming. He watches with excitement, and as soon as it passes, he doesn't say, "That was cool!"; he says, "I wanna see another one choo-choo!" The same goes with snacks. When we give him animal crackers, before he even eats one, he says, "I need more animal crackers." Not "thank you," but "more." And even worse, he has learned to distort the distinction between wanting and needing more.

The more problem infects not only individuals. Consumers and businesses have collaborated to create a culture of craving. How often do we hear advertisements say, "indulge yourself," "you deserve it," "pamper yourself"? (Picture a big piece of chocolate cake with chocolate icing taking up your TV screen — just for you!) And if they don't say it outright, they imply it with images of people who indulge themselves on the latest fashion, food, or fun — people who, no less, look physically, socially, and emotionally healthy.

If this post has left you wanting "more," read the rest of the article.