The Treadmill of Consumption I completely agree with the author during this part of the book. Pop culture is motivated by consumerism, and the reason we buy is to satisfy social needs. I think as Americans, we have a constant need to be the best and have the best, newest, and most expensive stuff. Whether it's conscious or subconscious, every time we buy the newest Iphone, or the newest car, we are participating in what the book calls the treadmill of consumption. We keep buying the most expensive and nicest things to try and prove to society that we are successful. But, at the same time other people are doing the same thing so we never really get to prove ourselves. It's a cycle that keeps getting harder and more expensive to participate in. Before I read this part of the book, I never really put much thought into what I buy. Now, I see that the fact that I went out and bought the newest Iphone when it came out is because I subconsciously wanted to keep up with what was currently popular. Of course, when I bought it I was only thinking about how cool the new features of the new phone were. When the next Iphone comes out it will be more expensive and nicer than the last but still, I will most likely purchase it. In fact, every time Apple comes out with a new Iphone, no matter how expensive, I will probably buy it, and so will the rest of #teamIphone in America.
Catherine, It is crazy how a company like Apple can market themselves so well. They are great at making you want their products. They have got it down to a science, by making you wait for a release date and telling you all about the product before the date. Its huge people stand in line for days just to get the new phone when it comes out! I can't hate though I'm a #teamIphone American!
This cycle is getting harder and more expensive to participate in, but of course we won't stop trying until its obvious that having everything isn't everything.
Consuming for Status It is very common for people to buy something just for a status or to be noticed by it. For example, cars, cell phones, jewelry, and clothes are all status items. How many of you have bought a certain name brand just because it’s “cool” right now? We all have done it. It states in the book that even in financial economic crisis we still find a way to purchase status items. Pop culture has a huge influence on what you buy whether you believe it or not. Everything around you, everywhere you look something is trying to influence you to buy a product. Commercials try to make you think that if you buy a luxury car you will have a better image, but what makes a Lexus any different than a Chevy? They are both cars and both are very reliable. Lexus has branded themselves as a luxury car company. Chevrolet has branded themselves as an affordable and reliable car company. If you really compare the two companies side by side they are a lot alike, but we buy the Lexus because we want to look “cool,” or for the status, (if you can afford it.) It all comes down to who can brand themselves the best and market their product the best. If they can get a celebrity to indorse their product they will, just so people see them using it. They hope it will catch on and everyone will want to be like that celebrity. All they are trying to do is influence you to think that their product is the best so you will buy it.
I agree with you on the branding and marketing. Car companies like Chevrolet do make some cars that in the interior could be just as luxury as a Lexus and the exterior is very similar, but the branding labels only one luxury. That's a great example.
The Treadmill of Consumption: In the chapter on the treadmill of consumption, the author notes that it is often compared to addiction to various drugs. The treadmill explains that people keep buying more in order to keep up with trends and to stay on the upper end of things. In this same way drug addicts continue to need more and more of any particular drug to reach the same “high” that use to be achieved by smaller doses. We also discussed consumer goods and its similarities to drugs when we over viewed the Weight Watchers commercial in class. The voice over for the ad was was Aaron Paul, star of the drug-based television series Breaking Bad. They also visually compare over consumption of food to particular drugs; for example, crack cocaine to granulated sugar and so on. In both of these examples the similarities are clear. We claim to need more and more of something in order to be happy, but when we consume more food are we happy? And how about drugs? This is the same for essentially any other consumer good as well. It's not about what we actually need but what we think we need to compete with others.We do not get more happiness or joy from this consumption, we just find that the treadmill speeds up and we need more and more things. This is apparent in other trends as well, like cars or jewelry, even entertainment. At one point the television and basic cable was enough to entertain us, but then we needed HBO. After that we started needimg TiVo to record things that we wanted to watch later. We then decided we needed access to our favorite shows all the time, so we needed Hulu and Netflix. Who's to say what we will need next to keep us fully entertained. Potentially virtual reality?
That is a fact for most people living in the US the treadmill is continually pushing. The comparison to of it being to the way a drug addict chases a high is completely applicable.
