Consumerism

Over the years I have always heard a lot of talk about Black Friday shopping but I have never really put much though into it or looked it up until recently and what I saw was appalling. To think that people can be this inhumane about shopping is actually disgusting. There are many people all over the world that do not have enough money to put food on their table and these people on Black Friday basically kill each other over MATERIAL goods. Something just does not add up here, society goes to some deep lows at times but this is actually out of control and I realize that this is all about consumerism and making the economy some money but there should be a little bit of balance here. It is amazing and scary to see the lengths that some people will go to buy something that is not even a necessity merely because it is on sale.

Another baffling part about all of this is that Black Friday is right after Thanksgiving, sounds a little ironic to me. Giving thanks for everything you have and enjoying the time with friends and family and then days later risking your life to buy some things that have been placed on sale. Consumerism really knows how to get to people because Black Friday has been a hit for years and it does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. All of these major holidays have lost their spark; they use to be about family and appreciating what you have. But because of consumerism these fun traditional holidays are now induced with stress and debt. Do not get me wrong, giving is one of the most amazing feelings in the world but it feels so much better when there is not the added stress of getting the perfect gift that is up to date and like no other.

Gone are the days where you can give someone something from the heart or make something for them, now you have to shop for hours on end finding the newest piece of technology or the most expensive toy. The meaning of gifting has been completely lost within consumerism, I am sure old Saint Nick never thought that Christmas would blow into full force mayhem. I believe that the media and newer technology are the leading problems when it comes to consumerism, without these two sources I believe that consumerism would certainly not be where it is today. The media advertises and persuades people into buying things that they do not need and the internet makes it easier to purchase things and it also acts as an advertisment board. The internet also makes it easier to compare what you have with other people and brag about what you have on social networking sites, which in response will also make you want to buy newer and better material goods.