How You Are Manipulated To Mindlessly Consume

[@moonpiemoonpie]

I’m 30 and I can successfully say that I’ve de influenced myself from meaningless buys. I have no credit card debt and no student loans. I’m girly so I am constantly bombarded with Sanrio items and pink glittering gadgets but I am content with what I have. I see it all as inevitably piling up- never to be used and ultimately turning into junk. When I go on trips- I’ve convinced myself that I’m traveling for the moment- pictures are free and are the best souvenirs.💕💕💕

[@hiss9989]

I made impulse purchases when I moved to western europe from eastern europe, and had more income to spare. It lasted a few months. I realized that I was spending my money on crap.

[@trublacking8572]

Hey they worked hard on that crap lol 😂

[@Kokopilau77]

When I downsized after filing for a divorce from my unfaithful STBX, I realized how much crap I had

[@lisaburke7506]

Disconnecting from social/news media and prioritizing living life offline and in nature as much as possible has been the best way for me to hop off the hamster wheel. I read books more than ever now, attend free public events that my local town sponsors, and have rediscovered the joy of day trips to other parts of the state over costly and lengthy vacations (which are also heavily marketed as though the ONLY way you can relax is if you spend thousands of dollars).

[@jerseyhead.u]

It never ceases to amaze me how centuries-old philosophical teachings can perfectly predict the downfall of modern society.

[@DamonCassidy]

Absolutely, so much wisdom throughout history

[@theoriginalDAL357]

Because human nature doesn’t change. Sure, we now have toilet paper, etc., but our basic nature is the same as it’s always been.

[@DamonCassidy]

I believe that is because throughout history leaders have always believed the common individual to be less than and unintelligent. I believe if you provide a landscape for desire to flourish this will be the outcome but if you provide a landscape for exploration in all fronts we would see a different version of society

[@theintrovertedaspie9095]

@@theoriginalDAL357 I'd argue that technology has enhanced our human nature. I watched a video about why technology may have been a mistake.

[@seidious]

@@theintrovertedaspie9095bruh you realize the wheel is technology

[@SetariM]

"Own nothing, and be happy about it." Literally the state of video games, lmao.

[@BillAnt]

It's pretty sad but that's the trend lately especially with phones and games.

[@dr3armer]

Can be applied to almost everything. Don't own our homes even if you've fully paid it off. Stop paying property taxes on it and it can be taken from you. Same with cars, you stop paying for insurance and it'll be taken from you too.

[@packrat-y7j]

My gen z nieces/nephews have figured out the joy of music without ads, and owning physical media. One of them even figured out burning. Their friends are figuring it out too. There may be a backlash in the market coming.

[@ggez5890]

That's phrase is a far-right talking point. Stop using it

[@chief14211]

@@dr3armerthats not true if you got property to park your car on you dont need insurance you do to drive it but they’re not gonna take your car away

[@blasphemertheseventh]

I’m 6 weeks away from being debt free. I can already feel the freedom and release of anxiety. I’m never going back.

[@fthagnryleh4951]

God I love my german mindset: Safety-account for emergencies(3-5 months of net income never touch it!), never purchase anything on credit except a house or maybe car, so not live above your "limits" save every month and invest. Never went into debt never had to borrow money.

[@callofdutyfreak10123]

You can’t survive in the U.S. with that mentality in 2024. Putting only your car and house on credit will be seen as you not being a reliable enough creditor, and you’ll get rejected from like every loan. It sucks ASS

[@mayrab6828]

​@@callofdutyfreak10123 i put my purchases on my credit card and pay it off every month, i build my credit and accrue rewards points

[@chiyerano]

​@@callofdutyfreak10123 Don't you mean reliable enough 'debtor'? At least OP doesn't have to borrow money or take out loans.

[@callofdutyfreak10123]

@@chiyerano yeah I’m a goober and that word just didn’t come to my brain when I was typing the comment

[@DamonCassidy]

I certainly wish that was our mindset. When I worked at the bank I was continuously disappointed but not surprised seeing how often people would struggle and complain about money and buy the most pointless things

[@dyonisis]

A great definition of marketing that was given to me by a teacher was "reveal the desire and create the need" (translated from french)

[@DamonCassidy]

Wow, that’s a heck of a great definition and something that’s incredible you were taught about

[@Sigil_Firebrand]

I was amazed how much money i saved by just cutting fast food and MOST impulse buys out of my life, then i realized id been just as much a victim of the system as the people i deride for their excesses...

