Written by
Before television, companies used the radio and print to advertise whatever they were selling. Certain products were geared towards certain consumer. Because the rich could afford more expensive things, more expensive things were advertised to them and vice versa. This worked because different social classes listened to separate radio stations, read separate magazines ect… Therefore it was rare that a lower class consumer would experience an advertisement that was way out of their price range. Television has blurred all these lines because everyone watches it. Now we are all advertised to in the same way. This creates a want and need to consume. Unfortunately, not all of us can afford it.
It is the advertiser’s job to make to consumer unhappy. If they were unable to that, no one would ever buy anything because they would feel fulfilled. Advertisers must make you feel like there is a void in your life and without their product you cannot fill it. This has created a “spending addiction” in our society.
Products are becoming easier and easier to buy. We can even purchase things on the internet now. Not only that, but we have credit cards!! What a wonderful idea, people spending a ton of money that they don’t have! This creates a vicious cycle of over consuming. Its vicious because we never stop wanting more.
However, we cannot blame the advertising agencies alone. We are also responsible. Instead of being so gluttonous our society needs to embrace frugality. Stop being so weak minded, so easily manipulated! Stop feeding into these huge corporations. Buy what is in your price range. It’s really not that bad. Set a budget for yourself and follow it.
Please don’t misunderstand what I’m trying to say. I recognize that without our consumers our economy would fail however there is a way to support our economy without failing ourselves. Wouldn’t it be nice if it were actually possible for us to live in a capitalist society that did not depend on constant growth?
My point is that we all just need to cut back a little. Stop thriving on the thrill that buying something gives you. Spending, just like drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol can be a dangerous addiction.