LHawk, I certainly have no desire to defend the rampant consumerism and thing-worship which has become the ultimate aspiration for many people in the world. I just don't buy it (no pun intended) as the essence of American Culture. I believe all technological democracies in the modern world are driven by the same consumerism. Even Third World developing nations seem to aspire to the same philosophies, and it's understandable : in a world where physical manifestation is the be-all and end-all, enhancement of the physical experience is the ultimate good. We want to go faster, look prettier, smell better, be free from all the nagging little mortal urges as expeditiously as possible. This is human nature, not learned behavior.

In past, artists, priests, musicians, poets, philosophers, architects and others pointed the way to transcendance of physical being, and perception of the individual as an integral part of nature and God. These people were given a platform by the Church or the King to present their views. Their descendants may be with us in some form today, but unless they can turn a buck for somebody, or for themselves, you probably won't hear from them.

Well, MAYBE on Mudcat :>}