[@lumeronswift]

Nice. Groceries cost almost as much as fast food in Australia at the moment...

[@CrashFrontier]

Watch out kids, you won't learn this is school. You're not meant to ;-). Brilliantly researched and well presented! This really hits home. Especially the part where you speak directly to us. Your passion for humanity shines through so clearly, and it’s so refreshing - almost unusually "human" - to see this. Like many, I’ve sensed that something is incredibly off with the system we live in, but I’ve never been able to put it into words as eloquently or find the researched proof of the system’s intended faults, like you did. The numbness has crept in over decades, making everything feel "normal" when, in fact, it's anything but. I'm beyond happy to know there are others out there feeling the same. I have a feeling this will resonate with a lot of people!

[@ziad_jkhan]

Adam Smith was a fraud though, just like Freud, and the fact that he portrayed him in a positive light spoiled everything for me

[@ggez5890]

Everything this dude said is literally lies

[@joeblack3878]

16:00 - Is really nailing it. Nice work. I say all the time that there are only two classes in America - which are the Capitalists and the Workers. There is no lower/lower, lower/middle, lower/upper, middle/lower, middle, etc, Those are all social constructs that have been put in place to keep us divided. You touched on a lot of great points.

[@DamonCassidy]

Absolutely! It also feels very good vs evil at the moment which I haven’t felt before in my life, but that could also be the massive Star Wars fan in me haha. So glad this video provided value! Thank you for reaching out

[@FascinatedBy]

What disgusts me in Consumerism particularly is that it tries to shame you for getting attached to things. Love this new shirt? Too bad, it's already outdated. Just got yourself new car? Ah,such a pity to see it as a new,better model is already out. We are losing our ties to things, the concept of value is diluted

[@DamonCassidy]

Absolutely!! It’s never enough! Really great comment, super important we realize this

[@rsh1-v9j]

This should be pinned on top, excellent insight

[@stevenc6705]

Stop connecting to things. Things are not people.

[@stevenc6705]

Never attach your self, happiness or peace of mind to things.

[@codinghusky5196]

​@@stevenc6705 I think you missed the point. It's not about philosophical bullshit like "things are not people"; and this philosophical bullshit might just be part of the issue. It's about the practical drive instilled in people to continuously proceed to needlessly buy the latest model of the thing they already have. For example, in the past, people and especially men used to treat their car as a pet. They'd own it, maintain it, repair it, and prolong it's life possibly even beyond reasonable level of investment into the same car because of the emotional attachment. Today, we have people who own 3 years old Teslas wanting a new Tesla and nobody wanting the old Tesla because it's an old Tesla. The point was, if you have no emotional attachment to things, you are more likely to just replace them instead of maintaining, fixing and prolonging their duration. Even when it comes to things that are still perfectly usable and adequate, like clothes, footwear etc, they will be replaced for "being out of fashion" or some other ridiculous reason. This results not only in more overall spending, but also in more waste and environmental issues.

[@JBLegal09]

I normally don't watch American economic creators due to insularity and arrogance. You do your research, realise that there's a world outside your borders but apply it to the US. I'm a harsh critic, but with you, I have nothing but admiration - you've made me sit down and listen as a Philosophy/Commerce major from Australia.

[@simplifiedpinoy1474]

Migrated here in the US. 20 years ago, got suckered into consumer mentality, but the best thing about this country is that you have a choice, I woke up from the matrix 10 yrs.ago,best decision I ever made, societal rhymes with suicidal.

[@vegetashairline3060]

My mother taught me and my siblings to ALWAYS be thrifty. Ngl it was always annoying growing up knowing that we had money, but my parents wouldnt buy us the nicest things, or the newest things. But it instilled into a mindset that has kept me debt free, and free of the consumer driven lifestyle my peers live, where their happiness is somehow dictated by the next THING they can purchase, even if it means putting it on yet another credit card they will never pay off. It has made dating hard however, because many women dont understand why i am the way i am, why as a successful accountant i would drive an old car, or not spend hundreds of dollars at restaurants, choosing instead to eat out of my freezer or cook. Why i would use 10 dollar ear buds instead of almost 200 dollar air pods. So many are drowning in debt, and while it isnt ALWAYS their fault because our country really is in the gutter, most people do themselves no favors.

