If you are what you eat, then Americans are absolute pigs. A recent study by National Geographic estimates that Americans consume a total of 1.7 tons of pork in a lifetime. That’s 3,400 lbs. of pig, per person. My vegetarian face looks a little horrified right now. That’s not all: the average American uses about 700,000 gallons of water to shower over his lifetime, and consumes over 13,000 beers. Welcome to our newest social disorder: consumerism.

Many of you may have just scoffed, wondering, “How can consumerism be a problem? Isn’t it good for the economy?” While a healthy amount of spending certainly helps an economy, higher amounts of consumerism can have horrific effects. Most experts agree it was a cause of the recent economic recession. Looking back on it, many Americans spent frivolously leading up to the recession, getting loans to buy houses they could never afford, and taking vacations they never had the money to pay for. Their “American Dream” lifestyles ended quickly; as demonstrated in 2008, stocks fell, major banks went under, the U.S. labor market lost 8.4 million jobs, and many Americans were up to their necks in debt.

Consumerism truly is a social disease, and it’s been spreading. Nowadays, even lower-earning Americans find the need to spend on unnecessary, lavish items. Our culture feels brand name clothing, lavish vacations, and even televisions are fundamental to our households. This mentality hasn’t been deterred by our economic recession, as most of these luxury items have increased in prevalence. In 2009 the average American household had more televisions than people in it!

Don’t get me wrong, I do love spending. I would love to lower taxes and let the economy right itself. But honestly, our culture is one of frivolous spending, and that needs to change. Priorities have to re-evaluate, and smart spending has to be the only kind of spending. That doesn’t mean the government ought to regulate commerce more and make us spend smart. We have to change our culture as a country. So next time you’re about to pick up that new phone that, “OMG you just have to have,” remember: spend smart. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some stuff to return.