The lives of Americans today are ruled by interlocking corporations. These corporations together present only one kind of life as viable: the consumer's life. Television is their main means of presenting this view. One cannot choose something he does not know about, and many Americans are not sufficiently informed of the alternatives to make an intelligent choice of the life they want most. Furthermore, independent students of our society--quite apart from their personal values--believe there is a correlation between the messages preached by television and many of our worst social problems. One good way to get away from the consumer ethic is to examine one's own life and decide which products one really needs and which are just frills. Products, cars, and even many jobs are obstacles rather than aids to leading a satisfying life, and one may have to eliminate them from one's own life and substitute a life closer to nature to find fulfillment. (JK)