Consumerism by definition is a modern movement for the protection of the consumer against useless, inferior, or dangerous products, misleading advertising, and unfair pricing. The believe that an ever-expanding consumption of goods is advantageous to the economy. How do we decide on what to consume when there are brands constantly competing for our attention. Studies have shown that when people are supplied with lots of options,they tend to buy less. Are our views rational and uninfluenced by society and advertisement? There are several courses dedicated to understanding patterns to our endless consumption. Careers based entirely on influencing an average American into swiping their credit cards. We pride ourselves on rational behavior and freedom of chasing the dream of american capitalism, yet we indulge in the idea that the more useless things we buy the happier we will be. A nation that once valued production and sustaining its economy through manufacture, now prides itself that it can sell you anything through advertisement. The modern society that is based on what we have makes or breaks us. I believe we must change our views on what it means to be truly happy and realize how materialism affects our future as a nation. If together we can close our wallets and open our minds, we can expect a drastic shift in taking back control of our finances. Just as the target demographic starts at adolescence, so must education to prevent being consumed by consumerism. .
I recently found myself in need of a laptop, like any smart shopper I did my share of research and investigation. All directions, five star ratings, and likes pointed me towards Apple's Macbook Air, upon arriving at my local Apple store and being greeted by over enthusiastic, tech savvy, self proclaimed "geniuses," I deterred second glances at laptops with the capability of making me into a self proclaimed graphic designer, lines of apple watches, iPods and Pads.
