Luxury - The New Driver of public and Environmental Conscience?

Two thousand years, ago, a mysterious man named Jesus declared that the poor will all the time be among us. That was an definite observation. However, he should have done the conception by declaring that the wealthy, likewise, will also all the time be among us. And that's not necessarily an evil thing.

As the wealthy become wealthier, to a point, so do the rest of us. That's the effect of a material "arms race" that we all partake in. It begins when the wealthy, in the exertion to distinguish themselves from the plebes, derive or generate goods that only they can have- "luxury" goods. Proprietary ignites desire among others, and inquire for those goods spreads beyond the wealthy. And where there is demand, there will be suppliers. Either the traditional purveyors will enlarge their company by increasing the traditional supply or one-off's, or competitors will generate knockoffs. Either way, the supply expands, prices drop, and the once-rare items become lowly and affordable (or lost in a sea of imitators). The wealthy then hunt for new symbols of status. In the meantime, the common someone becomes accustomed to a slightly elevated lifestyle, and the cycle of acquisition begins anew.

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This excellent cycle of wealth acquisition has ordinarily been quite destructive to the ecosystem, to those on the bottom of the ladder, and to any exterior cultures that can be overpowered and exploited for their labor or natural resources. However, there are encouraging signs that "luxury" is now acquiring a distinctively distinct complexion. "Luxury" is taking its first steps towards mandating eco- and people-friendliness as an integral part of its appeal. And as luxury goes, the rest of society will follow.

As nature passes from becoming abundant to scarce; as we face unprecedented threats from atmosphere change; as the world's materially wealthy feel impoverished in their collective relationships, and as the bulk of the world's habitancy become acquainted with democracy and higher living standards, the exquisite storm for re-defining luxury is rapidly brewing. Accordingly, a look at the newest blogs and articles on luxury present a fresh and welcome trend: "luxury" is absorbing away from solely being about having. Consciousness about How goods are made and obtained, and what side effects they will have on others or the environment, is creeping in. That beautiful piece of jewelry, for example - is it made from recycled metal, or at least from a mine with allowable environmental and labor standards in place? Did that meat come from factory-farmed cattle, or from grass-fed animals raised on predator-friendly ranches? (Or best yet - is it admittedly veg meat from organic, family-farmed soy?) Is that beautiful plank floor made from old-growth wood, or from forest-certified or reclaimed timber?

The "new luxury" is about "being in the know" about fair trade, and environmental, animal welfare and labor standards. Though still in relative infancy, "the new luxury" is as much about creating a wealth of society and ethics, as it is about creating a wealth of material goods.

And that's good news for the rest of us, because as the inquire for functioning ecosystems and humane ethics grows among the wealthy, the inquire for eco-friendly, fair wage and humane products will grow among the masses, as well. And the supply will follow. It all the time does. After all, "we" all the time want what "they" have, don't we? And we'll pay to get it! This isn't to say that "we" aren't driving positive change, as well - we are - but the mass craving for eco-cleanliness, authenticity and community, and, most importantly, the willingness to give up the "luxury" of low prices and throwaway material plenty for the "luxury" of quality, connection and environmental stability, will be driven largely by the subconscious urge to "live like the happy green Jonses". You know the ones - the first snobs on the block with the cool ,000 hydrogen-powered car?

I wonder if Jesus would drive Prius or a Honda Civic Gx?

Luxury - The New Driver of public and Environmental Conscience?

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