Let’s diverge for a while to discuss why people act the way they do. In Blog#2 I spoke about the temptation presented to the public by corporations, indeed, life itself. Although definitely not scientific, here, allow me to present my thoughts about why these temptations are effective. I do it somewhat light-heartedly, but not entirely so. I’m fairly sure there is some truth to what I am going to say. Perhaps you have other ideas. Great. Maybe we can then apply our collective knowledge to our environmental dilemma from this new perspective.

S.A.R.G.

S = Superlative

A = Adult

R = Royalty

G = God

SUPERLATIVE

This is a statement of the more-bigger-better concept that people seem to engage in daily. If two are good, three, four… must be better. If he/she has this one, I want that one, because its bigger than his. It is the basis of the 2 for 1 price concept at local stores. I’m sure you get the idea since you have likely participated in this behavior in today’s society. (An extension of this idea might easily be: Me First, typical of modern thinking while driving, in lines waiting for an event, etc.)

In reality, there is considerable scientific evidence supporting this practice since sense receptors have a tendency to habituate. We are aware of our world via our sense receptors: eyes, ears, touch, taste, smell. As sense receptors are continuously stimulated with a constant, set stimulus, they tend to become less responsive, thus requiring a new, and/or stronger stimulus to continue activity. Numerous theories are available to explain the phenomenon, as well as the beneficial and detrimental effects of the phenomenon. (Indeed, this fact is perhaps one of the many reasons substance abuse occurs and escalates, but this discussion is not my purpose here.)

So while there is scientific evidence for the behavior, suffice it to say that retailers have learned to take advantage of the tendency, luring customers further along the spiral. Indeed, not only does this apply to larger quantities, but also larger qualities of a product, ultimately leading to the concept of super stimuli. For example, by accentuating taste, color, size modalities preferential selection of products can be predicted, influenced, and capitalized upon. I once knew a young lady who preferred the product TANG to real orange juice because “it tastes more like what orange juice should taste…the ads tell me…I believe the ads…why wouldn’t I…it’s better than orange juice”.

My point here is that this is the basis of my SARG theory. All else is consequential to this one concept.

ADULT

How many times have you heard, been told, or perhaps even thought about yourself: “Hey! I’m an adult now. I spent my entire life working- hard… for other people …to stay alive… help other people…it’s about time I paid myself back for my hard work… …start working for myself…I deserve it, finally…there are certain gratuities that should come with age…sitting back, feet up, a good book, sipping a cocktail, and enjoying the fruits of my long, hard, labor…you agree, don’t you… just wait until you’re my age and talk to me then…you’ll see what I’m talking about…”

Among other reasons, this is the primary attraction of typical adult living communities, the limousine, or the luxurious ocean cruise: get rid of the hum drum, the tedious, repetitive  aspects of normal life, offering instead those luxuries everyone dreams about, but quicker, easier, without the troubles. 

While not an ocean voyage, I do remember a river cruise fitting the same degree of luxury usually attributed to cruises in general. It was after my wife and I crewed on the Soren Larsen, a brigantine- rigged tall ship sailing from Vanuatu to New Caledonia in the South Pacific. I won’t describe all our daily chores, but sufficient to say, it wasn’t a “luxury cruise” . It was, however, the satisfaction of a lifelong dream for me. In that regard it was indeed a luxury cruise.

Several years later my wife said: OK. You got to do what you’ve always wanted to do, now I would like the same opportunity. After she described her wish: cruising the Danube on a river boat, and after resisting just so many times, primarily because I never saw myself akin to people who have all their needs tended to by others, I finally submitted. 

What an experience! Again, without going into detail here, it was precisely as you would expect complete luxury to be, and more so. To me, the reality of those ten days truly manifested itself only after arriving home, when I had to make my usual dull breakfast by myself. What a difference!

Royalty

Frankly, I think this borders very closely with the former category, “Adult”, of my SARG theory. If it is indeed a separate category, which is the way I prefer to treat it here, then I believe most people would think more critically about whether or not they would want this lifestyle. From what I understand, royalty carries with it some very significant responsibilities and behaviors that most people would not allow themselves to adhere to even if there are some astounding perks. 

I must admit, however, that the river cruise was a most unusual experience in my life… and also that it will likely never happen again. A once-and-done pleasure, is how I describe to to myself. As pleasant as it was, I’m just not that kind of person. 

Having said that, however, I recognize that there are some people who are born into such luxury…a lineage…where this activity is quite commonplace, indeed, expected, in their daily repertoire. And this could easily be extended to include  the “Me first” concept common in daily life, i.e., (as royalty, you shall yield to me). 

Perhaps you would ask: “Who do they think they are, anyway? Why them? What’s so special about them? Why shouldn’t I be able to have what they have…after all…

Or perhaps you say,  “….I would sure like to have what they have…can you imagine that…aren’t they beautiful…their clothes, cars, homes, lifestyles…imagine servants, I mean someone to wait on your every need…WOW! How lucky can you be?

Is this what luck means? 

No. They are royalty. They are a genetic lineage that has been declared to deserve this by someone…because…they have had it all these year…established by some decree many years ago…a tradition…others want and expect this difference among people…

I must admit that his topic is far removed from my expertise for discussion. I also realize this can be a touchy subject, especially to some people. That’s not the way I want to address it, however. My emphasis is rather that many, most (?) people would likely choose that way of life if given the choice.

Why?

