A Generation of Second-handers
A recent survey found that 44 percent of Generation Z and 46 percent of Millennials are “obsessed with the idea of being rich.” While there is nothing wrong with the desire to be wealthy, obsessing over it can lead to some bad choices. That appears to be happening with younger adults, and not surprisingly, some are saying that social media is to blame. Fundamentally, social media is not the culprit. Philosophy is. Philosophy is creating a generation of second-handers.
As one financial expert put it,
Social media has convinced 22-year-old kids that they should have vacations on the Amalfi Coast, Luis Vuitton Bags, and an HGTV kitchen before they’ve earned it.
The result is young adults who are living far beyond their means. They are using credit cards to finance a luxury lifestyle. It’s a case of champagne tastes and a beer budget, except credit cards can temporarily expand one’s budget.
Because of social media, many young adults see their contemporaries living luxurious lifestyles and feel like they aren’t keeping up with the Joneses. This is simply second handedness; they are seeking self-esteem by emulating others. As Ayn Rand noted,
After centuries of being pounded with the doctrine that altruism is the ultimate ideal, men have accepted it in the only way it could be accepted. By seeking self-esteem through others. By living second-hand.
Self-esteem, like wealth, must be earned. Wealth is earned by creating values. Self-esteem is earned by creating a virtuous character. There is no shortcut to either. But philosophy, and particularly Pragmatism, has taught young adults that predicting the consequences of one’s actions is impossible. One must experiment to find what works. And, if the first attempt, or the tenth, doesn’t achieve the desired results, try again.
Philosophical ideas have real life consequences. The ideas, values, and virtues that we embrace will determine the course of our life, for better or worse. We can choose the ideas, values, and virtues that will empower to live fulfilling, flourishing lives on our own terms, or we can choose ideas, values, and virtues that put our life in the hands of others.