I agree with the book that in todays world we are all about being the best and having the best of everything. The book describes it as the treadmill of consumption. I think they explain it very well. We all try to up one another only to end up in a never ending cycle. We are never satisfied with what we have. Now it's to the point that the majority of the things we have, aren't even for ourselves but for everyone else. If we have the newest phone, the coolest cars, the most expensive and trendiest cloths; we have somehow won. But what happens when the next person gets something better? We then have to go and up them and it goes on and on. We've been trained that money buys you happiness; which essentially means things bring you happiness. Some may truly believe this, but I couldn't disagree more. If the value of your life depends on all of the things that you have then you will never be happy. The book talks about storage companies being such a popular business and until I read it I have never thought about that before. We have a home which is filled with things then we buy another place to hold even more things that we will never use again. Eventually we will forget about it all together. The next time it will be touched will most likely be after we pass. When you really think about that it sounds crazy. I started doing something about a year ago where I get rid of clothing, shoes, etc. anytime I buy new ones. It not only leaves more space but I think it makes you realize how much you have that you really don't need. We're afraid to let go of something just in case we might need it sometime down the road, even though deep down we know it's just taking up space. I think some people are addicted to having things. Like a drug. People would say it's crazy to compare the two, but an addiction is something you don't think you can live without, and that is the case for some people. Especially when it comes to technology. We no longer know how to exist without having everything we want, when we want it at the end of our fingertips.
I think its funny because we are so stupid and fall for it every time and probably still will. Like are we going to keep the same car after the newest model comes out? Are we not going to upgrade our phones when the iPhone 7 comes out in a few weeks? I'm willing to bet not.
In the book, it states that we as people are associated with consuming for status. I agree completely that, in our current society, people buy things specifically to show a certain status or wealth that they may have. I see this a lot with cars, especially since I am a car guy and attend a lot of car events. We are always looking for the next best thing and the most expensive thing because they want to give off a certain thought of themselves in order to look wealthy. You could also say that the books "treadmill of consumption" is also related to this. For example, a person will buy a 2016 model car and everyone loves it, especially the owner, but they still end up trading it in for the new 2017 model even if they don't like the newer model as much. Why would they do this you might ask? Simply because they like the feeling of having the latest and greatest things and could care less they like it less because in their eyes newer is better. We also see this in the luxury cars where people buy cars like the "Bugatti" or the "Lamborghini." As a car person, if you are buying a car for performance, this is not the best route and I see that they are basically buying the name of these cars because others notice them more and it is because of the price tag that accompanies the car when for way cheaper they can get a car that, in a performance view, is a better bang for your buck. Cars aren’t the only place where this happens though. It happens in jewelry, phones, shoes, homes, and even sometimes animals. It is like an endless cycle and a lot of the time people waste a lot of money in the process. Many people will even go in debt just to get these types of things. It’s like no matter how much we have, we are never happy. It is a never ending cycle and we just want to get everything that we want.
Trading in one car model for the newest is a great example of the treadmill, because so many people do it and don't see a problem with it. Its a norm that doesn't make sense especially if the car they're trading in is relatively new.
One particular section of the reading that stuck out to me the most was when the author claimed that, “you are what you buy”. I never realized how accurate this statement was until I started the readings in class which forced me to think about how relevant this is in our society. For some reason, we as a generation have made it so crucial to always have the newest and most popular things. Whether it’s owning the newest technology or wearing a specific brand of clothing, whatever someone buys or wears basically determines who they appear to be. This has gotten so out of hand that people buy things and support things that they don’t actually even truly know about or understand. For example, it has become a common thing for people to wear clothing items with the word “Thrasher” written on them because apparently that’s the thing to do now. The problem with this is that these people only buy and wear these things because it’s suddenly “the move” or because they saw someone that they admire do it. There’s no problem with doing or wearing whatever you want, obviously, but it does show how our society has become so dependent on consumer culture. Social media plays an extremely large role in this as well. It is almost too easy to log into Instagram or Twitter and see new trends or movements and to see people automatically jump onto them. Honestly speaking, it kind of scares me to see how much this has changed our society. It seems like no one is unique these days because everyone basically does the same “different” thing. Hopefully in the future, we won’t be as dependent on the material items we possess and will focus more on the things we truly enjoy.
This reading perfectly encompasses everything that we know but never really think about. From the jeans we wear to the phones we use, it’s all is intertwined in pop culture. It's interesting to me that America who was one a producing nation, is now run almost solely on consumption. When you really think about it, the treadmill of consumption that we are all on had this hold on us that almost deadly. By that I mean, people walk around more concerned about what someone else had and how they can outdo that person than they are with their own lives. We are consumed with having the newest and latest versions of everything, so much so that people will knowingly put themselves in debt and mess up their credit score just to impress others. But at what point do we take a step back and look at what is happening and realize that none of these businesses that we support care if you spend you very last thousand dollars on their product, and the sad part is that none of these ‘extras’ really make us happier. Instead of spending money on things that we eventually discard, spend it on experiences. Research has actually found that the happiest people are not those who spend their money on possessions but on experiences. Take a trip to a country you've never been,or even something as simple to a city or state you've never been. I think if we all make a conscious effort to really think about if the things we buy are for our own satisfaction or to impress those around us…..wait no, scratch that, that's never going to happen because humans are constantly looking for approval.
