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The Next Idea: Challenging consumerism and economic growth

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It’s the holiday shopping season and you’re probably being bombarded with the message "buy more, your loved ones deserve it", "Do your part to stimulate the economy", and "Just. Keep. Buying." 

Yet, ever growing economic development greatly depends on ever diminishing resources. Every innovation that hits the market, the next big thing that everyone must have is not necessarily going to make anyone any happier.

 That’s the subject of our Next Idea essay from Rex LaMore. Rex is the director of Michigan State University’s Center for Community Economic Development. He looked at this idea that making and selling more goods is necessary for economic growth. He argues we need to reexamine that notion. 

You can read Dr. LaMore's essay here and listen to him above.

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