A precursory reading of Lars Eighner's article about dumpster diving revels that the author began the practice of "scavenging" about a year before he actually became homeless. This suggests to the reader that while dumpster diving may provide an effective method for survival while being homeless, for Eighner, the process of diving has more of a symbolic significance. What Eighner reveals in his article, however, is not only a reflection of his own personal struggles with materialism; rather it is a larger commentary about how life in America has become driven by consumerism.
Critically assessing what Eighner writes about dumpster diving, it is quite evident that the author supports the ideology that life can be sustained through the practice. By offering such helpful hints as to cut the mold off of cheese and always ask "why was this thrown away?" when selecting food from the dumpster, Eighner is able t provide for his readers a practical guide for living, and further surviving, on the streets. However, as the reader progresses through the article, it becomes clear that the main objective of the author is not to show the reader how to survive on dumpster. Instead, Eighner's point is to demonstrate that the average homeless individual can live, and live well, off of what many Americans see as simply refuse.
To elucidate these points, Eighner notes that he has come to two conclusions after ten years of dumpster diving. The first is that there is no value in the abstract. Material things that most individuals collect and put in their homes have no inherent value to the process of life. Second, Eighner has come to conclude that material possessions are transient while ideas are more transcendental. As such, the author believes that material possessions essential have no value. What Eighner argues is that a society that is driven by materialism has essentially no meaning. Further unless ideas are created, materialism will consume and future generations will have nothing upon which to build their future.