[@DamonCassidy]

Relate to a lot of your comment! It really is hard and something I’ve struggled with is simply just being understood why I prefer to not spend my money in that manner. It’s almost as if I said something deeply offending haha. Really enjoyed reading your comment, made me reflect a lot on my life. I hope you’re doing well!

[@vahangood5999]

You are better off avoiding these types of women anyway. Like an expensive purchase, they are not worth it. Choosing the right partner can multiply or break your wealth. I will most likely keep on rolling solo but if I were to be with somebody, I would make sure to choose very, very, very carefully.

[@lisaburke7506]

You will find your person one day. My husband is exactly like you, and that was a big part of what made him so attractive. I wasn't the kind of woman who spent money on makeup (I did the "clean girl" look before it was a thing) or trendy clothes or flashy things. Financial and emotional stability (plus a nice physique) was all that I wanted and all what I found. So, you'll find her. She is out there somewhere (probably also tired by the men who prefer buying tech gadgets over building emergency savings, lol).

[@Youmeandyume]

Commenting because I want more videos like this on my algorithm

[@UnluckyFatGuy]

Hope isn't in a political party, person, or good. Hope is within each one of us. Together we are capable and strong. We need to remember this.

[@leee3880]

No, you don’t understand…. We need to vote for whoever promises to give up the most “free” stuff. Sarcasm by the way.

[@jaydub308]

Another powerful video. This is how they want us. Consumers who can't get along. We are much easier to fleece this way. Red vs blue boomer vs gen well every gen.

[@AssassinsFear]

This is part of the reason i avoid ads and dont pay for any media anymore. Since i own nothing the companies are losing nothing when i pirate their content. Avoiding ads also helps reduce impulse buying, even some of my family members comment how i think too much when making a purchase which i dont find a bad thing since i normally talk myself out of frivolous spendings.

[@wuzyer101]

Loved the monologue at the end! I’m so sick of this current duality of the us economy, where we are being fed the rhetorics of a great economy while the average Americans are suffering… The government needs start acting with the interest of the people instead of corporate profiteering!

[@sammyjones8279]

10:28 I think there's a second half to this coin, and you've done a fantastic job of illuminating the first side. It's true we are seen as not people first, but also not solely as consumers either - we are *producer-consumers*. We are supposed to consume, yes, but only after feeding into the machine less than we get back. Notice how none of the philosophers took interest in women who *could not* work or even just did not *want to* and their loans, but those who were working for *less than they wanted to be.* Our health, happiness, and humanity in this current ecosystem is entirely tied to this entropy-intensive produce-consume cycle, where the longer we sew, the less we reap.

[@teachertracee]

Then why is the education system being destroyed by government policy? I’m a high school teacher. Kids are lazy and unmotivated. In Kansas, there’s social promotion K-8. The emphasis on high schools is graduation rate, not employability, so kids are passed along there as well. I have a triple major in finance, economics, and accounting. My professors in the late 80s taught me how things really work in our world behind that curtain. I am very grateful for that. I’m simply baffled though why we have this movement towards lowering the bar for students. They can’t consume if they won’t work, and so many simply won’t get a job. They don’t possess the skills to get a good job even if they wanted one. It really makes no sense to destroy the spending capability of your consumers. The one thing I have considered is that the current goal is to create workers who can’t possibly finance a home so that corporations can continue to buy them up. But what next?

[@melokc7257]

I worked my first job i didn't like, and took home my 1st paycheck. When i saw the amount i took home i learned a lesson that served me well for decades. To get anywhere i needed to save. And to learn a craft that was needed,b that i could fall back on or use throughout. No matter if i made 10 dollars an hour or 150 an hour, i saved 50 percent and lived whatever lifestyle the other 50 percent would allow. It worked. And i felt empowered by saving, knowing i was going forward not burning my feet trying to get anywhere only to be stuck in the same place.

[@north_star_yt]

When I witnessed the Stanley cup craze shopping-spree clip I saw that… “ppl ARE connecting”. But, they’re just doing it over *things*. Ppl nowadays are communing over cheap replacesments for genuine emotional and mental exchange. It shouldn’t be like this. How do we remove the obstacles( aka the products) between us and genuine communion? Ya know… I mean, without the man-made junk getting all the attention? When I really look deeply into it, it’s not consumerism that is the actual issue, it’s the incessant avoidance of truth and connection that humans continuously dodge. 😢 It’s just an observation. *we are absolutely on the hunt for the next distraction* What are we avoiding?

