> the people who give up their individuality to pursue a career to buy things they might not need
Everyone I met who placed all their chips in pursuing a career were pretty much expressing their individuality. It just so happened that their individuality helped them thrive in a particular environment.
And you'd be surprised how material wealth, including as a status symbol, helps people express their individuality.
Sure I agree there are people who do that as well.
That reminds me of the propaganda movement from Edward Bernays [0] how he profited the industry by convincing people that they need to buy material things (for example, new fashionable clothes) to express their individuality.
Everyone I met who placed all their chips in pursuing a career were pretty much expressing their individuality. It just so happened that their individuality helped them thrive in a particular environment.
And you'd be surprised how material wealth, including as a status symbol, helps people express their individuality.