Frugality would kill the modern economy.

Simple, really, it comes down to jobs. Less spending equates to fewer jobs. (Come to think of it, people were damn frugal during the great depression.) Philosophically, you might not believe in conspicuous consumption, but it is what drives the world's economy.

Individually, being frugal does make sense. Globally it doesn't. But not to worry, man is innately a consumer. It's not only his nature, but the nature of nature. In times of plenty, the impulse of all living creatures is to eat and store more of whatever is valuable. This makes sense, because bad times eventually come.

As for me, I'm not very materialistic (comparatively speaking) but I still see the world as it is, not as I wish it to be. To choose to be frugal is only a choice when you live in a rich society. Otherwise, it's not a choice.