The Superficiality of Change
Many consumers are truly addicted to innovation. It is very realistic to assert that the pace which people are updating their gadgets is too frequent. A study by the market-research company Recon Analytics states that “the average American phone is replaced every twenty-two months” (Economist, 2012)[1]. Nevertheless, it is not always essential to be ahead in terms of progress in technology. Although all the media’s efforts focus on convincing patrons that they need another upmarket cell phone, there are many negative impacts that this sociological behavior (an unnecessary consumption of products) can represent. They must be considered as reasons for refusing an upgrade. Environmental consequences, consumer’s psychological control, and financial characteristics are some undesirable effects motivated by the current consumerist society, which will be discussed in the following lines.
Worldwide ecological issues are the results of overwhelming consumption habits that people have been acquiring to improve their quality of life. There is an unconceivable quantity of electronic waste generated daily, in spite of the fact that many industries apply sustainable procedures to widely consumed products in order to minimize the effects that all heavy metals and other hazardous materials can cause to the environment; moreover, it is improbable to control the growth of this amount of waste and to elucidate questions referring to its method of disposal. In addition, the space required to properly discard electronic devices is entirely insufficient, and the accumulation in landfills, undoubtedly, can become an inappropriate measure to contain the volume of trash produced. Therefore, even though the above-mentioned companies might encourage the purchase of their “green products”, it is relevant to observe that there is no real guarantee that all products will end in an environmentally responsive disposal.
Another point raised by the consumers who buy a new gadget every time a new feature, a new version, or the latest design is released is that there is a self-esteem aspect under consideration. Additionally, the status of being up-to-date is rewarding to them; in fact, they have the necessity of parading their new devices. On the other hand, if they do not purchase the latest version available for their gadgets, they can become depressed, as there is the circumstance of being possibly rejected by the social group that they belong to. Likewise, this social behavior might also seriously damage people’s personality, and they can be easily led to make decisions deprived of critical thinking and without considering the importance and the consequences that it may characterize.
Furthermore, there is the financial element regarding the superficiality that changes can interfere in people’s lives. The cost to purchase the newest, most technologically advanced items is also the highest, most expensive. Essentially, all media’s strategy is concentrated in persuasive advertisements which aim to convince individuals that they always need to buy something. However, the aspect that consumers might already have items with the same functionality and that can even last for decades is never raised.
All in all, the exacerbated consumption is pushed by distorted concepts that merely want to persuade consumers to the inconsequent destruction of natural resources, the development of a psychologically affected mentality based on a selfish self-esteem perception, as well as the frenzy of “irresistible” expenditure of money. Consequently, the necessity of an approaching to incorporate ideas that give independence to a defective society and that extricate the thoughts of reckless shopping is indispensable.
[1] Economist, T. (2012, October 16). Recycling mobile phones — Move to recycle bin. Retrieved November 26, 2012: www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2012/10/recycling-mobile-phones.
