So many people are so concerned with buying the latest fashions, (which are really just fashions from 12 years ago) or how slim their cell phone is that the real problems of society and the world get overlooked. Is it just me, or are we conditioned to think this way?
2006-08-27 05:49:36 · 19 answers · asked by advicemom 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Yes American cultural values that are taught through every contact we have with the media, education and even religion, encourage, even demand, an unquestioning materialism in every citizen. After all, if people stopped consuming, our economy would collapse. You and I are deviant in wondering is this truly the sole meaning of life? No it isn't.
2006-08-27 05:57:11 · answer #1 · answered by a_delphic_oracle 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course we are conditioned to think this way. Money rules the world, and people want status they want to be SEEN, they don't want to be just another rock on the side. So they only know of one way to gain status, they result to buying things to boost their style and their chance to be seen as someone higher then the next person.
Most people are boosting their status to be seen this way, because they are too scared to become 'different'. Being different is scary to a lot of people. They' crave to be 'mainstream' in a sense, they want to be like the ones they idol that they see on tv or hear on the radio. They want their life, and since they cannot have the fame and glamour, they try to be close to it by dressing that way.
Its all a pyschology thing, people are drawn to materialism because they want to be 'popular' or the one people turn to look at and maybe 'be jealous of'
Thats how things are and probably will always be.
Fortunely there are many people that are not materialistic and are more self absorbed with the finer things in life, art and self expression through music, photography, art is what consumes them. Materials are not sought in their world, and therefore they are DIFFERENT, they are UNIQUE and they are not CAUGHT UP IN THE MAINSTREAM ERA.
!
2006-08-27 13:00:24 · answer #2 · answered by pretty_lesbiian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it has. I don't think it's conditioning--that would be conspiracy theory. I think it's partially due to the spirit of Free Enterprise, and partially because it's much more comfortable to worry about fashion and all that than to fret over the real issues in life. Like religion, and politics, and common sense, and what we can actually do to make a difference in this life.
And what is wrong with the human race, anyway? Another subject altogether.
If it bothers you, try to find something you, yourself can do, and don't try to convince anyone else that they should be more concerned with everybody else. It ain't going to happen, and if it did...it would probably be disastrous.
2006-08-27 13:27:29 · answer #3 · answered by kaththea s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe we are an extremely materialistic society. I, personally, am a very materialistic person electronically. I always wanna have the newest gadget if it looks cool to me. We are definitely conditioned that way but I think its part of our inherent nature too. We always want the next best thing!
2006-08-27 13:34:32 · answer #4 · answered by lifesong0622 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
William Wordsworth noted that in a beautiful sonnet from the 1870's:
W. Wordsworth
CCLXXVIII. "The world is too much with us"
THE World is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers:
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon, 5
The winds that will be howling at all hours
And are up-gather'd now like sleeping flowers,
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not.—Great God! I'd rather be
A pagan suckled in a creed outworn,— 10
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.
2006-08-27 12:53:26 · answer #5 · answered by rosends 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. As far as what other people are doing/thinking well, I don't give a crap. Human beings with the exception of a few I have yet to meet, are going in circles with no direction no boundaries no borders and with the anything goes lifestyle.
History repeats itself. Can you say Babylon?
2006-08-27 13:03:41 · answer #6 · answered by areyoukidding 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Life is not too materialistic - people are..think people are never satisfied and want instant gratification in everything now - which makes me think our souls are not fulfilled with the things that are most important - joy, peace, greatfulness for what we do have and a giving heart.
2006-08-27 12:59:26 · answer #7 · answered by cracker 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What ever happened to the days before there was a TV in every room. Where we read books and played outside for fun. I agree, people concentrate on their possessions more than they do life around them.
2006-08-27 13:05:24 · answer #8 · answered by meg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes,
Huge credit card debts
SUV's- useless vehicles in any city or town only useful if you live in a rural and rugged place with poor dirt roads.
even stores like wal mart with tons of cheap crap made in china gives the ignorant and/or stupid a way to be materialistic.
2006-08-27 13:01:51 · answer #9 · answered by hogie0101 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree 100%.
Sorry, would post a longer answer, but I'm on my way to take my toddlers to Marshall Fields to buy them complete winter wardrobes from Ralph Lauren. Have you seen my keys to my Hummer?
Seriously, I do agree with you 100%. I think it's ridiculous!
2006-08-27 13:05:40 · answer #10 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