[@FullyFunky]

Loved the thought process, will have this conversation with my people!

[@DamonCassidy]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for reaching out

[@MrBoxofplastic]

This video is all gold! I wish I could give it 100 thumbs up. I'm simplifying my life and getting out of debt. Tired of being a wage slave to corporate greed.

[@DamonCassidy]

I am so glad this video provided value! You’re doing exactly what you need to do and I can’t wait to hear when you’re debt free!

[@jenniferduenes24]

Excellent video. I appreciate the time you took to make this. In terms of fighting consumerism, I like to keep a list of all of the things I could do that don't require money or that much of it. I also keep an inventory of the things I already own and am not using very often (cooking appliances, art supplies, gardening supplies, etc.) and list activities I could do with those items. I think a lot of people get caught in a consumer cycle because they are either bored or overwhelmed by the stresses in their daily lives. It's a form of escapism, and we think that we can spend out way out of our problems.

[@gibster9003]

“All mankind in our age have split up into units, they all keep apart, each in his own groove; each one holds aloof, hides himself and hides what he has, from the rest, and he ends by being repelled by others and repelling them. He heaps up riches by himself and thinks, 'How strong I am now and how secure,' and in his madness he does not understand that the more he heaps up, the more he sinks into self-destructive impotence. For he is accustomed to rely upon himself alone and to cut himself off from the whole; he has trained himself not to believe in the help of others, in men and in humanity, and only trembles for fear he should lose his money and the privileges that he has won for himself. Everywhere in these days men have, in their mockery, ceased to understand that the true security is to be found in social solidarity rather than in isolated individual effort. But this terrible individualism must inevitably have an end, and all will suddenly understand how unnaturally they are separated from one another.” -From The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Book Six Chapter Two. Really interesting to see similar observations from over a hundred years ago in a country on the other side of the globe.

[@Marshell]

Ich fand den geschichtlichen Umriss wirklich sehr spannend. Insbesondere die preußische Sichtweise auf das Konstrukt Bildung wird (witzigerweise) in Deutschland so gut wie nie behandelt haha. Gutes Video!

[@DamonCassidy]

So glad that it provided value! So interesting to hear your thoughts on the Prussia discussion! Thank you for reaching out, I hope you’re doing well

[@alexn5426]

Great video. Lots of important topics highlighted that are not discussed in mass media these days. I clearly remember back in my home country we have been discussing ultra consumerism in school and the toll that it takes on our society and environment. When I moved to the UK I almost nowhere heard this topic rise again. A society in oblivion.

[@etienne2315]

The owners of capital are doing well, squeezing us without fail.

[@douloureux.]

and having lots of people with stockholm syndrome defend them

[@theintrovertedaspie9095]

@@douloureux. Thats because their used to it.

[@CosmicAggressor]

I have been keeping much better track of money since I saved up to buy a steam deck. Now I don't actually spend more than about 20-50 bucks a month on entertainment.

[@BillAnt]

Yep, gotta learn how to live frugally. One can live just fine without all the crap ads are bombarding us with. Just sticking to the bare essentials, reusing and extending everything. May be as simple as buying a store brand item, or sewing a button back instead of buying new clothing.

[@paulc6766]

@@BillAnt Advertisers should be thought of as thieves.

[@BillAnt]

​@@paulc6766 - Well the blame goes for both advertisers and consumers. As they say, it takes two to tango. heh

[@vegetashairline3060]

​@@BillAnt A man who is in control of his spending is a free man. My mother was dang near obsessive about penny pinching when I was growing up, so when I moved out at 18 I took on those traits. now I'm 27, no debt, and live comfortably well within my means.

[@BillAnt]

​@@vegetashairline3060 - Nothing wrong with living frugally. Money and material things are the roots of all evil. heh

[@soulzero22]

I’m the guy who made his coworkers feel like idiots when they bragged about their 400$ a month car. Then proceeded to slap my fully owned car that had 180k miles on it and call it an entrepreneur’s kind of vehicle. Now I have a CLD class A and I live within walking distance of my work. Yup my bank account gets closer and closer to building a life where my kids are not going to be poor like I was growing up. 😊

[@mikejarrells431]

Thanks & good job. Don't settle. Break the cycle. Rebel. We got this. Let's go!

