[vageli]

This is exactly it. The thirst for the dollar makes us more willing to swallow bullshit with a (feigned) smile. But what can we do about it? That's the worst part. To dismantle the machine requires the coordination of a significant number of cogs.

[AFNobody]

Or you simply avoid consumerism, do your best to improve your situation, and try to hit the $50k/year point where its practical (in much of the US) to retire early if you are willing to live on a living wage rather than an inflated middle class lifestyle.

Something like 27% of the country could retire by 45 if they were willing to make the sacrifices necessary.

[mathgladiator]

First, stop the thirst within. I am going to try an experiment and live in nature on land that I buy. Why do we need so much junk?

[jjeaff]

You don't have to be so extreme as to live off the land. If people would just love below their means and save, they wouldn't be in an absolute crisis the moment they lose their job.

[SolaceQuantum]

How many of us are really in a position we can do that?

[Noumenon72]

Given that we have material wealth 5-50 times higher than most people who have ever lived, virtually all of us.

Given that we are on a status treadmill with legally created artificial scarcity -- well, I still don't think it should be that hard, but apparently it is.

[badpun]

Look up Jason Rohrer. He sustains a family of five on $15k a year. It can be done.