I made a point in another thread about having a certain quality of life…
nobody wants to live in poverty and everyone has what they feel is a certain standard… at what point does that standard go from being normal to over, bordering on materialistic?
**I don’t think that there’s a standard point..after which you are deemed “materialistic”…that point will vary from person to person. What is considered “excessive” to one person may be the “norm” for another. It’s like the point that Diamond made about one person’s basic need being another person’s luxury. **
At the same time, there are those who are content with less…should they be looked down upon if they are content with going to public schools and not private schools? if they prefer to rent their apartment or home, instead of taking out a mortgage, or drive a less expensive car?
**“Should” they be looked down upon? No. But can you prevent someone from looking down upon you? No. Private schools are not necessarily always better than public schools. Sometimes private schools lack educational resources because they don’t have the funds that public schools do. And I’ve attended both public and private schools…and I’ve taught at both. You could be rich enough to attend the most expensive schools in the world, and turn out to be a complete imbecile. And you can attend public schools and a not so renowned university and turn out to be the next Einstein or a very stable individual with a successful career. Those that choose to lead a simple life may have fewer problems. Sometimes the more you have, the more you’re accountable for, the more stressful it becomes to upkeep and maintain your high standard of living. The grass can appear greener on the other side but closer inspection can reveal otherwise. Everybody’s got their problems. Sometimes we don’t see the good that we have. **
I see many posts here all the time, with certain people looking their noses down on those who are not as educated or dont have the same quality of education they do…
^^^If it’s about “education” that you’re so worried about…then “educated is as educated does.” Stupidity in thought and action can transcend education and class. And keep in mind that a Bachelor’s Degree in one field can be earning a greater salary than a Master’s Degree in another field. If you’re comparing just the level of degree, the latter may be bigger…but comparing salary…it can be the other way around. And if you consider that…who is superior? The person with the lesser degree who makes more? Or the person with the higher degree who makes less?