[@Jennifer-do8cm]

This is the second video you made which I have watched. Thank you for taking the time to educate us. I, for one, appreciate it. We need more of you!

[@hastingsgames]

Thank you! Blessed to have family who could break the spell together. This world needs healing, beginning with ourselves and then spreading to others. We didn't ask for a world with instant shipping and 24/7 surveillance "for our convenience." No, we didn't ask, we were told. They told us in the 80s that one day people only satisfied with instant gratification could exist. They fell short of telling us that they would work incessantly for decades to ensure people were manipulated to become that way, because it was always the wet dream of big business. There are now tropes about some of the younger generations being [actually the way that multinational corporations behaviorally engineered them to be]. And as it's been on our watch, those tropes are disgusting to see. Every one of us needs to realize that "we are being manipulated" is not hyperbole. The fact that we see its impact on our young should be red flags and alarm bells all at once. Business interests controlling our government, not benign at all! Yes, we can heal from this, but only starting with us.

[@KevinSheppard]

This video was sold gold. I have so many notes to take! Thank you for throwing that rope back in to help folks out.

[@hwygal04]

Excellent video! To me, the money-hoarders rule this world. They've bought and paid for our institutions - gov't, justice, public health, etc. - and the results are obvious: nothing good for the everyday people. The irony is that the money-hoarders have probably heard that old cliche about 'you can't take it with you', but they live like they can. An acquaintance was keen on wealth and I told them that the next time they were at a funeral burial, wander the yard to the biggest crypt and see if you can figure out anything about the occupants in it, other than a name and a date. I think they thought I was kidding. ;)

[@YUKi-zo7zc]

This video offers a clear explanation of how consumerism influences modern life, thanks to strategies from figures like Edward Bernays ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ The discussion on how marketing, social media, and planned obsolescence encourage excessive buying is really enlightening. I also value the tips on practicing mindful spending and supporting sustainable brands. Thanks for the insightful content Damon! Really proud of you 👏 Have a great weekend ahead 🌷

[@wiandryadiwasistio2062]

no matter what we do, preach, or fight, we’re here to stay within the ever-lasting tomfoolery that is the modern economy. it’s spreading fast, and now it’s global. it’s everywhere. and we’re here just paying ‘that money’ to ‘those people’ who are nothing but the play things of those companies, and that’s it. there’s nothing we can do _but_ resist and, hopefully, fight

[@carolinejohnston9865]

We should be teaching these messages in our schools. Thank you

[@hampuswallin5942]

So how do we break the spell? Is there any books to read that illustrates how we have been brainwashed to identify it within ourselves? Either way, this video was very well made!

[@DamonCassidy]

So glad you enjoyed it! I would recommend starting with propaganda by Edward Bernays. That is the best way in my opinion to begin to realize how much of our society is fabricated

[@hampuswallin5942]

@@DamonCassidy Thank you!

[@stevenc6705]

Abandon thinking and feeling that happiness and success are owning material wealth and things and toys.

[@CapeSIX]

Yes spending is an issue… but I can also say my paycheck last week was $5,400 for 2 weeks and I took home $3,200. So I don’t even seen $2200 of my income or 40%. Yes part of this is benefits and 401(k) but it is the majority taxes.

[@HumphreyBurns]

Your ability to learn faster than your competition is your only sustainable competitive advantage.

[@stevenc6705]

Maybe think of others as people not competition.

[@danielalvarez0]

Wow very eye opening. Thank you!

[@troxistmajin8740]

Well spoken points

[@ancientflames]

If you wanna be debt free say goodbye to owning a house or going to school until the next economic crash.

[@ferretsp3052]

The book "The End of the Megamachine" was the only thing I could think about while watching this. (Great book, highly recommended) Very well researched and presented, as always. I consume non-essentials, of course. But I try to do so thoughtfully. I buy blu-rays, for example. Watch them. Enjoy them. Then give them away for someone else to enjoy. Topic suggestion: After the Recession. Not the usual KZbin fear type videos. Or trying to time the markets or anything like that. But rather, what positive things happen after the crisis. Forests need fires, and rivers need floods to grow and thrive. Economies do too. Again, thanks and well done.

[@DamonCassidy]

Thank you so much for this! Can’t wait to read that! I am starting to get back into blue ray as well and I have to say it has such a more genuine feeling to it. No need to have all these other platforms for things I will never watch. I also wanted to thank you for the topic idea! That is incredibly interesting and would love to discuss that. Thank you for this and I really appreciate you reaching out!

