Hey everyone,

here's an article I wrote in my weekly newspaper column, what do you all think about comsumerism and its affect on society??

By: Joshua Murphy
Every day Americans are bombarded with thousands of advertisements everyday. Advertisements on television, in our newspapers, magazines, buses, and many more avenues. The objects of life surround human beings, as we know it. Everything from new high tech electronics to futuristic cars, all of which are said to make our lives easier, more fun, and unique. We are no longer to seek out other individuals and spirituality as the great filler of our void of sadness, emptiness, and boredom; corporate America has now been the ultimate maker of all things that are to be our fillers. We are told from day one we can't be apart of this consumer society or ownership society without credit or the collateral to back up what we dream to have. Everything we buy or dream of having is attached to something greater. Just to buy a cell phone, or a new bed, the individual must have the perfect rating and deemed a good consumer. We are all rewarded for spending as much money as possible on everything from airline tickets to movie rentals. Most people don't stop to think about the idea of consumerism and what it entails for the future of our country. Consumerism or ownership societies are two relative terms. They both entail the belief that we as consumers are to own a piece of our country, rather it be in stocks, health insurance, or even our own retirement, but the truth of the matter is the only people who truly benefit from a consumer society is corporate America. It aims to push away government from protecting and intervening in the guaranteed rights of individuals to have a financially secure retirement, access to affordable health care, and social rights. American's should not be thrown out into the cold due to the increasing effects of corporate America and consumerism. Just speaking from a college students perspective; we're doing everything our society expects us to do-we're attending college, getting tons of loans, and working tremendous hours in school to help the economy, and once we're out in the real world and job market, we are even farther behind because the great amount of debt. Shouldn't the government be rewarding students who work hard to attend college? It's almost a crime and a hassle for any student in today's society to attend college. Huge tuition increases, with a lack of federal Pell grants has left the future of our higher educational system in limbo. But this is what the vision of a consumer/ownership society is all about. Place the burden of debt on the American people and let them figure it out, increase the profits and power of corporations in hopes that they will increase the idea of consumerism and improve the economy, but in reality it will only further the debt of the people and place more money into the pockets of those who are already well off. According to MyVesta.org the amount of credit card and unsecured debt rose by over 50% in 2003 and mortgage debt was up by almost 25% in the same time period. More people are using credit cards now as way to survive, instead of their original use for emergency expenses. Americans must not allow the increased influence of debt and consumerism to take control of our society, because in the end we all lose.

http://www.youthspeak.blogspot.com
Author of "Writings From a Teenage Mind"
Which can be purchased from amazon.com and other fine online book stores.

yes it is.

Hi Crush. Welcome to YN. When posting on threads, you might want to notice the date that they were last posted on. You can find this by looking in the top right corner of the last post, and you will see the exact time the message was posted. If the thread has not been posted on in a while, such as this one, there is a good chance you will not get a response to your post, especially if you are talking directly to someone. Well, I hope you enjoy YN!

I totally agree with this post futurepres2.

I would just like to make note that pressure of the press, in my opinion, does make an impact on society and helps motivate us, as the consumer, on major corporations to buy their product. We are their pawns! It's almost not fair.

I notice that that's your first post on this board. Welcome on board!

There isn't much altruism in places like Sudan and Iraq because there isn't much for those people to give. Also, most of the cruelty in such countries comes from tyrants at the top of the government, not the actual people. I'm sure if you ever need a place to stay, and you act humble enough, the Sudanese and the Iraqis won't mind giving you a place for a short time!

How were the people in China meaner? I've heard some nasty things about NYC!

For comparison, I present Paris. I was with a group of about a dozen kids my age, along with 6 adults. When we crossed the street, my group (and other Americans) would always go ahead, cutting other people off. The French youth, however, had some order to their line; they weren't the ones cutting ahead, and they paid special attention to the elderly. This theme repeated in Nice, Biarritz, Madrid, Barcelona, London, etc.

Also, clerks at stores were much more accomodating to people who didn't speak their own languages than many clerks I've seen in the U.S. I know there are many compassionate people in the U.S., but as a culture we tend to believe that "God helps those who help themselves."

Consider this: During my recent visit to my homeland, China, I realized that the atmosphere in a large Chinese city, like Shanghai, whose economic influence is equal to that of New York City, my current home, people there are much meaner than those in places like NYC. They think only of themselves because, the fact is, living conditions in China are exponentially worse than those in America.

I disagree, iankinzel. Compared to those in other countries, the American people are much more compassionate and caring because of their better financial circumstances. Just because we value our riches does not mean that we do not value each other. Advertisements endorse shoes and cell phones because there is no need to advertise things like compassion. That quality can be found in ourselves, and as Americans, we are fortunate enough, due to the success of our "consumer's society", to indulge that quality. There are not many philanthropists in places like Sudan and Iraq. Altruism is a part of the American style, even if it is due to the comfort we enjoy because of our money-oriented society.

Hey Iankinzel:

I completely agree with you and what's even sadder is that companies are now going after kids more than ever before and parents aren't do anything to stop it.

Peace,

Josh M.

Oh, consumerism is definitely destroying the U.S. Consumerism has created a culture of egocentric materialism: we value things over people, and we as a people tend only to think of ourselves and not eachother.