I totally agree with the fact that we as consumers are willing to put ourselves into debt just to impress others. In the end, we lose ourselves and our money.
Consumer culture is supreme. Because who would we be if we didn’t have IPhones, Gucci flip flops, and Michael Kors bracelets? We get so focused on having the newest this and the latest that but what is it really doing for us? Not much. Don’t get me wrong sometimes it actually feels good to spoil ourselves. But using up all your money and going into debt just so you can look the wealthiest in the room is a little pointless. For this reason, I have to agree with the what the book said about treadmill consumption. After we are having decent food, a decent place to say, decent clothes on our back, and essentially a minimal and steady life style, the less material things will mean to us. Once that steady level of living is set, the material things just become a competitive game of catch me/ catch up to me if you can. Ultimately no one benefits from it except merchandizers because in reality you are making yourself broke by trying to look rich in order to impress people who probably couldn’t care less if you were wearing a black garbage bag and the 99 cent flip flops from Old Navy. The most ironic part of me writing this blog post is that I am looking at my iPhone sitting next to my Michael Kors watches as I directly judge others for doing the same thing that I am doing at this very second. I guess this will be a personal lesson for me and maybe for the rest of you on this blog feed because we are all guilty of what we are condemning even if we don’t realize it right away. How many of us have iphones? How many of us have Jordans? How many of us are any happier because we bought these verses a much cheaper android or a pair of Buddies from Walmart? Ahhhh consumerism…
The Treadmill of Consumption is an undeniable part of society. It's prevalent in every society and every class of people. With all of these celebrities being shown wearing the latest fashion, driving the newest cars, and flashing the most expensive jewelry,it's easy to see how we get caught up in the need to continuously buy the most expensive, up-to-date goods. In most cases, people put more value into the reaction and admiration they get from others than into the actual good. I feel that this is most specifically shown in our purchase of cars and smartphones. People will go into debt just for the appearance of wealth. Many people do not necessarily need to have actual wealth; the care more about the outward appearance and are willing to spend money they don't have to keep up this appearance. When it comes to popular culture's role in the treadmill of consumption, it is easy to see how so many people are pressured into this need to appear wealthy. Popular culture is always pushing what's new and popular AT THE MOMENT. Considering how often things change, it seems that people will never be satisfied. There is always a newer car or phone right around the corner leaving us insatiable. No matter how new or expensive our goods are, we are stuck in this never ending cycle of needing the next best thing.
I agree that a vast majority of people care way to much about what others think of them. Everyone wants to show off more than they have. I can see this especially being prevalent but an nigh unnoticed thing in our choice of laptops. In college, the MacBook is definately one of those things. There are many people who I know for a fact do not have enough expendable income to have the latest and greatest iPhone, MacBook and Jordans; But they DO have the latest and greatest and it really boggles my mind! I am a very utilitarian minded person and heavily struggle between "bang for buck", practicality, and "expensiveness/current up to date goods".
"Consumption lies at the center of our economic system some two-thirds of our economic activy and the result has been a transformation in the very way we view ourselves"n This is a quote taken right out of our textbook (pg.76) and it underlies the exact reason as to why wwe are constanly bombarded by advertisements. Ads upon ads upon ads upon ads. It was humorous to me today when in class as we were wactching a commercial on youtube their was another commercial before the one we searched up was displayed. It was funny yet annoying that everywhere we look and everywhere we go we are always trying to be sold something. Everyone wants to put a hand in your pocket and take your money. Its subtle and conspicuous at the same time. The companys pay millions of dollars just to have their products displayed. Even at supermarkets such as Walmart, Shooprite, Publix, Kroger's etc. Companys pay a fee to have their product displayed at a certain spot. Every item you see placed in a supermarket was stratigically placed there. This shows the competitiveness that comes with having a brand and trying to keep that brand relevant. We are a consuming nation. Mass production is extremely vital to a consuming nation because to keep a nation of consumers to keep buying and buying you have to make them feel as if what they have is "out of date" or "Old" this is the result of changing the "the very way we view oursleves" Its not far fetched its reality
While reading the chapter, The Treadmill of Consumption in the book Signs of Life In The USA by Sonia Maasik and Jacks Solomon, the authors mention consuming for status. This is undeniably true in America. The book states that “One important reason that consumers buy products is to satisfy social needs.” (Maasik and Solomon 124). The money we earn is usually spent on new products that can make our lives easier. As well, these products can also build a status for consumers. Buying a Lexus and wearing a Patek Phillippe watch, conveys social status. It’s crazy how we as consumers are willing to go the extra mile in order to receive such expensive products. For example, I would be willing to use my rent money if that would mean I would get the newest Nike shoe at $500. While this is drastic, many other Americans would do the same thing. Advertisements play a huge role in what we wear, eat and sometimes determine how we live. If Steve Harvey is seen driving a Mazzarri through in sunny California with a beautiful young lady in his passenger seat, we would be more inclined to buy a Mazzarri. The advertisement is trying to say that you could get a hot girl just from the car you ride and you could be just like Steve Harvey. When compared to a no name actor driving a Honda Civic with his wife and family, Honda is indirectly stating that their cars are family friendly. It’s scary that what we buy is somewhat programmed into our minds just by what we see on television. It makes me wonder how far, we as consumers, are willing to go.
