Don't you love it when you find you've been completely ignorant on a topic! Well, that happened to me this morning. El Bryan Libre posted about consumerism. Now it is possible that I have been ignorant because I don't fall into the consumerism category (at least not completely). We have been trying to disengage from materialistic values for years now. Downsizing, cleaning out possessions that aren't necessary. And so I, in my narrow knowledge set, attached consumerism to materialism. I was glad to know that wasn't a complete misinterpretation. Here it is defined from Answers.com : n. The movement seeking to protect and inform consumers by requiring such practices as honest packaging and advertising, product guarantees, and improved safety standards. The theory that a progressively greater consumption of goods is economically beneficial. Attachment to materialistic values or possessions:  deplored the rampant consumerism of contemporary society. consumerist  c...