> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.opendemocracy.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# The high price of materialism
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/high-price-of-materialism/
- Published: 2014-04-29T02:04:40.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-23T00:23:22.000Z
- Description: The good life is not the same as a life filled with goods. Wellbeing and materialism don’t fit together. (Animation, 5 minutes).
- Author: Michael Edwards
- Tags: ideas, #Migrated, Sustainable Living, Transforming Ourselves, Transforming Society, Science, #en, #Import 2026-04-09 16:53, #appended-excerpt

In this short animation produced by the [Center for a New American Dream](http://www.newdream.org/?ref=opendemocracy.net), psychologist [Tim Kasser](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim%5FKasser?ref=opendemocracy.net) discusses how a culture of consumerism undermines well-being. When people buy into the ever-present marketing messages that "the good life" is "the *goods* life," they not only use up the Earth's limited resources, but they're also less happy and less inclined toward helping others.

The animation lays out the problems of excess materialism and points toward solutions that promise a healthier, more just, and more sustainable life.

 To learn more about the relationship between materialism and well-being, read this interview with Tim Kasser: "[Consumerism, Values, and What Really Matters](http://www.newdream.org/resources/2011-07-kasser-consumerism-values-and-what-really-matters?ref=opendemocracy.net)."

For a list of sources for the studies referenced in this animation, [click here](http://www.newdream.org/resources/high-price-of-materialism-further-reading?ref=opendemocracy.net).

*The High Price of Materialism* is also available in [French](http://youtu.be/%5FM-Jf28YW4g?ref=opendemocracy.net) and [German](http://youtu.be/D2KbzZrBbMo?ref=opendemocracy.net).

To visit the Center for a New American Dream website, click [here](http://www.newdream.org/?ref=opendemocracy.net).

The good life is not the same as a life filled with goods. Wellbeing and materialism don’t fit together. *(Animation, 5 minutes).*