The treadmill of consumption is just a cycle of products that we as consumers go through. It is the new norm to buy a new version of something or a better product of a certain something in order to feel like one belongs in society. Celebrities and athletes are always seen in the hottest items and in the flashiest cars, and most regular people are highly influenced by celebrities and athletes. Therefore, those influenced people will try to do what they can in order to become more elite like their fellow role models. I never really thought about how we go through products the way we do, only to keep up with the latest trends. The iPhone 7 will be coming out soon and many people will try to get it just too look cool and to say they have it, but those people will fail to realize that no one really cares. The new iPhone really isn’t much different than the latest iphones, its just a way for Apple to make more money. Companies make us believe that we need their products and that we need the best of that type of products. They try their best to show that their product is the best and the number of sells determines that. However, there are always ways to improve a product and that is exactly why the treadmill exists. A company finds a way to make something seem better, and we as consumers fall for their trick and decide to upgrade.
I think it's rather interesting for our society to mainly experience the ad culture that we live in today. Every ad is supposed to be done professionally and everything you see on screen has a meaning or is a sign for something. It's kind of weird if you think about it, ad developers work to turn our desires into necessities without us even realizing it. I like to have my own desires thank you, ads nowadays are becoming annoying, but that's because they're using it as a tactic to draw in more viewers. Something really loud and obnoxious grabs people's attention so that they'll remember it later on when they want the product. Ad developers are really having to dig deep and discover new tactics to draw the audience in. Other than using other celebrities or incentives to buy the product, they now have to break some rules to advertisements. But i suppose that if you want to surprise more people, you have to do more extraordinary things to Bring consumers to your store. Now that the iphone 7 came out, everyone will have to update to the new gen and so on and so forth. The phone is a status symbol that shows how much money you're willing to flaunt around. Just like the new iwatch on one wrist and your rolex on the other. But i don't think people realize it as they're buying and wearing the items. Like does the obligation to cut me off in traffic come with buying the nice car?
After reading the treadmill of consumption, and our talks about it, I came to realize that during my recent search of buying a new laptop, I was heavily split between heavily utilitarian or being more superfluous with my purchase. This struck me that between my own search a new laptop, todays advertising strategy of technology contrasts heavily with my own personal wants and necessities. I'm currently selling my older (and technically outdated) 3 year laptop but am split between many options such as my long time want of buying a current model Microsoft Surface, although their very expensive, buying a current model of a MacBook Pro, because status, buying a fairly expensive but very utilitarian laptop, or going strictly frugal and maximize bang for buck and go for the cheapest but most useful choice. Computers are different than other purchases and more akin to buying a car in my opinion. This is because not only do they usually last a longer amount of time, but it is also (besides clothes and a car) the thing that people will see you with the most in the current times. Some people love to consume for status, while others live about practicality, others are split between the two. I know that I'm in this cycle because my first laptop was a "stylish gaming laptop" but now since I have little use for it I'm wanting the a category of Ultrabooks, but one with enough power and future proofing. Not only is this sudden need to get a new laptop increasing my desires to only get the "best" or bringing up old ones, it’s also putting a strain on how I see myself with my purchases as a very utilitarian minded person, but also who wants all the luxurious items.
This also brings into the fact of branding, buying a brand is almost synonymous with buying quality in the electronics world. MacBook and Apples have their own brand versus ASUS who can bring both cheap and premium laptops to the forefront, but ones like Acer and Dell have a very mixed bag. Acer is known for being very cheap and Dell has a problem with their reputation and hasn’t had their prestige heightened in a long time. For those who don’t mind much about electronics, they’ll just buy a cheap one not knowing how bad it is and buy it again once their old one breaks; or they’ll go and buy a MacBook because that’s what everyone else is doing. This is pretty much the struggle I have whenever new electronics, particularly computers, come out. I have the want to go get one, but I don’t need it yet. The struggle only heightens when the need is finally there, but the want has only festered into a very annoying “hey you want this, splurge your money on this, you finally have a reason!” mindset while doing my search.
