The human obsession with having luxuries isn't really that luxurious. When a new iPhone model is out on the market, crazed Apple fans of all ages scramble to the doors of Apple stores. Even though another model isn't very different from the newest and was released very recently, people flock to stores because having the next best thing is all that matters to the buyer. Such luxuries are not necessarily bought for their wonderful functions. They are more like trophies out for display.
People are constantly trying to one up each other and have been doing so for as long as the human species has existed. In the 1920s, young people were taken over by their compulsion to flaunt wealth in any possible way. If the young man living next door had a nice car, it was time to go buy a nicer one; it would also be accessorized with some luxurious(?) car-curtains. Advertisement successfully convinces consumers that they need a product that is not necessarily useful or lasts a substantial period of time. While it is a genius business strategy to harness society's materialistic ways for profit, it keeps the cycle of blind desire turning. With Thanksgiving coming around, it is ironic that on Black Friday, the day immediately following the celebration of being thankful for what they have, people rush to stores to buy the next electronic toy. Although the demand for such luxuries promote innovation, they are not luxuries if people do not appreciate how lucky they are to have them.
That was truly insightful Matilda. I'd never actually considered the irony of Black Friday after Thanksgiving, but I completely agree with people trying to "one-up each other."
ReplyDeleteI agree with your argument about luxuries and how they're used to show off. It's sad that those people hardly know what's different and the amount of significance it holds. I've seen countless people buy the new electric gadget when they can't even use all the features properly half an year later.
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