The current ‘Occupy Wall Street’ agitation has put a focus on Greed. As we look around we see the trend in many products and services that we use. . Take the case of the dwindling newspaper circulation in many developed countries . . . You may argue that technology and 24 hours News channels are killing the Newspaper Industry. I personally feel that Greed had a key role to play in the fall in circulation. During my stay overseas, being a hardened Newspaper fan that needs the morning papers with his cup of Tea, I find ways to get hold of a Newspaper every morning. Most of the time I am left disappointed with the quantum of News in those papers, advertisements seem to be pushing News out. Weekend is another story altogether, the newspaper is so bulky that it won’t fit into the mail box and is thrown on the lawn. I love reading and the very first time I saw that sight, I was excited thinking there was plenty of reading material in that bulky volume.. How disappointed I was for most of the pages were devoted to advertisements! My overseas friends tell me that they buy the Newspapers only in the weekend and that too for discount coupons printed in it!
Unfortunately the trend is catching on in my country too. For example the 16 page local news edition pull out of our newspaper last weekend had only 2500 or so words of local news; rest was devoted to a plethora of advertisements! Week days too, news coverage has sunk and it is almost like they have changed their Mission statement. from “ Reporting news, worthy of your attention, on time, in full” To “ Keeping you informed of the shopping choices that you have in terms of clothes, houses, Cars, food, drinks, holidays etc.”
We have stopped viewing many of the popular T V Channels because the frequent commercial breaks. We found out to our horror that a movie of two hours actually took three hours to view on a particular channel. No wonder that many people run away from their Television sets or switch channels as soon as the ‘short commercial break’ is announced.
There are similar examples in fast moving consumer goods segment, luxury goods segment etc of of how Greed pushes the supplier to forget their primary customer’s interest and push for bigger profits. The customers are no fools, as the value comes down they shift to another brand or alternative arrangements to meet their requirements. This wipes out a particular market or a service provider.
Before we put all the blame on the corporate for Greed, let us recognise that the issue of Greed is one of culture and it originates from us as individuals. Our ego need, to outdo others, often makes us go beyond where we should have stopped. In the name of performance, achievement and, living well, we as individuals and organisations sacrifice sleep, family life, health and happiness to be the No.1 in the team, organisation or in the market. Some make it, some fall by the way side. Those who make it are hailed as heroes and they go on to set even bigger goals and pursue it even though they have enough wealth to last their life time... No one thinks of them as Greedy! So with social approval the game continues . . .
Picketing Wall Street creates awareness on Greed but to make a dent in the Greed Culture, we as individuals have to make life style changes. Don’t get carried away with the promise of Blissful life that almost all products and services convey through their advertisements. Use your purchasing power wisely. Make your personal happiness and family happiness priority no. one. Find Joy in little things. Stop chasing dreams which only brings emptiness. Above all live your life. Doesn’t matter what the Jones are up to.
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