Society was set up for individuals to benefit each other to a greater degree than possible on their own. It allowed more advanced forms of production to develop, such as farming and craftsmanship. When society had reached the point is has now, where we are in constant competition with one another it is antithetical to the point of society. This is almost straight from Marx's mouth. Furthermore, by placing all against all as in capitalism the goal of consumption is more efficiently propagated. That is, capitalism is founded by the base need for individuals to consume commodities. Once these are given value in the form of fetishism or applied to the identity of the individual, they become far more important to the individual than their material worth. This explains why products of very little use-value or are labor intensive to obtain (such as diamonds) still maintain high prices and social value. For instance, collector's items or rare kitsch products such as records share this value. If one wants an original print Beatles album, they will have to pay a great deal of money to obtain it. However, it is not the music that it worth so much, but rather the commodity of the rare physical product and the social worth placed on it. One can claim to be a "bigger fan" and thus add merit to their personality as one who appreciates the Beatles more than others. This is of course superficial because it is not the music placed in high esteem, rather their ability to obtain Beatles merchandise.
This type of reification of products onto the self of the individual is what makes capitalism so difficult to overcome. It spiritualizes products as well as the means to achieve them. Thus the only way to perpetuate capitalism is to keep others against each other, constantly competing to obtain these "holy" objects that are somehow marketed as rarities. If a product is not rare or valuable in some way, it will artificially be made so. It is no coincidence limited sets of products are released at absurd prices. This raises their value. Even if an object is of no worth, once its monetary value is specified, it takes on a higher form of value. The Beatles record for instance may have only been a dime upon its initial release, but now one may pay thousands of dollars for it. It functions and sounds the same as a newly printed record and arguable CD. Even if it doesn't function as well as a new pressing, it is elevated by psychological attachment; by metaphysical value. This infects all forms of value and quality of authentic lifestyles in the modern world. The phenomenon of giving cards for example. The mere expression of gratitude is not as worthwhile as if one spent money on a card, which is prewritten to express whatever emotion the consumer wishes to portray. It is a form of personal marketing, placing a colorful and flashy item in front of another to drive home the point visually. What is inside is transformed into a personal sentiment to the recipient, although there are millions like it received by others. Again, the expression of gratitude, joy, or whatever sentiment intended is not authentic unless accompanied by a product.
This infection has spread further into the morals and values of society. How one spends their time can be understood using the same approach. If one does not have a financial or useful commodity to accompany their action, than the action is viewed with little worth. Playing music in front of several hundred people is worth more or less based on the pay rate of the musicians or the effectiveness of the performance to promote the band and sell records. It is not the value of the performance as such, the energy and expression of music as life fulfilling and psychologically transcendent, but rather if the performance will equate into any tangible gain. Philosophy suffers the same; if one does not become famous, and fortunate, than their philosophy isn't worth their time. Both illustrate the vast superficiality of two human creations that have immeasurable importance and potential on the value of existence. This is a squandering of all that is good for the sake of utility. This is capitalism.
I've heard arguments that capitalism promotes the best products, motivates people to aim higher and achieve greater. I ask you, look around at those companies, celebrities, artists, musicians, etc. that are most financially successful and tell me if they are what you would consider the cream of the crop? It's laughable. McDonalds and Lady GaGa are not only the top grossers but are also the grossest. Talent and worth cannot be determined financially or through utility. The wrench, hammer and screwdriver may be the most useful of modern tools, yet cost only a few dollars. Books contain information that can positively shape the consciousness and reality of countless individuals, yet are worth less than a PS3, which does the opposite. A great deal of labor and time has been put into the production of both, yet one is financially valued more than the other.
Houses are merely mud and wood, and televisions are copper and glass. Move on, get over it. We need to stop the transposition of value onto these material items. What has happened in our country is a secularized version of what has occurred in civilizations since the advent of Christianity.. Higher values are made out to be lower while the weaker are made to look stronger. That is, what is noble and really more valuable to humanity is being demonized while less valuable ideals are being touted not only as more important, but eternal and essential to existence. An example of this is the emphasis placed on security. Countless companies and advertising campaigns promote the idea of comfort and security, playing on your biggest fears and insecurities. "What if" is hung over our heads and the grim uncertainty of life is blown up to make us clench our possessions and lighten our wallets. The solutions are often absurd means to achieving security if not all together futile. Identity theft protection won't do shit if someone really wants to use your name. Home alarm systems and car alarms have become so hap-hazardous no one takes them seriously. They never tell you how to really protect yourself or to purchase a gun. Real strength is never encouraged, only the sublimation of real power into forms that not only weaken the individual but the community as well. Regardless of what you are told, one weak person brings down the whole just like one strong human being can encourage it to strive for something higher. Products are nothing more than the material they are composed of and the value we place on them.
The most precious of all commodities, and most irreplaceable is time. We are all only allotted a certain amount of time to exist. We try and buy more with modern scientific and medical breakthroughs, but even than one is trading quality for quantity. It is extremely imperative to evaluate how one spends their time, and what we as a society value as proper and worthwhile. The production and acquisition of meaningless products, status items, and frivolous activities is not what we should be putting so much time and effort into; both in doing and promoting such. It is not rare to hear one say "appreciate the little things" or "money can't buy happiness" but it still remains true. I'm not saying find God, live a more spiritual live, drop out and tune in, or anything of the sort. I'm not trying to sell you anything. I am asking you as a human being to look around and look inside your mind as ask "is this it?" It is this how we are going to spend our lives? Are these the people we are going to look up to? For what? Why? and how did this all happen? There has to be a transition, which will no doubt be gradual, towards a more vital way of living. There is no need to make enemies of others based on what they have. There is no need for cut throat capitalism. This is not what Adam Smith had in mind.
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