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 skatealex2
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Registered: 07/04/08
Posts: 18,699
Last seen: 6 months, 10 days
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I am not really sure what to say about this thread but I kind of agree that there are many mindless consumers.\......... but I think for some people shopping is kinda like a drug- a mindless one, but one that all you need for is money. at the same time I don't think i am a mindless person and I go shopping sometimes. you gotta get your stuff somewhere  it is good for the economy too- when we have people shopping a lot- so that is a t least a +
but I feel kinda weird about our mainstream culture. everything from music, big stores, news, manicure places- a lot of it seems very fake and really just to profit the higher ups but that's just the way it is........ marijuana is illegal in the USA- you can't expect everyone to be free thinkers 
but like I said- consumers can be a good thing sometimes and at least they are contributing to society - economically ........
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PDU
travel kid vs.amerika
Registered: 12/03/02
Posts: 10,675
Loc: beautiful BC
Last seen: 8 years, 7 months
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Quote:
blkjkrabbit said:
PDU - weather = whether
Thank you. I have been misspelling that for AGES, and it always comes up on the spell check, but i've never bothered to check.
I usually spell it wether though.
My mother was a university english prof. and i was raised to have good spelling and grammar. I was always quite anal about it, but Its gone to shit these days...
but that makes me feel better, knowing how to spell "whether."
I will sleep well tonight.
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GO OUTSIDE.
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PDU
travel kid vs.amerika
Registered: 12/03/02
Posts: 10,675
Loc: beautiful BC
Last seen: 8 years, 7 months
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 Re: Observing consumers.  [Re: skatealex2]
#10584698 - 06/28/09 01:46 AM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
skatealex2 said:
you can't expect everyone to be free thinkers
To an extent. I think people in advanced industrialized societies with America leading the way (please name other societies which place equal or more value on consumption?) - they have just stopped thinking and done what they are told, primarily by industries exploiting them for profit.
((EDIT: Quote:
but I feel kinda weird about our mainstream culture. everything from music, big stores, news, manicure places- a lot of it seems very fake and really just to profit the higher ups but that's just the way it is........
))
(the exploitation comes from making people feel insufficient without *said product*.)
As far as i can tell, television and educational institutions and the "mainstream social order" all reinforce this lack of thinking.
_________________________________________
Shopping is not inherently bad.
However, i think marketing and its prevelence on radio, billboards, magazines and primarily television including commercials and product placement in shows - all of these things brainwash people to think they need things that they don't.
They also support and accept the "no limits" on consumption attitude, that alot of people have.
I think consuming frivilously really misdirects alot of peoples attention and resources (time and money.)
I think we would have a more balanced, healthy and productive society if people spent less energy into obtaining things they do not need + and limited their consumption of things they want.
So i try and limit my own consumption in hopes of... i don't even know. - i know that consuming responsibly makes me feel better inside, than if i went hog wild...
Ok, so how about this: What are your consumption patterns like? Do you consume alot, alittle, do you consider your purchases or act on impulse? Blow your cheque or save up for the big ticket item? Do you buy things which are practical, or flashy? Do you feel social pressure to buy things? If so, do you give into this pressure or, how does this pressure make you feel? Do you judge a person by the things he has or has not?
Also:Do you think it is more common to give into impulse, or to question whether you really do need *insert product here*? Why?
For me, eating more than i require, and out of sheer enjoyment of eating, is my biggest consumptive faux pas.
I recognize we all must cross an imaginary and totally personal line of ethics and responsibility, in order to maintain ourselves in a reasonable + respectable manner.
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GO OUTSIDE.
Edited by PDU (06/28/09 01:47 AM)
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skatealex2
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Registered: 07/04/08
Posts: 18,699
Last seen: 6 months, 10 days
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Re: Observing consumers. [Re: PDU]
#10586418 - 06/28/09 01:33 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Couldn't really give a fuck about what anyone is buying or consuming- truthfully the only judgments I may make on shoppers is if they are spending all their money at stores like Abercrombie- I hate those trends, seems like a lame way to spend your earned money .
