How much is enough?

Having been born in the new era of technology, the people of our times would be very happy if they could use most, if not all, of the available technologies that aim at facilitating human lives. The discovery and inventions of humans started with the discovery of fire and has come a long way with now having gone as far as to invent a human-like tool that can run errands for humans.

As goes a popular saying, “Human needs are unlimited”, humans always thrive for more and the irony is that they have been getting what they have desired for, be it a simple tool to cut down trees or a more sophisticated machine to take them to moon. This success of humans may be the reason why we yearn for more without setting a limit at any point whatsoever.

Today’s western world seems to have been more dipped into materialism. Computer, once an accessory, has now become an absolute necessity, perhaps, as much as food or clothing. An American home without a car is not imaginable. Other material stuff like room heaters, CD players etc have become a part of their everyday lives. It is however not the same in the poor and more conventional eastern society. Their basic necessities are still limited within availability of food, shelter and clothing. This is true for developing nations in South Asia and Africa where people have to shed sweat from dusk till dawn to earn a slice of bread for the day.

The western world along with benefiting from modern inventions has also started consuming a significant amount of the world’s resources. It has been known that the US with less than 5 percent of the world’s population uses more than 40 percent of the world’s resources. On the other hand, overwhelming majority in the third world have not had the opportunity to enjoy the “benefits” of development of science and technology nor can they enjoy the luxury of driving a car or living in a house cooled by air conditioner. A middle class family in a third world nation like mine can, at the most, possess a motorbike and a few household items like TV and refrigerator.

If I were to determine what I would need for a meaningful life I would opt for few of the basic necessities in today’s world including a computer and a pollution free vehicle. I would love to have a small house with four rooms and enough space for a half-size basketball court. Besides these I need a TV and a refrigerator. If books can be considered material, then I want these materials too.

Am I asking for too much?