Interesting topic and I have to agree that consumerism has definitely played a strong role in the demise of society.

Starting a long time ago advertisers began marketing directly to children. Goods became more expensive, but many parents felt the need to "keep up" (with the proverbial Joneses) - "... But all the other kids have those hundred-dollar sneakers so I can't let junior feel inferior..." This, in part, because parents themselves, many if not most both working, were accumulating more and more "status symbols" (homes. cars. expensive electronics) and feeling as if they needed to "keep up" to not feel inferior. It wasn't anymore about the shared experiences of a family, but of the accumulated wealth.

Kids were then inculcated into this mindset from a very early age. Watching the whole Apple iPhone circus year-after-year, people with perfectly good phones lining up to get the next great release, always struck me as a bizarre ritual. The year's top Christmas toy became a rabid obsession for many. The nearly animalistic frenzy on Black Friday of shoppers fighting to get their discounted goods.

All of this and so much more needs to be documented for future generations to learn from these mistakes. God willing, if and when we get through this to the other side and have a much healthier society, we can't forget what occurred during the past fifty years (and more).

Interesting topic and I have to agree that consumerism has definitely played a strong role in the demise of society.

Starting a long time ago advertisers began marketing directly to children. Goods became more expensive, but many parents felt the need to "keep up" (with the proverbial Joneses) - "... But all the other kids have those hundred-dollar sneakers so I can't let junior feel inferior..." This, in part. because parents themselves, many if not most both working, were accumulating more and more "status symbols" (homes. cars. expensive electronics) and feeling as if they needed to "keep up" to not feel inferior. It wasn't anymore about the shared experiences of a family, but of the accumulated wealth.

Kids were then inculcated into this mindset from a very early age. Watching the whole Apple iPhone circus year-after-year, people with perfectly good phones lining up to get the next great release, always struck me as a bizarre ritual. The year's top Christmas toy became a rabid obsession for many. The nearly animalistic frenzy on Black Friday of shoppers fighting to get their discounted goods.

All of this and so much more needs to be documented for future generations to learn from these mistakes. God willing, if and when we get through this to the other side and have a much healthier society, we can't forget what occurred during the past fifty years (and more).