I feel pressured to take out food every few days for some reason- maybe it is engrained in my head- but I tend to feel happy when I take out a nice chinese meal or whatever  especially if I  right before
I've had times where I may have over shopped or bought stupid things I don't need, but I am done with that and I believe marijuana and psychedelics show me way beyond that. I am more interested in internal/personal experiences and would rather spend $$ on things like 
I agree with you about the mainstream order! Thousands or Millions of people are tricked into buying things they don't need almost every day---- our society seems to based around making money. Look at the teenage heroes of today- 50 cent, creed, britney spears-------it really doesn't make any sense to be honest I hate the mainstream and not because I think I am better then everyone- just from my experiences - the mainstream just dumbs everything down and tricks people into fake happiness 
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iamconfused
Happily insane since '06
Registered: 03/14/06
Posts: 589
Last seen: 9 years, 9 months
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Re: Observing consumers. [Re: PDU]
#10586542 - 06/28/09 01:55 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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PDU: I'm with you on that, although I'll admit that I have a weakness for energy drinks. I should drink tea or coffee, but I'm lazy and we have a brand in my area that is only $1.09.
I've also had similar thoughts about cars. I wonder why there is no public outcry towards how we now design neighborhoods that practically necessitate owning a car. Not only are cars harmful for the environment, but they have a bunch of annual costs that total in thousands of dollars yearly for every driver. Thousands of dollars yearly for hunk of metal on four wheels?! I can't tolerate it, it's unconscionable.
On top of that, they've (the government and corporations) convinced everybody that we need cell phones, cable television, the internet, and etc., which all have an accumulative monthly cost easily in the hundreds of dollars, if not the thousands of dollars for some. Also, although we supposedly live in a "capitalist" society, we pay over 50% tax on our incomes when you put all of the state, city, and federal taxes together. We, however, get no socialist services, and must pay if we want the internet or other modern niceties that being made essentially necessary in the modern world. None of this includes the initial costs of buying a car, a computer, a cell phone, and what else have you. We're being duped, I think. And just like with cars, we're harming the environment greatly to have these things. We could use clean energy to power these things and cut down on general usage with little impact on our personal lives, but we don't. WHY THE FUCK NOT? This situation, as it stands now, can not go on forever. Not just environmentally, but financially. We're cash strapped as a nation because of all these costs we've allowed corporations and governments sneak into our lives.
Here's something I wrote about this topic awhile ago that I think fits in with this post:
"the capitalist system, like a system, from a planet to your body, tries to maintain a homeostasis or equilibrium. here's how it works in capitalism: people are sick enough to need expensive prescriptions medications every month but still healthy enough to go to work. you make a good income, but there's bottomfeeders tricking everyone into paying monthly fees for cell phones, cars (you might as include gas, oil changes, and etc. as fees), insurance, cable tv, the internet, and etc., until you're in debt. is this the best system, really? really?! we are not intentionally fucking ourselves over, we're just victims of the system WE put into place."
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skatealex2
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Registered: 07/04/08
Posts: 18,699
Last seen: 6 months, 10 days
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America's reliance on technology is a bit scary
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iamconfused
Happily insane since '06
Registered: 03/14/06
Posts: 589
Last seen: 9 years, 9 months
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To go along with this, I'll also say that as a society we have lost the concept of "doing without". Imagine if we had to cut down like our ancestors did during the Great Depression and WWII? I don't think some people would make it out sane.
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 Knifey Mcstab
Sir Prancelot Brainfire
Registered: 01/04/04
Posts: 4,846
Loc: PNW
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I disagree, I think technology is an integral part of are evolution.
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PDU
travel kid vs.amerika
Registered: 12/03/02
Posts: 10,675
Loc: beautiful BC
Last seen: 8 years, 7 months
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Quote:
iamconfused said:
To go along with this, I'll also say that as a society we have lost the concept of "doing without". Imagine if we had to cut down like our ancestors did during the Great Depression and WWII? I don't think some people would make it out sane.
DING DING DING.
The way i see it, Comfort, happiness and success comes from inside a person.
I find having (or trying to exercise) discipline in my consumptive habits, forces me to be more aware of myself and my role in the world.
I think a point i was trying to make in this thread, is that people really are "consumers" and they are waay more often, than not, a sum of material possessions which define them.
