What is consumerism? Is consumerism legit? Are they possible dangers that accompany consumerism? I'd be discussing this and many more in this post.
What is consumerism?
There are about five different definitions of consumerism and most of these definitions contrast with each other. For today, I'd be discussing consumerism in relation to high level of consumption.
Consumerism is a cultural model that promotes the acquisition of goods, and especially the purchase of goods, as a vehicle for personal satisfaction and economic stimulation.
Source
This is a topic that would interest those living a simple lifestyle and minimalists too because consumerism kicks against their beliefs. Simple living means living without complexities while minimalism is about reducing the number of things that you own to the minimum. These two sets of people would strongly kick against consumerism because it doesn't sit right with them.
Do you know anyone who likes to follow trends or who purchases items in a bid to help improve their social life? Then you know a consumerist.
Consumerist are people who purchase items to help their social life (social status). They are people who are defined by what they own and not who they truly are. With this breakdown, we could admit that at some point in our lives, we have practised consumerism even if on a very low level.
I'm still attached to wrist watches, but not G-Shock
This reminds me of the time I was obsessed with digital wrist watches, in high school. I got the regular wrist watch and when I saw that everyone was wearing that type, I aimed for a higher brand.
Till I graduated from highschool, no one else had the same wristwatch and as such, my social status was boosted a bit. Whenever "G-Shock girl" was mentioned, they knew it was me.
The fact is that other people wore G-Shock wrist watches but nobody had beat my quota in the "G-Shock wrist watch world"
A very common example of consumerism are the elites in the society. When you step into the house of an elite, it would feel as if you just stepped into a different world because the difference would be clear!
Many elites in the world practise consumerism and more often than not, they outrightly let you know. More like, they rub it on your face.
A scenario could be:
You step into their house and they point to their car, tell you how much it costs and tell you how rare it is. You're offered coffee inside the house and they tell you that the cup you're drinking from is found in only three places in the world and their house being one of them.
I hope we're all on the same page?
Is it legit?
A large number of people see consumerism as illegitimate because they can't wrap their fingers around the reason why people would want to spend a fortune on something so meagre and sometimes useless. Research has it that people living simple lives and minimalists are on the top of the consumerists-criticism-list and that's not a shocker or is it?.
Consumerism plays a role in modern democratic countries that have mixed economies like the US, England, Canada, France, etc . This list of countries keeps increasing each day based on the increase in the level of education and standard of living of the citizens.
Personally, I think consumerism is legit, even though I would choose simple living any day, any time. You can't sit around and detect what people would do with their money. It's their money and they are very free to show it off. If purchasing high priced goods/ purchasing goods in large numbers could boost their satisfaction, then let them be.
To be very practical, no one has the right to stand against your satisfaction nor do you have the right to detect other people's means of satisfaction.
Dangers of consumerism
This is where the twist comes in. Even though I don't kick against consumerism, I would daringly kick against the effects that it has on the environment.
Consumerism lead to depletion of the natural resources and pollution of the environment.
No one needs a soothsayer to tell them that with the high demand of certain products comes aggressive harnessing of natural resources. Most of these products purchased by "consumerists" don't come easy. One could literally have to go to the ends of the earth before they could get raw materials to make these products. Then imagine if the consumerist requests for more than one of the products.
I know about two popular demonstrations that kicked against consumerism:
- The "Buy nothing day" demonstration in San Francisco, November 2000
- "Shop till you drop" London.
In conclusion, consumerism is legit but when practised too much, it becomes spurious and illegitimate.
Disclaimer
In this article, I'm not trying to impose my views about consumerism on anyone but trying to give a layman's description of the term consumerism and its effects. I do hope that I didn't end up confusing you the more😅
This is my response to @galenkp's weekend engagement prompt.
All images used above are mine and were taken with my mobile device
Thank you for your time
With love, wongi ✨
https://leofinance.io/threads/@wongi/re-leothreads-2p5sp4vbm
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You've made a good point on consumerism what your view. with your explanation, I guess people get involve in this act because they want to show they are greater than anyone and will always want to standout. As far those things they use are gotten in a legit way,they are free to use their money, another effect is can cause to our society is that other people will feel intimidated and this where competition comes in.
However, that kind of lifestyle can not affect a minimalist, because they will always want to get what's important to them.
It's nice reading from you.
Intimidation comes in along the line, but not everyone gets pressured by others; the minimalists for example.
I'm glad you properly understood my perspective on Consumerism.
I really appreciate your stopping by. Thank you✨
That's nothing but the truth, minimalist can't be in that category.
It's a pleasure to come around and your view is well understood
Do have a great day dear✨
I observed that people who do this are those who have inflated egos, lol! Really rich ones do not act like that, well at least based on my experience meeting some.
"Inflated ego" is the right word to describe this set of people. Most of the things they tell people are not actually not necessary, but still, they keep going on and on.
Yes. It's amusing (and turns me off) when people do that.
I thought I was the only one that got instant turn offs in situations like that.
We're definitely on the same page. Consumerism is really wasteful to the environment as most of the things that are consumed aren't necessarily out of need. It's this insatiable desire that never gets quenched.
Exactly. This brings us to the fact that humans desires are really insatiable, the yearning never ends.
Thanks for stopping by ✨
It is said that this yearning is not of a physical nature that's why it couldn't be filled with material possessions.
You're most welcome :)
It's not of a physical nature? How so?
It's of a spiritual nature that's why these material wants and needs to satisfy it. Like trying to put a square in a circle, it just never fits.
Oh..so it's more spiritual than physical... amazing.
So......you told me to come and see this because I struck you as a consumerist. Best, this friendship is over!😂
Anyways, I do love living well but I've been in very terrible points in life so whether I like it or not, I know and appreciate the benefits of living simply. And yeah, you and I have come across that "I'm the only one that has this in the world" type of people, of which you know.
I had mixed feelings reading this. But mainly cause I was accused sha.😗
Best.. do you have prove😂. We all have been at some point 🌝
I love you too✨😂
Laugh while you can!😂
Threats😂
The funny pet is most of them do not know how most of the products they want are made... It's just the idea of standing out and owning what no one else has.
Exactly. They don't know how the resources come about and they end up contributing to the depletion of these resources.
I think I was more interested in the your face reveal, now I need to go back and read this again
Hehehe 😂😂. The picture barely showed my face. The world isn't ready to see it yet🌝
Lol...I see
Yeah yeah
Thank you for stopping by dear @czander . It's a good habit not to follow trends because they could make someone go Gaga.
I hope you're having a blissful day?✨
You're very much welcome ✨