[@ferretsp3052]

@@DamonCassidy You're Welcome!

[@emilyau8023]

I'm not materialistic at all, and it has caused me to feel excluded from many people I meet cause I can't relate. It's a weird experience.

[@ostapei89]

Excellent points, very well presented 👏👏👏

[@amywiddowson3098]

Great video! Very insightful and thought provoking! I agree with all your points!

[@moriahmelitta1611]

I’ve been watching you for a little while now- best video yet. Thank you.

[@DamonCassidy]

@@moriahmelitta1611 so glad to hear that you enjoyed it! Thank you for reaching out🤍

[@PleasantRevolt]

THANK YOU for saying citizens and not consumers. This is the hill that I have died on and my ghost applauds you in knowing the difference. 10:46

[@DamonCassidy]

It’s so important to say it. Gross the history behind how we turned into “consumers” and the fact we are no longer treated as humans is something that needs to be addressed

[@jessrosejim5440]

Thank you for your videos and for your amazing and motivating monologues at the end of each one of them.

[@leinster22]

Because slick and complex marketing techniques are now driven by sophisticated technology the consumer is finding it more difficult to resist impulse buying. A person’s brain is simply not up to shutting out advertisements and messages everywhere

[@RudolfEdith]

People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.

[@Ramie0Cat]

As a 30 something from the NL i never had any debt (not even school as my education got waved off as soon as i got my degree) i have the mindset of: save for big things i need. Spend on small things that make me happy. No need to get the latest stuff either. This way i kept debt free and i'm planning a vacation to japan next year that i've been saving for for years.

[@stevenc6705]

Stop buying cheap crap from wal mart. In fact stop shopping period. Only ever buy what you need to live.

[@camadams9149]

Idk is excess consumption actually a problem? I ask because I don't engage in it and I dont come from a family who engages in it. Additionally, we don't resist engaging in it, we just have no desire to. 10% of people will represent the vast majority of any activity/action/behavior. The average American drinks 9.8 drinks.. Me (and 38% of Americans) don't ever drink. The top 10% of drinkers? They drink 73.85 drinks per week.Washington Post "Think you drink a lot? This chart will tell you.' September 25, 2014 at 1:17 p.m. EDT. Where am I going with this: I would say it would be a stretch to say Americans have a drinking problem despite the numbers initially suggesting it. In reality only 20% of americans are overdoing it & only 10% of Americans are overdoing it in a way that is very harmful My main problems are: Rent $1200 a month, Food $500 a month, Health insurance $650 a month, and transportation $200 a month. Add in my roth IRA contribution ($680) and you have $3,230. Those are all mandatory expenses. US median pay: 3107.50 a month (median household is 78k. So divide by 2. Then divide by 12). Now if I cut back on food and got some roommates I could make it all work on 3100 a month.... but there we are, I would have to CUT BACK to swing it & none of my mandatory items are particularly lavish. So that makes me question if excessive consumption is even a thing. Sure, it might be. My best guess though: Deeply sick individuals that make up 10% of the population are regularly doing things like buying a stanly cup in every color

[@KM-nq7hz]

Thank you for bringing this to the attention of the masses!

[@le2382]

Thank you for this video, I really appreciate the thought and research you put into this. I think this is an important message we all need to hear.

[@cogyoutube]

This is so important. Thank you. Love from 🇫🇷 ❤

[@DamonCassidy]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for reaching out🤍

[@XBluDiamondX]

The average article of clothing worn only 7 times before getting discarded? That is wild to me. While I buy socks and underwear more regularly, I hardly buy anything else. Being 40, I still have clothes from when I was a teenager.

[@ItsAllAboutGuitar]

Me too and I don't even want the new stuff because it's not comfortable!

[@jorlowsky469]

A very well put together and informative video. Cheers 🥂

[@DamonCassidy]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for reaching out🤍

[@taylors4243]

if people would stop buying things in such excess they would save enough money from fees/interest to buy the damn thing later.

[@theintrovertedaspie9095]

Maybe, but during the time they invest, the prices will go up.

[@charlieth3kid]

you've gain my like and subscription. thank you for talking about these things

[@DamonCassidy]

So glad that this provided value! Thank you so much for the support! I hope you’re doing well

[@rapiddave9313]

Yet another great video!

[@DamonCassidy]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for reaching out!

