As The West awakens from this consumerist stupor we are starting to realize that the human has been replaced by the consumer. Cheap money has anaesthetised the electorate and allowed rapacious financial institutions to further shape economic policy with only one thing in mind – greater profit.

The outcome is that Western civilization has become accustomed to disrespect and neurosis whilst status competition, internet addiction, overeating, binge drinking and substance abuse have become commonplace. The irony: all of this has been promoted as the pursuit of happiness.

Ross Ashcroft (2013)

Wealth creation or rather Debt creation makes us slaves to the system and like all  systems of slavery it requires the slaves who are in the majority not to revolt.  The slave owners need to keep slaves in their place and maintain order and control.  The promise of freedom and happiness from consumption of over prices goods and the constant delivery of media that tells us that consumption is good keeps the slaves form revolting.