Consumption...It's insane!!!

[jordanread]

So I just started reading the first bit of this article. I wasn't going to post this, but a specific line caught my attention.

For all of our activities, the average American requires the movement of 57 tons of cargo per year.

That is crazy!!! Below is the link to the article, and I was just curious what Mustachians thought. It's kind of cool really. The actual data always shows a fun story. We have managed to create some pretty impressive stuff in the name of consumption. I don't (necessarily ;-) ) want this to become one of those online war discussions, but I'll pose the question anyway (or feel free to comment on the article, if you so desire):

How much does our current ridiculously over-consuming society contribute to the advancement in technology? Can we keep this trend going if everyone went Mustachian?

http://www.citylab.com/work/2014/10/a-complete-guide-to-the-future-of-us-freight-movement/381012/

[GardenFun]

Growing up in the Detroit area, people would think you were crazy if you didn't want a vehicle.  It was ingrained as a rite of passage.  Yes, when Henry Ford wanted to create an affordable car, he was looking at making travel off the farm easier for people (more time for family to be together instead of taking care of the horses, repairing the wagon, etc).  But toward the end of his life, he realized that the vehicle was tearing families apart vs. bringing them together.  (I heard this information on some Henry Ford video, something similar to the American Experience series, which is why he created Greenfield Village).   

So for many families, accumulating items that make life easier is originally an innocent endeavor.  Rock leads to wash board, then wringer washer, then electric washer.  Now we can purchase washers that have 15 settings, are 5 feet tall, and require more space in our homes.  But at the end of the day, all they do is wash clothes.  I am for advancing technology, but as a need, not a status symbol. 

It is basic supply/demand.  While some of these demands can be categorized as needs (better farming techniques to increase food production for an increasing population), it is easy for needs to morph into wants cloaked as needs. 

[Thegoblinchief]

I would have loved to see a breakdown of that 57 ton figure. I'd guess the vast majority would be building materials for commercial and road projects.

Food should be less than a ton per person.

[Gone Fishing]

Food should be less than a ton per person.

Don't forget the water, fertilizer, chemicals, grain to feed animals, manure, packaging, etc.  Even running a small farm, the material handling is insane.  I hauled in 5 tons of hay in to feed my few head of stock through the winter. A few years back, I put 6 tons of lime on my pasture.       

[MandyM]

Greenfield Village   

Awww, fond childhood memories:) I grew up in SW Michigan.

So for many families, accumulating items that make life easier is originally an innocent endeavor.  Rock leads to wash board, then wringer washer, then electric washer.  Now we can purchase washers that have 15 settings, are 5 feet tall, and require more space in our homes.  But at the end of the day, all they do is wash clothes.   

Funny you should use the washing machine as an example. I watched an interesting Ted Talk where a man talked about why he believed the washing machine alone is the difference between those in extreme poverty and the rest of the world. He grew up in Europe (Sweden, I think) and remembers when his family got their very first washing machine and what an amazing time saver it was for his mother. After they got the washer, she actually had time to read to her young son instead of spending an entire day scrubbing the families clothes.

As to the OP's question - I still think Mustacianism would lead to technology advancements, maybe even better ones. I like things to be efficient and well built and multi purpose (when that makes sense).

[pom]

I am not saying that we don't overconsume but those stats seemed bogus to me.

So I did some digging and found the source for the number:

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/nat_freight_stats/docs/13factsfigures/table2_04.htm

They divided the total freight by the number of people as if to imply that it is all consumption. As GoblinChef rightly said, a large portion of that freight is for infrastructure.

[jordanread]

I am not saying that we don't overconsume but those stats seemed bogus to me.

So I did some digging and found the source for the number:

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/nat_freight_stats/docs/13factsfigures/table2_04.htm

They divided the total freight by the number of people as if to imply that it is all consumption. As GoblinChef rightly said, a large portion of that freight is for infrastructure.

Yeah, I still haven't finished the article, and I remember that there were some links. I figured as much, but I knew something like this would send me down a rabbit hole, so I'll post more thoughts as I go.

[GardenFun]

As to the OP's question - I still think Mustacianism would lead to technology advancements, maybe even better ones. I like things to be efficient and well built and multi purpose (when that makes sense).
[/quote]

That's a nice twist in thinking.  Getting away from so much specialization.  I like it.

[dragoncar]

57 tons is a nonsensical metric.  I need ton-miles.

[Beric01]

57 tons is a nonsensical metric.  I need ton-miles.

Original source has no data regarding distance. Agreed that it's a useless metric - is that 57 tons moved one centimeter?

[wtjbatman]

My goal every year is to consume at least 58 tons.

[2ndTimer]

This is really interesting article.  Thanks for posting.