Consumerism

Do you agree with the basic premise of these quotes? What would the devil's advocate say in response to these sentiments?
// "It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly.” // ** - Henry David Thoreau **

// “Much of our activity as consumers these days is nothing more than a cheap anesthetic to deaden the pain of an empty life.” //** - Unknown **

// “The things you own end up owning you.” // ** - Tyler Durden in **//** Fight Club

Watch this short "lecture" on how and why America became a consumerist culture.

media type="youtube" key="EUeMVt3stAo" height="344" width="425" **//