Post 5: Consumption

From which perspective of consumption is more prevalent, needing or wanting? New Keywords states that early usage of "consume" in the 14th century signaled destruction, exhaustion and waste. Presently, the economical analogy between producers and consumers, where consumers purchase products developed by producers, represent the neutral or positive consumption. In addition, consumption may apply to what living organisms do every day: eating. Furthermore, before discussing "consumption" in class today, I always thought of the word representing food. However, after Smaill informed the class of his pessimistic insight, I also began to perceive "consumption" from a negative point of view.

Below is a clip from Smallville, where Clark attempts to save a drunk Santa Claus. I have included the times that are significant to this argument:
0:00-2:03
5:54-end.



How does this tie in with consumption? Santa is disappointed in the world because “it’s all take take take, bitch bitch bitch.” He is implying that people are thinking about what they want and complaining if they do not get it. Likewise, humans have become narrow-minded in desiring the best of everything and not giving back to the world. Humans have become engrossed in consumption for their own desires and not for their own needs. The last minute of the clip is the conclusion of the scene, where Santa realizes that “the spirit of Christmas isn’t dead after all” because there are some, like Clark, who sacrifice their own desires to help others. In addition, Smallville uses peaceful music and special effects to add emotion and excitement to the scene. These elements supplement the viewers to help them understand what Santa is trying to say and how he changes his perspective of the world.

I also believe that the world today is focused more on what people want as opposed to what people need. For instance, in class we talked about televisions. At one point in time, a person who owns a 30' flat screen would be of "high class." However, a few years later, owning that same flat screen would become embarrassing because others may have larger and more "advanced" televisions, such as 70' HD TVs. Yet, is it necessary to be able to see every single bit of detail on TV? Isn't a TV that is moderately viewable good enough?

Another example would be purchasing hybrid cars. I was talking to my friends once when I casually brought up my desire to own a hybrid car. They were in shock. Why? Their reason was that hybrid cars are not stylish. I retaliated by indicating that a hybrid would produce less carbon byproducts and that it would help me save money. Again, they smirked and said that they were not worried about global warming and the costs of a gasoline-powered car.

These are just a couple of examples that blatantly depict that people are more considered for the superficial than the beneficial. On the flip side, humans are programmed to take care of themselves and to appeal to others - no one is perfect. We all want to have the good things and the things that others have. Similarly, mankind wants to continue to develop technology and make new discoveries (which is not necessarily bad), but the "wants" generally outnumber the "needs." Hence, the combination of these factors ultimately leads to the negative connotation of "consumption," or the "wanting" of the best of everything.