[Steely Tom]

Yes, before the 20th Century, everyone lived like Henry David Thoreau, in a cabin built by their own hands, wanting nothing but a peaceful view of a lake.

[discostu]

Nobody is saying that. But advertising culture wasn’t nearly as strong. Brand identity wasn’t as strong. Planned obsolescence didn’t exist. The fact that in modern America we even manage to market communism for profit really shows how strong consumer culture is.

[Who is John Galt?]

Yes, before the 20th Century, everyone lived like Henry David Thoreau, in a cabin built by their own hands, wanting nothing but a peaceful view of a lake.

And in the 21st Century, everyone rents extra space just to store all of the extra stuff we own but won't ever use again.

;^)