Consumerism - the Fall of Civilization as We Know It

 

What is the simple definition of consumerism?

Consumerism is the theory that individuals who consume goods and services in large quantities will be better off. Some economists believe that consumer spending stimulates production and economic growth. Economists view consumption as about fulfilling biological needs & wants based on maximizing utility.

 

 

 

The problem with this is the WASTE it creates and the lack of pride in what is manufactured!

 

First, a hundred years ago things were made to last. The idea was that the item would be handed down for generations. Now, we live in a disposable world where even expensive items barely last a few years and most vehicles will not outlast the finance payments!!!

 

Second, the sheer amount of waste products that consumerism has created is destroying the planet. Very few people reduce, reuse or recycle! We have a literal island of trash floating in the ocean!

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_garbage_patch

 

 

There are other trash patches floating in our oceans, but this one is so large it actually has a name!!!

 

Landfills are also problematic. Many items do NOT biodegrade and will contaminate the ground they are buried in. EVERY landfill is a biohazard site for thousands of years!!!! Every landfill emits METHANE gas - which is why every landfill has venting pipes to keep it from spontaneously exploding!!!

 

People today live by a standard that if it breaks we will just go buy another one. Manufacturers KNOW this and prey upon it with goods that are built to NOT last long. Many are built with substandard parts in sweat shops that utilize child labor or forced labor!

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumerism

 

The only people that benefit from consumerism are those who produce the goods! The people purchasing the goods benefit very little from consumerism.

 

The goal of consumerism is to make the consumer spend ALL of their money on the goods produced and finance what they cannot afford to pay cash for. 

 

Consumerism IS an addiction that has yet to be recognized and treated.

 

 This is a quote direct from Wikipedia ---

"Consumerism is a social and economic order that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts. With the Industrial Revolution, but particularly in the 20th century, mass production led to overproduction—the supply of goods would grow beyond consumer demand, and so manufacturers turned to planned obsolescence and advertising to manipulate consumer spending"

 

Consumerism is DESIGNED to manipulate YOU!!!

 

 

 And it works!!!

 

Don't believe me? Have you ever seen the lines when a new IPhone is being launched? Or the new Playstation? What about Black Friday lines? 

 

 

In a 1955 speech, VP of Ford John Bugas^[8] coined the term consumerism as a substitute for capitalism to better describe the American economy:^[9]

The term consumerism would pin the tag where it actually belongs – on Mr. Consumer, the real boss and beneficiary of the American system. It would pull the rug right out from under our unfriendly critics who have blasted away so long and loud at capitalism. Somehow, I just can't picture them shouting: "Down with the consumers!"^[10]

 

 

 Consumers have been manipulated for so long that they will practically kill each other for goods they have been manipulated into thinking that they cannot live without.

 https://www.destructoid.com/man-stabbed-to-death-over-playstation-still/

 

https://nypost.com/2018/04/03/man-found-bound-shot-to-death-after-trying-to-buy-playstation/

 

https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/06/a-history-of-people-dying-for-iphone/

 

https://www.thedailybeast.com/murdered-for-her-iphone

 

 

 

It is time WE wake up and stop this manipulation that only benefits those producing the goods! We need to take back OUR power and OUR self esteem before it's too late!