Consumer Culture
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Consumer Culture
| Wed, 03-29-2006 - 1:23am |
Hi, I just read an article on American consumption and wanted to share some highlights with you all. Nothing that any of us does not know, but still a good reminder for me personally. It discusses how American economy transformed from a producer to a consumer economy. People are constantly being pushed to buy more stuff as opposed to economies like Japan's that emphasizes production. To get consumers to keep buying all the new stuff, advertisers have to convince them that the stuff they already have are out of style. Fashion designers completely redesign their lines each year for this purpose, and car manufacturers change colors and body shapes almost every year. It is to be noted that the new designs aren't just functional improvements although they are advertised as such. They encourage you to go out a replace what you already have to avoid appearing out of fashion.
Anyway, just wanted to share this with you since awareness helps resist the temptation of buying more stuff. In addition, I saw an art project on our campus consisting of various packaging materials such as juice cartons and empty bottles. This art project was called "buy more, waste more". Here is another reason to resist shopping--save the environment by using and reusing what you already have.
Anyway, just wanted to share this with you since awareness helps resist the temptation of buying more stuff. In addition, I saw an art project on our campus consisting of various packaging materials such as juice cartons and empty bottles. This art project was called "buy more, waste more". Here is another reason to resist shopping--save the environment by using and reusing what you already have.

All my best,
Danni
What a great reminder!!
My husband is in the market for a new cell phone and I KNOW he will try to convince me that I need a new one, too!