But humanity is just filled with creators, it is also filled with collectors. And it doesn't matter what is collected anymore. Many will argue that collecting knowledge is the goal of life, but I think that knowledge unapplied is pretty useless. Knowing a lot doesn't make you more capable to give value to society, if it isn't coupled with the potential to use it. The internet is filled with knowledge, everything at our fingertips - yet people are less creative than ever.
Knowledge and intelligence are useless unless they are used sufficiently. Someone X is said to be highly intelligent. Is he of any benefit to himself or society? No. His intelligence is worthless; technically, he is no different from an idiot.
The real problem with consumerism is this: there is a serious imbalance between production and consumption. If production outweighs consumption, then the problem arises. The crucial point is that production and consumption are at a level that benefits society. We are currently in a period of rampant consumption. The consequences for society will be severe.
"It's not what you know, it's how you use it."
We are in a period of rampant consumption of goods and services that don't bring enough value to society.