Clark B. Montgomery Fast Company Article July, 1999

"THE AUCTION ADDICTION" Anonymous. September, 1999. Pg. 370.

Summary

The Auction Addiction is another of those Fast Company articles that initially seems to be written more for entertainment value than content. In this story, the author relates how he/she wanted to become an "on-line action junkie" (just like everybody else) and begin to "get in on all the fun". After picking up some Internet tips at a cocktail party, about all the "great stuff you could buy on-line", he/she accessed the eBay website. Although the author admits never having had a passion for collectibles, he/she tried becoming a collector (via eBay) in hopes of "catching the fever" and putting some meaning into life. After amassing a pile junk at great personal expense, the author admits to the "inevitable eBay letdown" where the only way to maintain an Internet high was to "up the ante". Now, rather than goods, even more expensive purchases were made involving personal advice, mystical spells and individual enlightenment - all in the hope of seizing the magic of the Internet.

Eventually, the author recognizes the scam and acknowledges that he/she has become "a hopeless eBay addict, with all my money and dreams going up in smoke". Just when you think there's hope for this poor creature, the author continues by stating that eBay now has, available for purchase, a "12 Step Program for Auction Addition" that should solve the problem.

Reflection

Although the article was written as a satire, with the storyline utter nonsense, I think it actually says a lot about our culture in the year 2000. In my interpretation, as members of an intensely wealthy consumer society, we have become dependent on consumer products for comfort and on technological splendor for spirituality. In spite of the ease that convenience and comfort provides, we appear confronted with an increasing population of unhappy, confused and continually "searching for the light" citizens. Without inner peace generated through self-identity, humans seem to develop an urgency for discovering a purpose for their very being. While identity has traditionally had its roots in human discourse and based on the fundamental values of family, community and nature, many in our current culture have either forgotten or have rejected those values in lieu of an easier path of physical comfort. Can it be that designer drugs, clothes, workstations, vacations and even families actually generates more neuroses than comfort? I think that's entirely possible.

Discussion

On a recent trip to San Francisco with several M.Ed. Cohorts, we had the privilege of attending the 1999 Transformative Learning (TL) conference. With an assembly representing many parts of the country, it was interesting to observe that many (not all) perceive TL as something different than to what this Cohort group has been exposed. While the fundamentals of TL, including tolerance, openness and reflection were recognized by all, it was the utilization/application of these same premises that appeared to differ. It seems that, in general, the Cohort group finds value in TL as an effective technique to promote better understanding, communication and learning. It was interesting to learn that others in attendance viewed TL as a spiritual phenomena that would (hopefully) provide enlightenment for their purpose in being.

Although being assuming and/or judgmental is not in keeping with the premises of Transformative Learning, in this situation it would be difficult not to wonder "what in the heck is going on". Whether accurate or not, in discussion with some of my Cohort peers regarding their observations, there seemed to be a consensus of opinion. To wit, many of those individuals "internalizing" the messages of Transformative Learning freely discussed their need to "find themselves" or "discover meaning to their existence" and that TL seemed to be providing that. It's almost as if this were some type of fad or cult issue to be discarded once it fails to meet the test. In deeper conversation, many of those same persons appear to have rejected a number of traditional values regarding family/ community that could give their life meaning. In my mind, my observations in San Francisco supports my analysis of the Fast Company satire.

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-- Anonymous, August 27, 1999

Answers

Clark,

I appreciated hearing your perspectives from the TL (Transformational Learning) conference - I am looking forward to hearing more about it. Even in our class this summer it appeared that there is a variability in what TL means to different people - and it sounds like the edges were pushed even farther at the conference - should be great stuff for class discussions!

One personal reservation (concern?) I have with TL (which I "temporarily suspended" for the class), that I think you are alluding to in your review is the idea that truth/meaning is "found" in personal discovery and dialogue. The idea has validity to a point, but ONLY to a point. It is my opinion that a person will quickly find themselves lost and "searching for meaning" if they don't have a solid set of basic "absolute beliefs" to build their lives on.

For myself, I have to believe in something that does not change just because I change. I think it is good to review and question how I interpret and respond to the "absolute beliefs" in my life, especially in light of changing circumstances of my life. But I also believe that although my interpretation may change, the truth itself does not change.

I think TL is an EXCELLENT theory to apply to teaching. It is also an excellent theory to apply to many of the roles and situations where I interact with other people. Learning about TL has had a huge impact on how I look at many things in my life - I am doing many things differently and (hopefully) better. However, I do not believe that TL is the ultimate theory to base all of my life and eternity on.

Anyway, this turned out to be a much longer response than I had intended, and maybe is not what you were intending when you wrote your article review, but it was "on my mind" as I read it and seemed to follow your train of thought.

Todd

-- Anonymous, August 30, 1999