The World nowadays is plenty of problems. Pollution, war, racism, hunger are just a few of them. But one of the worst and most common in our developed society is surely consumerism. Some people have problems distinguishing consumerism and consumption. Consumerism happens when people purchase goods which they don’t really need, while consumption is the opposite: buying products which are vital. In my opinion, this is the main reason of consumerism – they aren’t aware they’re spending on extra things. When people are doing this, they often find they’re acquiring products they need. The way I see it is that people are the only responsible for consumerism. They’re the ones who choose their actions, and should act rationally towards consumption instead of consumerism. Some say it’s all media's fault. It’s quite true that it helps to influence people, but I find it not enough. The last words are always ours. Avoiding consumerism won’t just be economically profitable but also good for the environment. The less you consume, the less it will be wasted. And the less the production, the less the pollution in our planet. Everyone should concern their acts and make a clear reflection: Are you acting correctly? If you want to contribute to solve our global problems, take the first step – buy less. Quoting Gandhi, the great Indian spiritual leader, “there is enough on Earth for everybody’s need, but not for everyone’s greed”.
Consumerism is a problem which affects most of our society nowadays, and I believe we should do what we can to try and change this situation.
People affected by consumerism are the ones that believe that the more you buy, the happier you will be. It should be considered a disease, because no one in their right mind would believe that. Normally, this is caused by the need to simply spend money and buy things you do not really need, just to “keep up with the Joneses”. Our society makes them believe that people should be standardized. But, in reality, our differences are what make us unique.
We should not be spending money on material objects, because in the end, it all goes away. Do you think a doctor will be prouder of the first car he bought or the first life he saved? Does a mother appreciate the cradle more than she appreciates her child? And do you really think a teenager will remember his first leather jacket instead of his first kiss? Those were all rhetorical questions, because you all know you cannot put a price tag on moments like those. Sure, everyone likes to buy something nice to feel good once in a while. And that is perfectly fine.
But remember, it won’t bring you true happiness. Have you ever heard the expression “you are what you do”? Exactly, it does not go “you are what you buy”. Keep that in mind.
Take the first step!
ReplyDeleteThe World nowadays is plenty of problems. Pollution, war, racism, hunger are just a few of them. But one of the worst and most common in our developed society is surely consumerism.
Some people have problems distinguishing consumerism and consumption. Consumerism happens when people purchase goods which they don’t really need, while consumption is the opposite: buying products which are vital. In my opinion, this is the main reason of consumerism – they aren’t aware they’re spending on extra things. When people are doing this, they often find they’re acquiring products they need.
The way I see it is that people are the only responsible for consumerism. They’re the ones who choose their actions, and should act rationally towards consumption instead of consumerism. Some say it’s all media's fault. It’s quite true that it helps to influence people, but I find it not enough. The last words are always ours.
Avoiding consumerism won’t just be economically profitable but also good for the environment. The less you consume, the less it will be wasted. And the less the production, the less the pollution in our planet.
Everyone should concern their acts and make a clear reflection: Are you acting correctly? If you want to contribute to solve our global problems, take the first step – buy less. Quoting Gandhi, the great Indian spiritual leader, “there is enough on Earth for everybody’s need, but not for everyone’s greed”.
Francisco Xavier - 11º10 (2009/2010)
Consumerism is a problem which affects most of our society nowadays, and I believe we should do what we can to try and change this situation.
ReplyDeletePeople affected by consumerism are the ones that believe that the more you buy, the happier you will be. It should be considered a disease, because no one in their right mind would believe that. Normally, this is caused by the need to simply spend money and buy things you do not really need, just to “keep up with the Joneses”. Our society makes them believe that people should be standardized. But, in reality, our differences are what make us unique.
We should not be spending money on material objects, because in the end, it all goes away. Do you think a doctor will be prouder of the first car he bought or the first life he saved? Does a mother appreciate the cradle more than she appreciates her child? And do you really think a teenager will remember his first leather jacket instead of his first kiss? Those were all rhetorical questions, because you all know you cannot put a price tag on moments like those.
Sure, everyone likes to buy something nice to feel good once in a while. And that is perfectly fine.
But remember, it won’t bring you true happiness. Have you ever heard the expression “you are what you do”? Exactly, it does not go “you are what you buy”. Keep that in mind.
Carlos Fernandes 11º6 (2009/2010)