Consumerism
Webster's dictionary defines consumerism as "the economic theory that a progressively greater consumption of goods is beneficial." That is essentially the basis of what consumerism was in its early days. The problem with that definition is that the people who practice consumerism today hardly concern themselves with the economical (or ecology, for that matter) implications of their habits. I would argue that the vast majority isn't even aware of the term or the lifestyle's negative affects. Today it has more to do with materialism and over-consumption. Consumerism today can be more accurately defined as an epidemic in which people feel the need to purchase more and more material goods, in an attempt to reach a state of happiness and completeness. Instead, the buying habits they practice become perpetual and routine, and they constantly want more material objects. This lifestyle has proven wasteful of our planets resources and destructive to our ecosystem. In the late 1940s, Americans' spirits were high. We had pulled ourselves out of the Great Depression and the allies had just won World War II. The troops came back home and an incredible amount of them immediately started families. Suburban neighborhoods sprung
These people are left with plenty of material objects but have acquired themselves an unhealthy mental condition. The invention of the television was a breakthrough for the advertising medium. One might think that fewer people were experiencing personal financial problems, when in fact many more were. Through the 1950s, Americans were increasingly seeking a comfortable contention. The lifestyle of consumption had been passed down from generation to generation. This visual stimulation had never before played such a large part in an advertisement's persuasion. The reason for this irregularity was people had been more than ever spending money that they didn't have. Americans are so concerned with maintaining their high standards of living that, when times are tough or projected financial gains fall through, they end up plunging themselves into debt and eventually depression. 5 percent from the year before from 1,117,470 to 1,335,053. The over-consumption caused by consumerism has reached unhealthy proportions. After moving into bigger homes and filling up those two-car garages, many people have invested in self-storage units. Over-consumption has the ability to destroy the planet on which we live. Another problem that faces the modern consumerist is where to put all of their material gains. Few people realize the consequences of the lifestyle they lead.
Common topics in this essay:
Town Square,
War II,
Ford Valdez,
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Yuppies American,
Japan Australia,
Turnoff Week,
SUVs SUVs,
Buy Day,
David Byrne,
percent world's,
percent world's population,
shopping malls,
percent resources,
eighty percent,
world's population,
buy day,
material objects,
voluntary simplicity,
solid waste,
store items,
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Acceptance Essays