The Treadmill of Consumption
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the author during this part of the book. Pop culture is motivated by consumerism, and the reason we buy is to satisfy social needs. I think as Americans, we have a constant need to be the best and have the best, newest, and most expensive stuff. Whether it's conscious or subconscious, every time we buy the newest Iphone, or the newest car, we are participating in what the book calls the treadmill of consumption. We keep buying the most expensive and nicest things to try and prove to society that we are successful. But, at the same time other people are doing the same thing so we never really get to prove ourselves. It's a cycle that keeps getting harder and more expensive to participate in.
Before I read this part of the book, I never really put much thought into what I buy. Now, I see that the fact that I went out and bought the newest Iphone when it came out is because I subconsciously wanted to keep up with what was currently popular. Of course, when I bought it I was only thinking about how cool the new features of the new phone were. When the next Iphone comes out it will be more expensive and nicer than the last but still, I will most likely purchase it. In fact, every time Apple comes out with a new Iphone, no matter how expensive, I will probably buy it, and so will the rest of #teamIphone in America.
Catherine,
DeleteIt is crazy how a company like Apple can market themselves so well. They are great at making you want their products. They have got it down to a science, by making you wait for a release date and telling you all about the product before the date. Its huge people stand in line for days just to get the new phone when it comes out! I can't hate though I'm a #teamIphone American!
This cycle is getting harder and more expensive to participate in, but of course we won't stop trying until its obvious that having everything isn't everything.
Delete
ReplyDeleteConsuming for Status
It is very common for people to buy something just for a status or to be noticed by it. For example, cars, cell phones, jewelry, and clothes are all status items. How many of you have bought a certain name brand just because it’s “cool” right now? We all have done it. It states in the book that even in financial economic crisis we still find a way to purchase status items. Pop culture has a huge influence on what you buy whether you believe it or not. Everything around you, everywhere you look something is trying to influence you to buy a product. Commercials try to make you think that if you buy a luxury car you will have a better image, but what makes a Lexus any different than a Chevy? They are both cars and both are very reliable. Lexus has branded themselves as a luxury car company. Chevrolet has branded themselves as an affordable and reliable car company. If you really compare the two companies side by side they are a lot alike, but we buy the Lexus because we want to look “cool,” or for the status, (if you can afford it.) It all comes down to who can brand themselves the best and market their product the best. If they can get a celebrity to indorse their product they will, just so people see them using it. They hope it will catch on and everyone will want to be like that celebrity. All they are trying to do is influence you to think that their product is the best so you will buy it.
I agree with you on the branding and marketing. Car companies like Chevrolet do make some cars that in the interior could be just as luxury as a Lexus and the exterior is very similar, but the branding labels only one luxury. That's a great example.
DeleteThe Treadmill of Consumption:
ReplyDeleteIn the chapter on the treadmill of consumption, the author notes that it is often compared to addiction to various drugs. The treadmill explains that people keep buying more in order to keep up with trends and to stay on the upper end of things. In this same way drug addicts continue to need more and more of any particular drug to reach the same “high” that use to be achieved by smaller doses. We also discussed consumer goods and its similarities to drugs when we over viewed the Weight Watchers commercial in class. The voice over for the ad was was Aaron Paul, star of the drug-based television series Breaking Bad. They also visually compare over consumption of food to particular drugs; for example, crack cocaine to granulated sugar and so on. In both of these examples the similarities are clear. We claim to need more and more of something in order to be happy, but when we consume more food are we happy? And how about drugs? This is the same for essentially any other consumer good as well. It's not about what we actually need but what we think we need to compete with others.We do not get more happiness or joy from this consumption, we just find that the treadmill speeds up and we need more and more things. This is apparent in other trends as well, like cars or jewelry, even entertainment. At one point the television and basic cable was enough to entertain us, but then we needed HBO. After that we started needimg TiVo to record things that we wanted to watch later. We then decided we needed access to our favorite shows all the time, so we needed Hulu and Netflix. Who's to say what we will need next to keep us fully entertained. Potentially virtual reality?
That is a fact for most people living in the US the treadmill is continually pushing. The comparison to of it being to the way a drug addict chases a high is completely applicable.
DeleteI agree with the book that in todays world we are all about being the best and having the best of everything. The book describes it as the treadmill of consumption. I think they explain it very well. We all try to up one another only to end up in a never ending cycle. We are never satisfied with what we have. Now it's to the point that the majority of the things we have, aren't even for ourselves but for everyone else. If we have the newest phone, the coolest cars, the most expensive and trendiest cloths; we have somehow won. But what happens when the next person gets something better? We then have to go and up them and it goes on and on. We've been trained that money buys you happiness; which essentially means things bring you happiness. Some may truly believe this, but I couldn't disagree more. If the value of your life depends on all of the things that you have then you will never be happy. The book talks about storage companies being such a popular business and until I read it I have never thought about that before. We have a home which is filled with things then we buy another place to hold even more things that we will never use again. Eventually we will forget about it all together. The next time it will be touched will most likely be after we pass. When you really think about that it sounds crazy. I started doing something about a year ago where I get rid of clothing, shoes, etc. anytime I buy new ones. It not only leaves more space but I think it makes you realize how much you have that you really don't need. We're afraid to let go of something just in case we might need it sometime down the road, even though deep down we know it's just taking up space. I think some people are addicted to having things. Like a drug. People would say it's crazy to compare the two, but an addiction is something you don't think you can live without, and that is the case for some people. Especially when it comes to technology. We no longer know how to exist without having everything we want, when we want it at the end of our fingertips.