[@Jahremy]

I really enjoy your videos. Great information. Thank you for doing these!

[@DamonCassidy]

So glad that you enjoy them! Really enjoy being able to share these and provide the best value I can

[@lizi.2503]

I’m confused about the taxation of social security because it says it’s tax free but I’m paying on it so what the fizzly fahk!

[@juliantheapostate8295]

If it's like the UK it is paid without being taxed but counts as taxable income

[@MartaAugust]

Thank Reagan, he signed the 1983 Social Security Amendments into law.

[@pisceanbeauty2503]

I believe you pay on a certain percentage of your SS benefit if your overall income in retirement is above a certain amount.

[@victorsencion3621]

This channel is great, thank you sir.

[@stevenc6705]

Peace of mind = happiness = spirituality. All the best stuff in life is totally free

[@jamalamitchell]

Thanks for this concise information!

[@DamonCassidy]

Absolutely! So glad it provided value!

[@correyretzloff6421]

Excellent video. Thank you, sir.

[@DamonCassidy]

So glad you enjoyed it! I hope you’re doing well!

[@anamantics]

Luckily, I don't spend on impulse, but I am still in debt, just not as much as most people. I'm just not interested in the crap they try to push us to buy.

[@driller_505]

Such a great video! I’m learning lots from you!

[@genxlife]

I don't seem to be as consumer-obsessed as most people. I'm still using the same smartphone I got four years ago. And I have no intention of replacing it until it can't work anymore.

[@genxlife]

On the other hand, Apple might send an update that might stop my phone from working sooner than I'd like.

[@nata6025]

I wish I could go back to my 20s and save and invest all my earnings instead of frittering it all away on "fun" and material things. Then I can afford to take a 1 year or multi-year sabbatical about now

[@ancientflames]

So you want to go back and not enjoy your youth for a few years so you can enjoy now for a few years? What’s the difference. If anything it was good to do it then when your potential income wasn’t as high as it is now.

[@wymanair]

What is it about these types of videos where I find myself looking for things to buy on my phone while listening to this video in the tv?? 😂😂😂😂😂

[@inthevault9603]

The goal of education has been realized. 😢btw This is a great video. The part on the education system blew 😜 my mind 🤯.

[@mariaelenaquibir]

I’m Asian and I’ve always wondered why North Americans spend so much on unnecessary goods (I have cousins in the US) especially during Black Friday. People just go crazy for buying whatever and even though money is easy to earn there it’s also easiest to spend. As the most powerful nation in the world you’re influencing a lot of countries to do the same and I fear it may become problematic someday.

[@petermangano6206]

Spot on, well done. Keep going

[@kkarlin2936]

Brilliant. Thank you!

[@DamonCassidy]

So glad this provided value to you! Thank you for reaching out!

[@stevenc6705]

Attach to God. Detach from possessions

[@northmanscall]

Oof. That Was deep. Could not remove 1 Word from your Video. Every Word was valuable. Thanks for the Video mate.

[@DamonCassidy]

What a great comment! So glad that you enjoyed it! I hope you’re doing well!

[@TheXeroLink]

Corpo speak here and he said the quiet part out loud 11:32 stumbles saying they’ve invested and innovated over the last 3 er uh few years….price jacking you mean.

[@DamonCassidy]

You nailed it! Noticed that as well

[@andrew5168]

Amazing video!

[@DamonCassidy]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@anthonyr.capellan3198]

Well said. You are on my list of one of the greatest humans to ever live.

[@truckyeah]

Great video brother👏

[@ziad_jkhan]

Adam Smith is part of the problem though. His claim that before more money there was barter is absolutely unfounded. Instead, we had a GIFT economy.

[@DamonCassidy]

Where did you see that we had a gift economy? Would like to read about that

[@ziad_jkhan]

@@DamonCassidy This extract from a document I'm currently working on provides some interesting cues: "Many well-known sociologists and anthropologists have highlighted the mythical nature of pre-monetary barter but their pleas went unheard. According to Cambridge anthropologist Caroline Humphrey, barter only flourished when existing currency was in low supply. Despite her claims being verifiable, modern economics simply prefers to ignore it. Its unscientific stance has led to opinionated schools of thought that conflict with each other, a schizophrenic relationship with reality. Disregarding an economy that sustained humanity for millennia, in favor of one that spanned just 1% of our existence, is institutional arrogance but most of us don’t know. He who controls the past controls the future. " Does that help? Else I can always share the entire document if you're curious. It's about solving our global problems using science and compassion.

