How Much Is Enough?

I have been reading Barber’s book Consumed: How Markets Corrupt Children, Infantilize Adults, and Swallow Citizens Whole. His perspective is that the rise in consumerism has created a dangerous mentality that values personal choice over the public good.

By coincidence, I read a story in today’s newspaper about Arnold Chase. He is building a 50,900 square foot house in New England.

The house features a two-level, 33,500 square foot basement with a 103-seat movie theatre, ticket booth, concession stand, game room and music annex.

According to the West Hartford planning office, the house includes a 400 square foot observatory, five bedrooms, eight full bathrooms and five half bathrooms. The game room, in the upper basement, will take up 4,900 square feet. 4,900 square feet of living space. Just for games.