I saw a joke recently that might help address this issue. At first, as I was reading it, it was sad, UNTIL I discovered that royalty was it’s brunt. Only then did it become funny, sad, but still funny, because while I was reading it, I was comparing my life, and that of all the people I know, to that person being described. Until I got to the punch line, it sounded like a typical modern day life with its ups and downs.

I include it in this section because it clearly, but sarcastically, points to the difference between royalty and normal people, and does so because it is understood that privileged people (Royalty) are not supposed to experience the mundane everyday troubles that plague everyone else. They are above it, protected from it, precisely because they are privileged. 

If you are part of a culture that believes this way, you understand, saying: “Of course.”

If you are not of that culture, you say: “Who the hell do they think they are? Of all the nerve!”

THE JOKE:

Dear Santa:

When I was a child, my father cheated on my Mom and didn’t love my family.

Later, my parents divorced.

Soon after, my mother died in a car accident.

My brother and I could only live in my grandma’s old house.

Grandma’s sister was an alcoholic.

The whole family lived on my grandma’s savings.

Grandma recently died.

My Uncle Andy is barely keeping himself out of jail from day to day.

My brother left home and won’t talk to us any more.

Dad, now 73, had to go out to work to support the family and eventually he is going to want me to do the same thing.

Yours sincerely,

 Prince William

Point made?

GOD

Short and sweet:

The final component of my theory attempting to explain why people act as they do. 

According to Judeo-Christian doctrine, and some others was well, God created everything, including humans. Regarding humans, God created everyone to be equal. 

If so, then it goes without saying that I SHOULD be able to have everything they have …and more…I’m as good…perhaps better than they are…I want the same…God says I should have the same, even more.

Bingo! 

S.A.R.G. means more cars, homes, food, TVs, vacations, toys, machinery…

Therefore, resources drained to depletion, dumpsites overflowing into surrounding landscapes, rivers, oceans, the atmosphere, and still we want and want and want…more, bigger, better.

The reason I brought this theory to your attention is because I’m asking you if you are one of “Them”? Do you think S.A.R.G.? Has this type thinking ever driven you to act accordingly? 

As I stated in an earlier Blog, I’m convinced I can “sell” environmental sensibility to a much larger portion of the general public by asking people to commit to small, less burdensome, less demanding changes in behavior, than by asking for complete and total lifestyle changes, as does “Earth First” and “Earth Now”, and “Earth Liberation Front”. 

I’m asking for something similar to “the sale” in the business world. Lower your individual “price” and more people will buy the product, thus far exceeding what you would make if the full price were charged… AND, once in the store, they most likely will buy other products. Again I say, there must be a place along the continuum between, “I want what I want when I want it” and “Save the Earth. Kill yourself”  ,where everyone can find a comfortable way of living while also helping a very, and increasingly fragile, Earth.

So I’m asking the following of you now…here: Whenever you decide to do or buy something, please weigh the effect(s) of this decision on the environment from two perspectives: One: how necessary is this to your well-being. The second: how will it impact the environment.  This says, as a starter, that at least you are thinking about the environment in everything you do. (This is consistent with  the Iroquois thought: “In our every deliberation, we must consider its impact on the next seven generations”). 

My position, and this is just my position: if it is not absolutely necessary for you to have or do, and this includes psychologically, DON’T DO IT. If you deem you can’t do without  it, and this also includes psychologically, by all means do it, get it.

Now, If you do decide to do it or get it, the next thought Must Be, if there are multiple ways to accomplish it, can I use the one having the least impact on the environment. More than likely, given the scatter-brained, irresponsible ways people have been doing things in past years regarding the environment, there WILL be alternative, less impacting, ways of doing the same thing. All that it will take is a little thought, sensitivity, and conviction.

 A simple example:

I needed a new headlamp. Mine broke after dropping it on a rock hiking last year. I recently saw three headlamps for the price of one at a local retailer. It seemed like a great idea, especially because I do use a headlamp while hiking. I thought: neat deal: I could put one in my car and keep another at home. I certainly use them in both places…in case I forget to transfer the light. Three, however? I suppose they will break or burn out. But three? Limiting my use will lengthen its lifetime, I thought; new batteries instead of total lamp replacement sounded more logical. I questioned the shelf life of batteries? Where would I store it…for how long…will I find it when I need it? Three? 

My last headlamp lasted eight years. In eight years I’ll be ninety one. What’s the likelihood I’ll be hiking at ninety one, especially at night where I might need a headlamp? Three? Why can’t I just buy another one at that time if one of them breaks down…?   

I walked away from the display deciding that the advertisement was probably designed for someone else with different needs…perhaps three kids…friends, etc.

Was I wrong? Was my thinking correct? Was I being cheap? Would it have REALLY mattered?  

Frequently Asked Questions

Q- Is SARG a real philosophy?

A- It depends on how you define “real”, but no, it is just my personal assessment about how and why people act as they do. I don’t know how much science there is supporting this concept because this is just me, philosophizing over morning coffee or while on my daily walks. Consider it that way. However, if it strikes a bell with you, great! If you can add to it or change it somewhat, by all means go for it. 

There are certainly other, more scientifically based ideas about human behavior. Research some off them. You’ll likely learn something

Q- Do people really think: “SARG”?

A- Again, This was only my concept of how and why I think people act as they do.

Q- Does the “God” component of the S.A.R.G. theory imply religious commentary?

A- Not at all. My reference here was only intended to logically extend my concept to all people as most people consider how and why God is involved in personal behaviors. 

Q- What are the potential downsides of following the S.A.R.G. mindset?

A- Bingo! In my mind, our present day social and environmental state.