Sleeves Magazine May 2016 | Page 74

Money For Nothing by George Reece A brief thought about value for money: As a stylish young man in today's world there are many good reasons to make good money, and not one of them involves providing for a family. The politics of individualism put hedonistic personal enjoyment of life ahead of oddly old-fashioned ideas of community, togetherness, sustainability, heritage. More than ever before we are taught to dream of great personal accomplishments, of actualisation and enlightenment as individuals (often through material gain of course), rather than seeking contentment in our biological imperative and in the Where perhaps the archetypal gentleman of the 1950s would have spent the majority of his wage on mortgage payments, food and clothing for his wife and children, school fees, medical expenses etc., the forward-thinking modern man is no freer for his lack of attachments. He is expected, for example, to attend social events on a regular basis in some of the most expensive cities in the world, buying food and drink of more style than substance, and wearing not just high-quality clothing, but fresh and current high-quality clothing. He must own the latest gadgets, keep up with the television and music of the moment, and Sleeves Magazine