In Defense of Wanting Things
We’ve made wanting things into a moral failing. Want a nicer car? You’re materialistic. Want recognition at work? You’re vain. Want your ex back? You’re pathetic. Want to be rich? You’re shallow. But here’s what I notice: the people who shame desire the most still want things. They just want different things. The monk who’s renounced material possessions? He wants enlightenment. The minimalist who owns twelve items? She wants simplicity. The stoic who claims to be above it all?...