No More Mirage of More
"We are flawed because we want so much more. We are ruined because we get these things and wish for what we had."
The frenzy of Black Friday, or, to go even more globally, the mania of Christmas shopping, are spectacles to behold in real-time. From endless lines outside stores to the relentless click of virtual carts filling up, all build up to the dark months of consumerism. They are the days when the collective hunger for “more” reaches a fever pitch. Discounts promise affordable happiness, possessions we are going to impose on others symbolise the communal joy of success in giving and receiving, and the rush of acquiring, with a pose for seasonal hot drinks, feels like a warm fulfilment.
Yet, when the frenzy subsides and the packages arrive, many are left with a hollow sense of “what’s next?” It’s a cycle of anticipation, gratification, and emptiness that repeats itself, much like the seasons.
Eric Fromm, the psychoanalyst and social philosopher, would likely see the Black Mania (perhaps society needed a replacement for the Black Death after the vaccines scientists developed to eliminate the physical isolation supposedly caused by the diseases of this season) as a poignant reflection of our modern discontent.
“Modern man lives under the illusion that he knows what he wants, while he actually wants what he is supposed to want,” Fromm wrote. Though penned decades ago, this feels eerily prescient in the era of consumer culture. Black Friday and Christmas Sales are not just the day of deals; they are simply a manifestation of a deeper existential crisis—a yearning to fill the void with things, even when we can’t quite define what’s missing.
Why do we seek, strive, and consume endlessly?
For many of us, the answer lies not in what we truly desire, but in what society has conditioned us to want. How much of your own life was built on this illusion? The clothes you wear, car you drive, the career you pursue, the experiences you document for others to see—how many of these are truly your own choices?
Fromm offers a profound warning: “If I am what I have, and if I lose what I have, who then am I?”
The discomfort of this introspection parallels the psychological concept of projection, as explored by Carl Jung. Fromm invites us to examine how our desires, shaped by external forces, often serve as projections of deeper insecurities.
For instance, the constant push for material success might stem not from genuine ambition but from a fear of inadequacy. Fromm’s wisdom, much like Jung’s, calls for an inward shift—a recognition that the things we chase often mirror the things we lack within ourselves.
Consider the relentless pursuit of material goods. Each new purchase brings a fleeting sense of joy, quickly replaced by the itch for the next acquisition.
Schopenhauer famously described life as an endless pursuit of desires, with satisfaction being fleeting and illusory. He argued that desire creates a cycle of striving, and even when fulfilled, it often leads to boredom rather than lasting happiness.
In Sartre’s existentialist philosophy, he warns against defining ourselves through external objects or roles. This "bad faith" occurs when we prioritise material possessions or societal status over authentic selfhood.
Marx critiques capitalism's ability to create value in objects beyond their practical use—turning them into symbols of status and identity. This fetishism is central to consumer culture, where products become imbued with a promise of personal fulfilment.
Philosophically resonant with Schopenhauer’s, Sartre’s and Marx’s traditions, the hedonic treadmill describes the human tendency to adapt to gains, leading to a constant need for "more" to feel the same level of happiness. The "mirage of more" is an apt metaphor for this cycle of endless chasing, where what seems like fulfilment vanishes upon closer reach.
Breaking free, according to Schopenhauer, requires us to transcend desires by embracing a contemplative life.
“Happiness is not the satisfaction of what we lack,
but the affirmation of what we are.”
— Eric Fromm
To embrace this philosophy is to find freedom in contentment—to realise that the wealthiest among us are not those with the most but those who need the least.
Fromm’s vision is not a rejection of material goods but a redefinition of their role in our lives. Possessions, status, and achievements can bring joy, but they are not the source of it.
“Being is infinitely more important than having.”
— Eric Fromm
True affluence comes from who we are. Thoreau’s transcendentalism celebrates simplicity as the antidote to the modern obsession with “more.” In Walden, he explores the joy and liberation of living with less, suggesting that the pursuit of "more" enslaves us to external expectations. Even Aristotle's idea of eudaimonia (flourishing) emphasises cultivating virtues, relationships, and intellectual growth over chasing endless possessions.
"No More Mirage of More" challenges us to question not just what we want, but why we want it. The philosophies above converge on the same truth: fulfilment is found not in the accumulation of things, but in the cultivation of virtues, connections, and self-understanding.
This really captures the emptiness that can come from consumerism. It's a cycle that many of us get caught in, especially during the holidays. The idea of chasing after more while feeling hollow is so relatable. Thanks so much for sharing this wisdom 🙏🏽