ReplyDeleteI think its funny because we are so stupid and fall for it every time and probably still will. Like are we going to keep the same car after the newest model comes out? Are we not going to upgrade our phones when the iPhone 7 comes out in a few weeks? I'm willing to bet not.
DeleteIn the book, it states that we as people are associated with consuming for status. I agree completely that, in our current society, people buy things specifically to show a certain status or wealth that they may have. I see this a lot with cars, especially since I am a car guy and attend a lot of car events. We are always looking for the next best thing and the most expensive thing because they want to give off a certain thought of themselves in order to look wealthy. You could also say that the books "treadmill of consumption" is also related to this. For example, a person will buy a 2016 model car and everyone loves it, especially the owner, but they still end up trading it in for the new 2017 model even if they don't like the newer model as much. Why would they do this you might ask? Simply because they like the feeling of having the latest and greatest things and could care less they like it less because in their eyes newer is better. We also see this in the luxury cars where people buy cars like the "Bugatti" or the "Lamborghini." As a car person, if you are buying a car for performance, this is not the best route and I see that they are basically buying the name of these cars because others notice them more and it is because of the price tag that accompanies the car when for way cheaper they can get a car that, in a performance view, is a better bang for your buck. Cars aren’t the only place where this happens though. It happens in jewelry, phones, shoes, homes, and even sometimes animals. It is like an endless cycle and a lot of the time people waste a lot of money in the process. Many people will even go in debt just to get these types of things. It’s like no matter how much we have, we are never happy. It is a never ending cycle and we just want to get everything that we want.
ReplyDeleteTrading in one car model for the newest is a great example of the treadmill, because so many people do it and don't see a problem with it. Its a norm that doesn't make sense especially if the car they're trading in is relatively new.
DeleteOne particular section of the reading that stuck out to me the most was when the author claimed that, “you are what you buy”. I never realized how accurate this statement was until I started the readings in class which forced me to think about how relevant this is in our society. For some reason, we as a generation have made it so crucial to always have the newest and most popular things. Whether it’s owning the newest technology or wearing a specific brand of clothing, whatever someone buys or wears basically determines who they appear to be. This has gotten so out of hand that people buy things and support things that they don’t actually even truly know about or understand. For example, it has become a common thing for people to wear clothing items with the word “Thrasher” written on them because apparently that’s the thing to do now. The problem with this is that these people only buy and wear these things because it’s suddenly “the move” or because they saw someone that they admire do it. There’s no problem with doing or wearing whatever you want, obviously, but it does show how our society has become so dependent on consumer culture. Social media plays an extremely large role in this as well. It is almost too easy to log into Instagram or Twitter and see new trends or movements and to see people automatically jump onto them. Honestly speaking, it kind of scares me to see how much this has changed our society. It seems like no one is unique these days because everyone basically does the same “different” thing. Hopefully in the future, we won’t be as dependent on the material items we possess and will focus more on the things we truly enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThis reading perfectly encompasses everything that we know but never really think about. From the jeans we wear to the phones we use, it’s all is intertwined in pop culture. It's interesting to me that America who was one a producing nation, is now run almost solely on consumption. When you really think about it, the treadmill of consumption that we are all on had this hold on us that almost deadly. By that I mean, people walk around more concerned about what someone else had and how they can outdo that person than they are with their own lives. We are consumed with having the newest and latest versions of everything, so much so that people will knowingly put themselves in debt and mess up their credit score just to impress others. But at what point do we take a step back and look at what is happening and realize that none of these businesses that we support care if you spend you very last thousand dollars on their product, and the sad part is that none of these ‘extras’ really make us happier. Instead of spending money on things that we eventually discard, spend it on experiences. Research has actually found that the happiest people are not those who spend their money on possessions but on experiences. Take a trip to a country you've never been,or even something as simple to a city or state you've never been. I think if we all make a conscious effort to really think about if the things we buy are for our own satisfaction or to impress those around us…..wait no, scratch that, that's never going to happen because humans are constantly looking for approval.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the fact that we as consumers are willing to put ourselves into debt just to impress others. In the end, we lose ourselves and our money.
