Let me tell you this. It was a fantastic post. Bravo. You supported a strong idea with important people's opinions which was awesome. Also this sentence but rather, because it’s a genuine reflection of you as an individual. is incredible. I hope we will not fall into this consumerism in any aspect of life and live our life being us not being anyone else.
Why Do We Live In an Age of Consumerism? I think you talk about what forces surround us, wanting us to succumb to their wishes. I guess your answer would be that we allow our media to be owned and operated by these folks and we require only capital to define who has the loudest voice in our ear.
Excellent and thought provoking essay. I had always thought of Marcuse as a Marxist. Oops.
"...within our current capitalist system, consumption is more important than production itself, as the consumption of an item is the only way that mass production can be useful for corporations."
In economic terms this Keynesian. Maybe regarding the key 'force' of the economy:
Keynes says consumption
Hayek says exchange (i.e. the invisible hand between production and consumption)
Marx says production.
"consumerism” is a synonym for "materialism". Of course, in philosophy materialism means something altogether different. But does the idea that our lives are all about acquiring material things relate to materialism/physicalism?
The intelligent person buys items primarily for their value and utility. Something well made of good materials can be maintained and give years and years of service. These items are also typically high status because the initial purchase price is high, however, the intelligent person would not knowingly purchase an item of dubious quality simply for its snob appeal.
It is not correct that $15.00 shoes are just as "useful" as much more expensive ones (I am not talking about the silly looking sneakers here; the sneakers are ludicrous in both their appearance and their price. They are an extreme example.) The reality is that very expensive things are usually way better in quality and will last longer. I stress "usually".
I drool when I see beautifully sewn garments; you just don't see such workmanship and material in ordinary-priced clothing. A relative of mine was working in home care (low paid job) for a neurotic rich woman, who gave her some barely used clothing she had bought in one of those fancy New York stores where movie stars go. So, this relative passed these items on to me. I had never worn anything like those items in my life, being on the not-well-off side, shall we say. I felt wonderful wearing those garments, and this had nothing to do with what people thought as I've never been inclined to try and impress. Indeed, no one really noticed, I don't think. Wearing high quality garments just makes a person feel good. Your body knows! FWIW.
Here I was complaining about spending USD 200 on a pair of shoes because I have odd size feet and more than USD 100 for my husband’s because he needs a little more support. On the other hand, we always have a Goodwill pile going, sometimes with items that didn’t work or weren’t as useful as I’d hoped. But @HalilIbrahim and @MalcolmJMcKinney are right. Beautifully written and argued.
Let me tell you this. It was a fantastic post. Bravo. You supported a strong idea with important people's opinions which was awesome. Also this sentence but rather, because it’s a genuine reflection of you as an individual. is incredible. I hope we will not fall into this consumerism in any aspect of life and live our life being us not being anyone else.
Thanks for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed. I appreciate your kind feedback.
Why Do We Live In an Age of Consumerism? I think you talk about what forces surround us, wanting us to succumb to their wishes. I guess your answer would be that we allow our media to be owned and operated by these folks and we require only capital to define who has the loudest voice in our ear.
Excellent and thought provoking essay. I had always thought of Marcuse as a Marxist. Oops.
"...within our current capitalist system, consumption is more important than production itself, as the consumption of an item is the only way that mass production can be useful for corporations."
In economic terms this Keynesian. Maybe regarding the key 'force' of the economy:
Keynes says consumption
Hayek says exchange (i.e. the invisible hand between production and consumption)
Marx says production.
"consumerism” is a synonym for "materialism". Of course, in philosophy materialism means something altogether different. But does the idea that our lives are all about acquiring material things relate to materialism/physicalism?
The intelligent person buys items primarily for their value and utility. Something well made of good materials can be maintained and give years and years of service. These items are also typically high status because the initial purchase price is high, however, the intelligent person would not knowingly purchase an item of dubious quality simply for its snob appeal.
It is not correct that $15.00 shoes are just as "useful" as much more expensive ones (I am not talking about the silly looking sneakers here; the sneakers are ludicrous in both their appearance and their price. They are an extreme example.) The reality is that very expensive things are usually way better in quality and will last longer. I stress "usually".
I drool when I see beautifully sewn garments; you just don't see such workmanship and material in ordinary-priced clothing. A relative of mine was working in home care (low paid job) for a neurotic rich woman, who gave her some barely used clothing she had bought in one of those fancy New York stores where movie stars go. So, this relative passed these items on to me. I had never worn anything like those items in my life, being on the not-well-off side, shall we say. I felt wonderful wearing those garments, and this had nothing to do with what people thought as I've never been inclined to try and impress. Indeed, no one really noticed, I don't think. Wearing high quality garments just makes a person feel good. Your body knows! FWIW.
Here I was complaining about spending USD 200 on a pair of shoes because I have odd size feet and more than USD 100 for my husband’s because he needs a little more support. On the other hand, we always have a Goodwill pile going, sometimes with items that didn’t work or weren’t as useful as I’d hoped. But @HalilIbrahim and @MalcolmJMcKinney are right. Beautifully written and argued.
Acquisition is always a tension between utility and available resources.
Each aspect can be modified by unrealistic weights added or subtracted internally or externally.
Accuracy of assements are vital.
Mom says "All things in moderation."
I like your style.