Optimal versus maximal consumption?

[Lark]

I read an author once on the topic of demographic changes who suggested that changes associated with an aging population would mandate changes in benefits or wealth distribution but who also, possibly with the old saying about the earth having enough resources to supply everyones need but not everyones greed in the background, suggested that it could render the greater part of the population, ie the aged and "retired", as "super consumers".

The only remedy they saw was for the retired, and everyone else pretty much, to become optimal rather than maximal consumers, what do you think of this dichotomy? Is it a true or false dichotomy? Is it a case of either-or? Is it useful when thinking about scarcity, resource allocation and consumption/consumerism? How would you define the optimal and maximal if you accept the dichotomy and think it is worthwhile or useful? Can you think of any examples from your own life were you aim for the optimal rather than the maximal?

 

[Korg]

optimal = needs
maximal = wants

 

[muir]

We have to change the ideology of consumerism where we are presented with new fads each year that people feel they have to buy into in order to keep up with the jones's

Consumerism preys on a very primative fear of people falling outside the herd

This fear evaporates when you realise the herd are acting stupidly

I love the way this culture is depicted in the hunger games where people are so obsessed with superficial fashion and surface appearances that they just become a parody of themselves