Journal / Be a Good Consumer

Be a Good Consumer

nehal : Dec 9, 2008

I found this over at Get Rich Slowly the other day:

It’s a video published by Bonfire of the Brands, a book and website dedicated to speaking out against consumption for consumption’s sake. The video is made in a propaganda style, telling the viewer to consumer more, buy things you want, don’t fix things; just replace them, follow fashion, and buying more means you can recycle more.

I’ve always had the nagging feeling that I’m a good consumer (not in a positive way) because I have acted on a lot of wants, even though nearly all of my needs are taken care of. I feel a little rush of endorphins when click the 'Add to Shopping Cart’ button or when I buy a shiny new toy at the store. This also takes me back to the Story of Stuff which also focuses on the environmental impacts of our consumption-based culture.

The key here is understanding the psychology of consumption and realize when we are being manipulated. “Do I really need a new computer? Not likely, but I want it.” It’s a learning process, and I am getting better about it. I’m really looking more closely at whether something I want to buy is a need vs. a want and avoid buying something that is just a 'want’.