American Consumer Culture

Americans constitute the greatest consumer culture on the face of the earth. Through scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements, the human life has become easier and more lavish. Today, we are healthier and more enlightened than ever, and this higher standard of living has brought about a substantial increase in material goods in our society. Despite having these goods and a relatively better human experience, we are unhappy and face adversities such as depression and anxiety. We must realize that in order to regain a true sense of self, there must be a reduction to excess consumption and an understanding of how our consequential spending has had an adverse affect on the state of our society as a whole. We live in an age of mass production where every habitual item is readily accessible to us through our shops and retailers. We have become disconnected to the items that have become all-important to our lives such as processed foods, clothing, and smartphones. Rarely do we anticipate about the accomplishments of the articles we use. We accept little to do with the assembly with our necessary products, taking for granted how these goods end up in our homes. This dismissal of the Chinese textile workers who …show more content…
Through the human experience, it is apparent that an activity feels more fulfilling in the bearing rather than just the using. An active person who harvests their own fruits and vegetables in their small urban garden feels a sense of participatory fulfillment that contrasts to the dispassion that the average American consumer experiences when purchasing packed tomatoes and herbs from their chain supermarkets. It is no coincidence that activities such as camping, sewing, and volunteer work are ever-popular. People are discontent with the artificial world and look for more organic times in which they can preoccupy themselves with meaningful