DeleteConsumer culture is supreme. Because who would we be if we didn’t have IPhones, Gucci flip flops, and Michael Kors bracelets? We get so focused on having the newest this and the latest that but what is it really doing for us? Not much. Don’t get me wrong sometimes it actually feels good to spoil ourselves. But using up all your money and going into debt just so you can look the wealthiest in the room is a little pointless. For this reason, I have to agree with the what the book said about treadmill consumption. After we are having decent food, a decent place to say, decent clothes on our back, and essentially a minimal and steady life style, the less material things will mean to us. Once that steady level of living is set, the material things just become a competitive game of catch me/ catch up to me if you can. Ultimately no one benefits from it except merchandizers because in reality you are making yourself broke by trying to look rich in order to impress people who probably couldn’t care less if you were wearing a black garbage bag and the 99 cent flip flops from Old Navy.
ReplyDeleteThe most ironic part of me writing this blog post is that I am looking at my iPhone sitting next to my Michael Kors watches as I directly judge others for doing the same thing that I am doing at this very second. I guess this will be a personal lesson for me and maybe for the rest of you on this blog feed because we are all guilty of what we are condemning even if we don’t realize it right away. How many of us have iphones? How many of us have Jordans? How many of us are any happier because we bought these verses a much cheaper android or a pair of Buddies from Walmart? Ahhhh consumerism…
The Treadmill of Consumption is an undeniable part of society. It's prevalent in every society and every class of people. With all of these celebrities being shown wearing the latest fashion, driving the newest cars, and flashing the most expensive jewelry,it's easy to see how we get caught up in the need to continuously buy the most expensive, up-to-date goods. In most cases, people put more value into the reaction and admiration they get from others than into the actual good. I feel that this is most specifically shown in our purchase of cars and smartphones. People will go into debt just for the appearance of wealth. Many people do not necessarily need to have actual wealth; the care more about the outward appearance and are willing to spend money they don't have to keep up this appearance. When it comes to popular culture's role in the treadmill of consumption, it is easy to see how so many people are pressured into this need to appear wealthy. Popular culture is always pushing what's new and popular AT THE MOMENT. Considering how often things change, it seems that people will never be satisfied. There is always a newer car or phone right around the corner leaving us insatiable. No matter how new or expensive our goods are, we are stuck in this never ending cycle of needing the next best thing.
ReplyDeleteYes, i agree that money is mainly the language for today's culture; how much you have and how much you spend.
DeleteI agree that a vast majority of people care way to much about what others think of them. Everyone wants to show off more than they have. I can see this especially being prevalent but an nigh unnoticed thing in our choice of laptops. In college, the MacBook is definately one of those things. There are many people who I know for a fact do not have enough expendable income to have the latest and greatest iPhone, MacBook and Jordans; But they DO have the latest and greatest and it really boggles my mind! I am a very utilitarian minded person and heavily struggle between "bang for buck", practicality, and "expensiveness/current up to date goods".
Delete"Consumption lies at the center of our economic system some two-thirds of our economic activy and the result has been a transformation in the very way we view ourselves"n This is a quote taken right out of our textbook (pg.76) and it underlies the exact reason as to why wwe are constanly bombarded by advertisements. Ads upon ads upon ads upon ads. It was humorous to me today when in class as we were wactching a commercial on youtube their was another commercial before the one we searched up was displayed. It was funny yet annoying that everywhere we look and everywhere we go we are always trying to be sold something. Everyone wants to put a hand in your pocket and take your money. Its subtle and conspicuous at the same time. The companys pay millions of dollars just to have their products displayed. Even at supermarkets such as Walmart, Shooprite, Publix, Kroger's etc. Companys pay a fee to have their product displayed at a certain spot. Every item you see placed in a supermarket was stratigically placed there. This shows the competitiveness that comes with having a brand and trying to keep that brand relevant. We are a consuming nation. Mass production is extremely vital to a consuming nation because to keep a nation of consumers to keep buying and buying you have to make them feel as if what they have is "out of date" or "Old" this is the result of changing the "the very way we view oursleves" Its not far fetched its reality
ReplyDeleteWhile reading the chapter, The Treadmill of Consumption in the book Signs of Life In The USA by Sonia Maasik and Jacks Solomon, the authors mention consuming for status. This is undeniably true in America. The book states that “One important reason that consumers buy products is to satisfy social needs.” (Maasik and Solomon 124). The money we earn is usually spent on new products that can make our lives easier. As well, these products can also build a status for consumers. Buying a Lexus and wearing a Patek Phillippe watch, conveys social status. It’s crazy how we as consumers are willing to go the extra mile in order to receive such expensive products. For example, I would be willing to use my rent money if that would mean I would get the newest Nike shoe at $500. While this is drastic, many other Americans would do the same thing.
