Many people will probably agree with me that we, the human being, can live without many things in life, we will still live happily and comfortably because most of those things are not a necessity in our life. We need clean air, food, water, and a safe shelther. We need reliable transportation, effective education, and affortable healthcare. These are necessities. Then we think about entertainment and better quality of life. The key point is "What is a better quality of life?"

We are told that we shall need a lot of things to increase our quality of life. We no longer jsut need all those basic items. Now we need to feel good, feel important, feel respected. That is for boosting our self-esteem.

However, there are things we can live without yet are spawning like disease, and those things are getting ever more popular and wanted. We the consumers are spending more money on those "must-have" gadgets and on those feel-good services.  Those business exist because there is a need for it. They becomes necessities.

Corporations pour in billions of dollars for marketing campaigns. Advertistment is omnipresence. We have no place to hide. We are bombarded by consumption messages every minutes and where. Look at all those advertistment on the Internet on the TV, no all media, on the wall, at every street corners. We are brainwashed and we are conditioned to spend. Spend. And spend more everyone. You'll feel good. 

Besides, our economy is depending on consumption to make a living. No developed country can survive without consumption. It is a vicious cycle. We are part of it. The government and the market encourage everyone to spend. If not so, then our economy will certainly go sinking. The market needs consumers. The more people consume, the more people will benefit. This is how today's world operates.  We need to spend $$$ in order to contribute to our enconomy. We depend on consumption.

One must have to be living in space in order to avoid consumption temptations.  In my opinion, we should be less wasteful and conserve more.  Therefore, I will not consume those gadgets I do not need. Consumption should not be encouraged. As I am living in space so I do not spend. I also believe what I think and whether I spend or not do not matter.  However, I just do what I think is correct. The topic on what have driven people to consume is worth thinking and talking about. I know there are many folks out there thinking, writing, and talking about this phenomenon. I'm not alone.

What I can do is to educate my son to understand the differences between necessity and luxury. What is a nice to have and what is junk. At least my son will be less polluted by the consumption temptations so he will not fall into the consumption traps.
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- Written by Miaomiao Mia. © 2010 Miaomiao Mia. All Rights Reserved.

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