[@ziad_jkhan]

@@DamonCassidy I'm realizing now that I did not answer the question itself. The problem is that I can't share any link without being ghosted so all I can do right now is recommend you to look it up. We have been hunter-gatherers for 300,000 years before agriculture and gifting is more like delayed barter based on trust, in the sense that whenever you give you trust it'll comes back later in one way or another. Barter never could flourish because of the inherent limitations that would've put the community at risk. May be look up the Kogi, Arhuaco and Semai people to get an idea. They have preserved this age-old culture somehow, despite modern pressures around them, and there's a lot we can learn from them.

[@devolution-wt9ou]

​@@ziad_jkhan hey, when your documentary is done, could you post it publicly so I can watch it?

[@ziad_jkhan]

@@devolution-wt9ou It's not meant to be a documentary though, at least not yet. It's more of a strategic plan to get us out of this mess progressively by leveraging the power of current technology. But, again, if you're curious and feel like you might contribute then feel free to let me know and I'll try to share some keywords as a substitute for a link.

[@ArenzanaBuhl]

14:19 I would love to be able to share this video along with sources please!!

[@joeker6220]

Individualism over community centric living is what they preach

[@youtuberdrew4268]

Love the video very informative

[@fideldisalvo]

It's crazy that this is the heart of our world, whilst all spiritual texts tell you that this is entirely contrary to the human condition.

[@armorbearer9702]

Basically, we need to reject what we were taught that greed and material wealth is everything. We need to find a new set of values to achieve financial well being and happiness. Additionally, the education system needs to be reformed so that future generations are taught to critically think not consume.

[@AnthonysEpicKick]

Beautiful video, thank you!

[@denisemarie485]

I'm sure glad you are real 😁 Hope you are doing well and thanks for another great video ❤

[@DamonCassidy]

So great to hear from you! I am so glad to hear this video provided value, it was a hefty one haha. I hope all is well with you and your loved ones🤍

[@Moont706]

I’m glad he clarified how he wanted to go back to the 50s and 60s lol… I was like hol up until he mentioned equality 😂

[@stevenc6705]

Tune out. Drop out from hyper consumerism and continual consumption.

[@marialeg2367]

How interesting. I'm curious to know if you learned about this at university. I also studied psychology, albeit not in the USA, and the closest I've ever gotten to this was reading authors like Bauman.

[@DamonCassidy]

I didn’t learn much from school if I’m being honest. The most impact school had on this was my community college English teacher that believed in my writing abilities and continually pushed me to do better. The majority of this is just from books and research. Really glad you asked this, thank you for reaching out

[@SarahJones-u5q]

Society's Grip On Defined Minds One wonders as one looks upon life, what do these minds in society write? What becomes of the sound they emit? The times in which they claim to be a entity that truly exist. What can be found within these beings as they present themselves as, present? I find the cultivation of one's mind, escapes those who deem themselves a societal kind. Speaking as if the reason for their existence is outlined, within what society defines. To exist as such a kind, is to be absent the rationality of a critically thinking mind, a mind absent narrow capacity. For, said mind shall never tether oneself to a thought or idea society describes. Never be pushed to believe or behave in certain ways, as such an existence would make said mind a slave. A slave to their emotions, easily controlled at any moment. A slave to wanting, for, said mind can be presented with anything and, convert wants into needs, tethering themselves to said want unknowingly. The want of an idea, a material, a need to feel, as dopamine spikes satisfaction becomes unable to exist as real. Continously these societal minds seek this thrill. To be, absent the who in which one believes is real. The actual. In actuality actual is never present, forced inception, one starts a new every second. Presented with new wants to gravitate towards, new goals as one sees time as simply a thing to endure. All for society. But, in mind, for more. What exist as more if not you? If not the body the mind? If not these incremental stages we've collectively altered to exist as time? These seconds, minutes, hours. One is mortal, mere seconds even at micro stages changes what we as human define as, life. We expire leaving this society behind, leaving the material, the status, the need for utterly useless satisfaction, the want. All left behind, so one might ask, why are these the ways in which one describes one's life? Why within the simplicity of existence is truth, so hard to find. Why?

[@DamonCassidy]

Wow, incredible! Really appreciate you sharing that with me.

[@SarahJones-u5q]

@@DamonCassidy Thank you deeply