A large part of this mind set is "Use, spend, eat what you have before someone takes it away from you". We are not as far away from the jungle as we like to think we are.
I can just see mom cutting perfect circles out of the lawn with a paring knife for the #1 centerpiece. That is very Martha Stewart. "Honey what happened to the grass?"
Nothing a little baking soda and some BRAINS wouldn't cure. For related stories of stupid kids see: Mio, mustard, cinnamon, nutmeg and endless energy drinks.