I think there is a lot of social pressure as to what is considered "normal" or a decent standard of living, which isn't really being decided by individuals but instead, corporations or media. That may sound a little conspiratorial for some, but the more I think about it, it's true. The messages filter down through advertising and soon, other people are lightly goading their peers into getting some new product. This past weekend I was convinced that an eHarmony universal remote would make my life better (I just bought one). Because I'm too lazy to handle four remotes?

The media also filters a lot of scary messages like the danger of urban neighborhoods (crime) and all kinds of exposes on hazards surrounding us, but not the right ones, because they aren't as sensational.

For instance I just read in the Economist an article on one study suggesting that SUVs seat belts actually do not make driving safer, because with larger cars and seat belts people think they're immune to danger and therefore drive more aggressively. Imagine that.

I would not be at all surprised to learn that living in an "urban" environment where there is supposedly more street crime, might be a wash compared to living 30 miles away from work and driving on a freeway.

Anyhow, getting back to your post - I think if we as individuals sat down and really, objectively looked at all the crap in our homes and thought about how much we use on a regular basis and really "need" - I'd say the majority of it could go, easily. Probably more.

As a broke college student, I had probably 10% of what I have now, and I actually was much more productive and I dare say, as happy then as I am now.