ReplyDeleteAdvertisements play a huge role in what we wear, eat and sometimes determine how we live. If Steve Harvey is seen driving a Mazzarri through in sunny California with a beautiful young lady in his passenger seat, we would be more inclined to buy a Mazzarri. The advertisement is trying to say that you could get a hot girl just from the car you ride and you could be just like Steve Harvey. When compared to a no name actor driving a Honda Civic with his wife and family, Honda is indirectly stating that their cars are family friendly. It’s scary that what we buy is somewhat programmed into our minds just by what we see on television. It makes me wonder how far, we as consumers, are willing to go.
The treadmill of consumption is just a cycle of products that we as consumers go through. It is the new norm to buy a new version of something or a better product of a certain something in order to feel like one belongs in society. Celebrities and athletes are always seen in the hottest items and in the flashiest cars, and most regular people are highly influenced by celebrities and athletes. Therefore, those influenced people will try to do what they can in order to become more elite like their fellow role models. I never really thought about how we go through products the way we do, only to keep up with the latest trends. The iPhone 7 will be coming out soon and many people will try to get it just too look cool and to say they have it, but those people will fail to realize that no one really cares. The new iPhone really isn’t much different than the latest iphones, its just a way for Apple to make more money. Companies make us believe that we need their products and that we need the best of that type of products. They try their best to show that their product is the best and the number of sells determines that. However, there are always ways to improve a product and that is exactly why the treadmill exists. A company finds a way to make something seem better, and we as consumers fall for their trick and decide to upgrade.
ReplyDeleteI think it's rather interesting for our society to mainly experience the ad culture that we live in today. Every ad is supposed to be done professionally and everything you see on screen has a meaning or is a sign for something. It's kind of weird if you think about it, ad developers work to turn our desires into necessities without us even realizing it. I like to have my own desires thank you, ads nowadays are becoming annoying, but that's because they're using it as a tactic to draw in more viewers. Something really loud and obnoxious grabs people's attention so that they'll remember it later on when they want the product. Ad developers are really having to dig deep and discover new tactics to draw the audience in. Other than using other celebrities or incentives to buy the product, they now have to break some rules to advertisements. But i suppose that if you want to surprise more people, you have to do more extraordinary things to Bring consumers to your store. Now that the iphone 7 came out, everyone will have to update to the new gen and so on and so forth. The phone is a status symbol that shows how much money you're willing to flaunt around. Just like the new iwatch on one wrist and your rolex on the other. But i don't think people realize it as they're buying and wearing the items. Like does the obligation to cut me off in traffic come with buying the nice car?
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the treadmill of consumption, and our talks about it, I came to realize that during my recent search of buying a new laptop, I was heavily split between heavily utilitarian or being more superfluous with my purchase. This struck me that between my own search a new laptop, todays advertising strategy of technology contrasts heavily with my own personal wants and necessities. I'm currently selling my older (and technically outdated) 3 year laptop but am split between many options such as my long time want of buying a current model Microsoft Surface, although their very expensive, buying a current model of a MacBook Pro, because status, buying a fairly expensive but very utilitarian laptop, or going strictly frugal and maximize bang for buck and go for the cheapest but most useful choice. Computers are different than other purchases and more akin to buying a car in my opinion. This is because not only do they usually last a longer amount of time, but it is also (besides clothes and a car) the thing that people will see you with the most in the current times. Some people love to consume for status, while others live about practicality, others are split between the two. I know that I'm in this cycle because my first laptop was a "stylish gaming laptop" but now since I have little use for it I'm wanting the a category of Ultrabooks, but one with enough power and future proofing. Not only is this sudden need to get a new laptop increasing my desires to only get the "best" or bringing up old ones, it’s also putting a strain on how I see myself with my purchases as a very utilitarian minded person, but also who wants all the luxurious items.
ReplyDeleteThis also brings into the fact of branding, buying a brand is almost synonymous with buying quality in the electronics world. MacBook and Apples have their own brand versus ASUS who can bring both cheap and premium laptops to the forefront, but ones like Acer and Dell have a very mixed bag. Acer is known for being very cheap and Dell has a problem with their reputation and hasn’t had their prestige heightened in a long time. For those who don’t mind much about electronics, they’ll just buy a cheap one not knowing how bad it is and buy it again once their old one breaks; or they’ll go and buy a MacBook because that’s what everyone else is doing. This is pretty much the struggle I have whenever new electronics, particularly computers, come out. I have the want to go get one, but I don’t need it yet. The struggle only heightens when the need is finally there, but the want has only festered into a very annoying “hey you want this, splurge your money on this, you finally have a reason!” mindset while doing my search.
This is a very thorough, well thought-out post!
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