Free Essays on Materialism

Materialism Materialism what do you think it is?We all know that materialism is what a person wants not what he needs.Materialism also is the standards that other people see that we think we haveto live by. As Webster’s Dictionary state, materialism is a theory thatphysical matter is only fundamental reality. Americans are very materialistic.Because our society is so materialistic, people can be hurt, and ashamed of howthey dress. Materialism in our society can also be costly. If we took a secondand looked at our society we would be able to see that our society is verymaterialistic. We are very concerned with differentname brands such as Polo, Tommy, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Kline, Fubu, Nautica,Nike, Adidias and the list could go on and on. We see the different stars ontelevision, in movies, commercials, and magazines or on stages. Whether theyare actors, actress, singers, models we all look at the clothing they wear andthink that this is what must be fashionable acceptable in our society. We letthese people set what we are going to wear and buy, since when did they decidehow we spend our hard earned money. If an actor/actress can afford an item ofclothing, does that mean that we have to buy that item to be like them? If westop to think for a minute, yes Michael Jordan was a very good basketballplayer, but does that mean we have to buy some hundred-dollar shoes becausethey have his name on it? Others of us might recall the Fubu commercial. Theones with LL Cool J’s (rapper/actor) they may be his line of clothing that heis promoting so us the consu ! mer looks at that and thinks well if LL is wearingthat then I want to be like him. Now Sean â€Å"Puffy† comps is a great rapper, butdoes that mean we have to buy his line of clothing? Calvin Kline what did he dothat was so great that make every one what to wear his clothing? We may bethinking that these sounds exactly like us or we may think what is she talkingabout... Free Essays on Materialism Free Essays on Materialism What Advertisements Don’t Tell You in Their Ads materialism (m -tà ®r - -l z m) n. 1. The theory or attitude that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life. Advertising generates new needs and establishes brand loyalties. Ads alert people to both new products and new versions of old ones. Consumption today is not only about keeping up with the Joneses. The labels you wear, the food you eat, the restaurants you frequent, the haircut you flaunt, where you go on holiday, even your spiritual cravings are social symbols. What is happening to the average man, the man who is caught in the web of a consumerist and materialistic culture with all the temptations it offers him? The general scenario is one of utter helplessness and nobody seems to have any control over his future. Added to this is the acquisitive tendency of those who are tempted to go for all kinds of things the market offers. A kind of insatiable greed seems to have taken control of all of us and no effort is being made anywhere to limit one’s wants. And this has become a global phenomenon and no country seems to be free from it. Thus the average man finds himself to be tr ! uly at a crossroads of utter despair and helplessness. He is swept away by the mighty waves of an all-pervading materialism and consumerism. Economic well-being appears to be the sole purpose of life and the manner in which value systems are being trampled upon raises the big question: Where are we headed? In the car ad included we see the car in all of its glory. What we do not see is how the car was made, who made it, and most importantly what sort of emissions it puts out. Contrary to popular belief that societal unawareness has paved our way to environmental catastrophe; advertising deliberately avoids showing the environmental consequences of a consumer society. Take for instance the Volks Wagon ad. When you look ... Free Essays on Materialism Materialism Materialism what do you think it is?We all know that materialism is what a person wants not what he needs.Materialism also is the standards that other people see that we think we haveto live by. As Webster’s Dictionary state, materialism is a theory thatphysical matter is only fundamental reality. Americans are very materialistic.Because our society is so materialistic, people can be hurt, and ashamed of howthey dress. Materialism in our society can also be costly. If we took a secondand looked at our society we would be able to see that our society is verymaterialistic. We are very concerned with differentname brands such as Polo, Tommy, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Kline, Fubu, Nautica,Nike, Adidias and the list could go on and on. We see the different stars ontelevision, in movies, commercials, and magazines or on stages. Whether theyare actors, actress, singers, models we all look at the clothing they wear andthink that this is what must be fashionable acceptable in our society. We letthese people set what we are going to wear and buy, since when did they decidehow we spend our hard earned money. If an actor/actress can afford an item ofclothing, does that mean that we have to buy that item to be like them? If westop to think for a minute, yes Michael Jordan was a very good basketballplayer, but does that mean we have to buy some hundred-dollar shoes becausethey have his name on it? Others of us might recall the Fubu commercial. Theones with LL Cool J’s (rapper/actor) they may be his line of clothing that heis promoting so us the consu ! mer looks at that and thinks well if LL is wearingthat then I want to be like him. Now Sean â€Å"Puffy† comps is a great rapper, butdoes that mean we have to buy his line of clothing? Calvin Kline what did he dothat was so great that make every one what to wear his clothing? We may bethinking that these sounds exactly like us or we may think what is she talkingabout... Free Essays on Materialism (Topic) The view taken by Lewis Lapham of â€Å"the American faith in money† meticulously identifies the covetous sentiment shared by our people. (Tell #1) Since the formation of this nation, Americans have been materialistic. (Show #1) Henry Adams observed how â€Å"deflected by the pursuit of money† the Americans were. (Mean #1) We have slowly altered our course in life to focus on achieving great riches, although these will only remain a dream for most. (Tell #2) The American people attempt to use their wealth to prove their â€Å"worth† to others and themselves. (Show #2) The philosophy, â€Å"the visible signs of wealth testify to an inward state of grace† or success, epitomizes the doctrines of the American people. (Mean #3) By ostentatiously displaying our tangible assets, we assume that other people will conclude we are happy and successful because we own so much. (Tell #3) Citizens of other countries largely have not had the same op portunities as Americans. They defer to values in â€Å"family, religion, honor, intellect, and social class†. (Show #3) The beauty of the Constitution and founding principles of America were to have a diverse society, where people with different ideas and beliefs could harmoniously live together. Therefore, we do not all have a consensual system to pass judgment on, so we turn to the obvious source of unity: money. In this land of opportunity, a clever person can build a fortune from scratch, in the past, through oil corporations and railroads, in the present, through Internet companies. We have faith in money, because we believe that to achieve that level of affluence, the individual must be intelligent, shrewd, astute, and witty along with dozens of other favorable and cherished characteristics. Money is an integral part of our lives because with it we associate the same connotations that the English do to a name; the Germans, a university degree; or the Soviets, po litical power. ...