Consumerism/Advertising and Popular Culture, Pt. 1

Consumer

• Do you consider yourself a consumer?
• Yes or no? Why/why not?

consumerism - definitions

• 1. "a modern movement for the protection of the consumer against useless, inferior, or dangerous products, misleading advertising, unfair pricing, etc."
• (Dictionary.com. 2024)

consumerism - definitionS

• 2. "the concept that an ever-expanding consumption of goods is advantageous to the economy.
• (Dictionary.com, 2024)

Commodity/commodify

• "an article of trade or commerce, especially a product as distinguished from a service." (Dictionary.com, 2024)
• something that can be bought or sold

Commodity/commodify

• "to turn into a commodity; make commercial." (Dictionary.com, 2024)
• something that is TURNED into a product that can be bought or sold

But are you a consumer?

• Do you buy things then use (or consume) them? Why/why not?
• Do think we waste a lot of what we buy/consume?

Ownership

• How important/not is it for you to have/own things? Why/why not?
• Are you obsessive about owning things (hoard)?

critical thinking question

• Do you feel that you are being constantly marketed to? (told to buy something) Why/why not?
• Does this pressure you to buy things? Why/why not?

critical thinking question

• Be honest: do you feel you buy things more from wants than needs--or the opposite? Why?

Questions? Consumerism/Advertising and Popular Culture, Pt. 1