In the article “Stuff Is Not Salvation,” by Anna Quindlen, she discusses American materialism and the desire to acquire a greater number of things than needed. Quindlen talks about how television commercials have made it possible to purchase unnecessary things. She discusses how American society over-spends and stuck with financial obligation by mass over consumption of products they do not use. She furthermore discusses how America society has fallen into so much financial obligation and that more and more individuals are becoming homeless and losing their employment. She argues that a person in America changes his or her telephone every sixteen months basically in light of the fact that it has gone out of the latest fashion. She then need the America society…
First, Americans are becoming over materialistic because of competition. Source number five, “The New Consumerism”, an essay written by Juliet Schor, explains the concept of competition between Americans, which leads to dangerous effects. In the essay, Schor explains how the American neighborhood led to competition in the middle of the twentieth century. Schor states, “In the 1950’s and 60’s, when Americans were keeping up with the Jones down the street, they typically compared themselves to other households of similar incomes” (Schor ¶ 3). This explains competition because even though each family has similar incomes, the competition to have the same possessions may develop in the neighborhood, even if they don’t need it.…
Correspondingly to Quindlin’s argument over the consumerism and materialism in America, I truly believe that her statements are very accurate. America’s history has played a big role in its consumerism. She mentions in her article that the tragic 9/11 event has left us the mindset the we, as Americans, should contribute to our growing economy by purchasing American products in which it leads to the increasing amounts of consumerism in America. Although the citizens of America believe that by doing so, they are flourishing their economy but in reality, its just doing the opposite. Long term amounts of increased consumerism will lead to inflation due to the fact that the demand for American products is growing faster than the product being made.…
I find my position on this subject to be sympathetic. I imbue personality into personal possessions, especially the cars and trucks I have owned, and after a time, I view them as more than just a mode of transportation. This video was targeted at sympathetic consumers. The automobile holds a special place in the hearts of Americas, it represents our freedom, and is often an outward expression of how we view ourselves.…
Next, the Affluenza is infectious. Once all of people in the world follow the Americans’ life style becoming materialistic, earth is surely out of control and cannot support everything we need. Actually, the earth has been starting become worse and worse, showing in environment.…
Americans talk about themselves in the highest degree a lot of times. Stating they are the greatest at this and the best at that. Americans are very idealistic and truly believe in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as inalienable rights. The American Revolution was really about money because many wealthy colonial merchants and…
Americans will never be satisfied. An unfulfilled black hole of void echoes their stomach. Why does the nation think everything is a necessity? In comparison to other countries, America is by far the greediest. Although Americans may be seen as ambitious, the crave for more of unwanted clutter is disgraceful.…
I agree having the opportunity to be anything you want with hard work and dedication is what makes America great. You mentioned how advertising plays a huge part in our decisions and that true we are easily led to buying the next big thing. It is so easy to get sucked into the latest fad because everyone is doing it or everyone has it. For example, the whole Pokemon game I could believe how people were walking around chasing an imaginary thing. This blew my mind.…
As the economy grew in American and increased wealth of the country and people was greatly increased, which should be considered a good thing, however that starts the downfall of being overly materialistic. In the 50s when people started to have the means to buy cars and televisions, technology had to increase as there is now a demand for more and better things. People start to spend more money on convenience items that get more technical to help the fast pace lifestyle America started to adapt. Maybe being materialist wasn’t an issue back in the 50s as people were still getting accustomed to actually having money, but as society grew the expectations of big and better developed.…
opinion Americans have become very selfish and I am but one in the group. We want land, houses, cars, money, love,…
In society today everything has become disposable and all about how fast we can get there. The fast food mentality has overrun us and the idea that its not about the destination but the journey is getting tossed. We want things now and our sacrificing our morals and values in order to have the immediate satisfaction of whatever is important to our superficial nature.…
Today, America has materialism which is the belief that material possessions improve individual's personal and social well-being permeates America. Even though we have this doesn’t always mean it is good. Many studies has shown that comparing to non-materialism, materialism have lower social and personal well-being unlike place that don’t have materialism. Studies also says that place with materialism can have increased debt, more depression, social anxiety, and many on good things. Even though we have this, it doesn’t mean that other place don’t. Some place have it way worst then what we do and it helps us improve better, but also understanding from it.…
We can tell americans care about conformity more than being their own person because of the present day products. 47% percent of teenagers already have an Iphone while 62% percent of teenagers say they are going to purchase an Apple Iphone for their next phone. 51% said they already owned an apple product such as an ipod, ipad, or mac. (appleinsider.com) If 47% of teens own an Iphone that only leaves 53% to the other smartphones. More people have an Iphone than any other smartphone. This is a perfect example of conformity in America, everyone wants the latest and greatest. Products do not stop at electronics, brand name clothing and accesories. Many of these products are just as well made as other non-brand name products but because of the label on the merchandise not only does the demand go up, but so does the price because there is knowledge that the brand name will bring in more customers.…
Over the past 50 years, the standard of living for American families has doubled. Most of these families live in a two-income household in order to acquire the money needed to live up to these standards (Pierce). This change has enabled Americans to own more material possessions and has also caused them to want even more. It is this concept of "wanting" that is leading to the growing problem of over consumption in America. People are contributing to the problem by eating more and buying more and more "non-essentials" such as TVs, computers, and cars.…
We live in a culture where there are more wants and needs. Growing up in a first world country, most of us take everything for granted.…