Dematerializing: Taming The Power Of Possessions - Hardcover

Hammerslough, Jane

3.15

80 ratings by Goodreads

9780738203867: Dematerializing: Taming The Power Of Possessions

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0738203866 ISBN 13: 9780738203867

Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books, 2001

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Can the perfect new couch in your family room make for great times with your family? Does a diamond that costs two months' salary mean that love will last forever? In this era of high expectations and "low monthly payments," getting what you want has never seemed easier. And "getting what you want," in this environment, is increasingly linked to buying something. But is it always enough?Picking up where "simplifying" may not satisfy, Dematerializing acknowledges the pleasures, along with the pitfalls, of living in a material world. With a sharp eye and an attitude that's anything but holier-than-thou, Jane Hammerslough encourages readers to explore how a consumption-crazed culture affects their own relationships with objects. By considering what possessions can and can't do, and by exploring where belief in the magic of the material encroaches on belief in ourselves and other people, Dematerializing offers insight into the pressures of living in a possession-obsessed environment-and ways to tame materialism in our own lives. Grounded by real-world examples, research, and the author's own experience, this inspiring book is for those who appreciate having "nice things" but are also disturbed by the control "nice things" sometimes have on their lives.

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About the Author:

A former New York Post columnist, Jane Hammerslough contributes to Parenting, Child, Garden Design, Saveur, Travel & Leisure, Country Living, and other national magazines. She lives in Westport, Connecticut.

From Publishers Weekly:

For decades critics have lamented the increasing materialism of American culture. Here, though, Hammerslough takes a fresh, current look at the role objects play in our daily lives. Beginning with a reminder of the most basic definition of "materializing" from myths and fairy tales ("the spirit of something becomes tangible"), she explores the ubiquitous effort to make intangibles like love, self-esteem, success, health, happiness, control, superiority, perfection, morality and safety manifest through ownership of things. Refreshingly, Hammerslough probes deeper than trite complaints about spoiled children and adults with misguided values. She acknowledges that the joy of a new car may be perfectly reasonable and harmless, while pointing out that our "faith" in and "expectations" of objects can be destructive in many ways, for both individuals and communities. Objects, Hammerslough contends, are expected to relieve stress, alleviate fears, provide escape, express identity (or a desired identity), procure acceptance and deliver people from pain and disappointment. Yet she describes how "possession-obsession" blocks creativity, stunts growth, hinders relationships, garbles communication and redirects energy and attention away from achievement and toward the illusions and accoutrements of achievement. A contributor to Parenting, Child, Travel & Leisure and Country Living, Hammerslough presents thorough, detailed information in an easy, conversational style. While occasionally underestimating the difficulty of transforming deeply held beliefs and ingrained (culturally supported) habits, she offers many practical suggestions for positive change and an inspirational view of a timely topic. (Oct.)Forecast: Offering much discussion fodder, a sensible approach to prosperity and a compassionate authorial voice, this addition to the simpler-living genre should be a shoe-in for interviews and talk shows.

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