Need brings greed, If greed increases it spoils the breed...

 Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy need without ever reaching satisfaction itself.

 

[SITUATION]

Girl: I have no dresses in my closet to wear again so, time for shopping. Hey, this dress looks good, but this one also doesn’t look half-bad. Huh, oh, this one’s trash. Anhhh. O.M.G. That is the most beautiful dress, that I have seen. Do you have this in my size? No! Oh, well I’ll fit into it. How much are these three dresses? $2,500 each. Eh, no worries, I have got my own credit card. What, it declined. Looks like I’ll have to use daddy’s credit card. Cha-ching!! Oh, look there’s a call from him!

Father: I gave that card to you only for emergencies. Young lady, how dare you spend $7,500 on my credit card without my permission on three useless dresses to fill in a closet that is already filled with your trashy previous clothes. Honey, if you don’t stop this behaviour this instant, I will cancel your trip to Singapore.

Girl: But, you can’t do that! I have to go. The whole trip would be incomplete without me.

Father: Then you better stop wasting money and purchase for a needful purpose.

Girl: Okay, daddy. {Hangs up} Whatever, let’s buy some makeup from Sephora. Oh, this would be perfect. Let’s do a little bit more cha-ching.

Father: That’s it! Card confiscated.

Girl: Daddy, how did you get here?

Father: You shouldn’t go shopping at a mall that is clearly next to your father’s business. You’re grounded, missy and no more trip.

Girl: I hate you, daddy.

 

[ESSAY]

Now, you might be thinking that the girl deserved it, and I’m not denying the fact. But, would you do the same, if you were put in the same place and the same situation. Verbally, most would deny, but their behaviour would say otherwise.

Need and Greed are two different things. Say, you are hungry. Need can satiate it, but greed can make it desperate for more, when it is already full. As societies have evolved, these needs expanded to include emotional and social aspects like love, belonging, and self-esteem. Needs drive progress and innovation, leading to developments in many sectors and communities. However, when need’s darker side, greed, takes over, the desire could lead to destructive consequences. Greed is often driven by the wanting of wealth, power, or status, and can result in actions like exploitation, conflict, and harm to others.

Historically, the transition from need to greed can be observed in the behaviour of empires, corporations, and individuals:

·         Empires that began as small communities seeking security and prosperity often expanded through conquest and colonisation, driven by the greed for more land, resources, and power.

·         Corporations that started with the goal of meeting societal needs often expanded into monopolies, driven by the desire for greater market share and profit, often at the expense of ethical considerations and social responsibility.

·         If we talk about individuals, the transition from need to greed is often fuelled by fear and insecurity. For instance, a person who grew up in poverty may develop a deep-seated fear of scarcity, leading them to hoard wealth or resources even when their basic needs are met.

When greed is allowed to flourish unchecked, it has devastating consequences for individuals, societies, and the environment. One of the most prevalent ones is the erosion of social trust and cohesion. Greed drives individuals to prioritise their own interests over those of others, leading to competition, conflict, and social fragmentation. In extreme cases, this results in violence, war, etc. In 1984, because of cost-cutting measures and negligence by Union Carbide Corporation, a gas leak occurred, leading to thousands of deaths and long-term health issues for the local population and this was known as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

The environmental impact of greed is also profound. The insatiable desire for more resources has led to the overexploitation of natural resources, deforestation, pollution, and climate change. This not only threatens the survival of countless species but also undermines the very foundation of human life on Earth. The Wayanad landslide on 30 July of 2024 is a tragic example of what greed can do. Heavy rains triggered landslides in multiple villages, including Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, Meppadi, and Kunhome.

Moreover, the globalised economy has created a culture of consumerism, where the relentless pursuit of material goods and wealth is seen as a measure of success and happiness. This culture not only fuels greed but also contributes to a sense of disconnection from others and the natural world. In recent decades, India has experienced rapid economic growth and while this growth has lifted millions out of poverty, it has also led to significant wealth concentration. According to Oxfam's "Time to Care" report in 2020, the richest 1% of India's population held over 40% of the country's wealth, while the bottom 50% owned just 2.8%.

Psychologically, greed can have detrimental effects on individuals, leading to stress, anxiety, and a sense of emptiness or dissatisfaction. The pursuit of material wealth or power often fails to bring lasting happiness or fulfilment, leading to a vicious cycle of desire and dissatisfaction. This can result in mental health issues such as depression, addiction, and a loss of meaning or purpose in life.

If I have to give a personal example, it would be of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ by Robert Frost, which highlights how both fire and ice have the power to destroy our world. Fire, as in desire & lust, while Ice, as hatred or indifference. Society has already accepted this concept, but with these two choices, and Frost says that he agrees with both, and that any one is sufficient.

The principles of need and greed have profoundly influenced human history, shaping civilizations, economies, and moral values. While the fulfilment of needs drives progress and innovation, unrestrained greed leads to social and environmental degradation. The consequences of greed highlight the importance of fostering a balanced approach to human desires. That is the need for today’s world. Let’s take a moment to reflect and bring a change, so that society can become balanced.

Thank you.