And just to be clear - drink energy drinks if you like, i try my best to not pass judgement when judgement is not due. I do observe and evaluate from my subjective position though.
You could be doing worse things than drinking energy drinks , that is forsure.
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GO OUTSIDE.
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Baby_Hitler
Errorist
Registered: 03/06/02
Posts: 27,652
Loc: To the limit! 
Last seen: 4 hours, 16 minutes
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Re: Observing consumers. [Re: PDU]
#10587796 - 06/28/09 05:46 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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I don't think that buying things makes you a mindless consumer. It's when someone thinks that owning stuff is what makes them a better person.
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This space for rent
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blkjkrabbit
Registered: 07/22/07
Posts: 4,971
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Re: Observing consumers. [Re: PDU]
#10587876 - 06/28/09 06:07 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
PDU said:
Quote:
blkjkrabbit said:
PDU - weather = whether
Thank you. I have been misspelling that for AGES, and it always comes up on the spell check, but i've never bothered to check.
I usually spell it wether though.
My mother was a university english prof. and i was raised to have good spelling and grammar. I was always quite anal about it, but Its gone to shit these days...
but that makes me feel better, knowing how to spell "whether."
I will sleep well tonight.
yeah one of english's little quirks all the homonyms fuck up sooo many people
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Dudeyourgone
Gone...
Registered: 05/06/06
Posts: 1,623
Loc: California
Last seen: 3 years, 5 months
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Fuck they got me good man. I have a horribly addictive personality. I'm 21 years old around $8000 in debt, live with my parents, drink energy drinks every day, smoke a pack a day, eat fast food almost everyday sometimes multiple times a day. I mean i fucking pay $4.17 for a big red bull at the gas station everyday like its no big deal? Seriously WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH ME? I get paid every two weeks and im already borrowing money from my parents a week after i get paid. i think this is why im always depressed. i need to try and fix some of this fucking mess.
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PDU
travel kid vs.amerika
Registered: 12/03/02
Posts: 10,675
Loc: beautiful BC
Last seen: 8 years, 7 months
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Quote:
Dudeyourgone said:
Fuck they got me good man. I have a horribly addictive personality. I'm 21 years old around $8000 in debt, live with my parents, drink energy drinks every day, smoke a pack a day, eat fast food almost everyday sometimes multiple times a day. I mean i fucking pay $4.17 for a big red bull at the gas station everyday like its no big deal? Seriously WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH ME? I get paid every two weeks and im already borrowing money from my parents a week after i get paid. i think this is why im always depressed. i need to try and fix some of this fucking mess.
To the people who felt like i was attacking them - this poster is largely the type of person who i am talking about.
Again, observation - not judgement.
Do your parents consume alot "dudeyourgone"? Where did you learn this behavior? Have you tried to quit?... it'd be interesting to hear more of your thoughts on your situation.
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GO OUTSIDE.
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Dudeyourgone
Gone...
Registered: 05/06/06
Posts: 1,623
Loc: California
Last seen: 3 years, 5 months
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Re: Observing consumers. [Re: PDU]
#10588267 - 06/28/09 07:33 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Yes my mother is the worst! She shops constantly. We have 5 people living in our house and enough food to last MONTHS. Nothing healthy either, but none of my family is overweight so thats kinda weird.
We have a fridge full of food in the kitchen. A fridge full of soda/drinks in the garage. A freezer full of food in the garage. Huge cubboards just full of cereal or canned goods or chips.
I have not tried to quit. I feel helpless, like I have no willpower to do anything (that diet probably doesnt help haha). Growing up, going through the american education system always made me feel like I needed to have the "cool" brands of clothes, shoes, etc. I feel like im stupid if I wear something not name brand for instance..and thats really fucked up because i dont hate on people for wearing different things.
It's like i just woke up one day (after shroomies) and realized this is a major problem in my life. I never noticed it was a problem before and sometimes wish i could go back to before i noticed the problem. But i know thats not possible and realizing my problems is probably for the better. American Society is seriously fucked up..
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PDU
travel kid vs.amerika
Registered: 12/03/02
Posts: 10,675
Loc: beautiful BC
Last seen: 8 years, 7 months
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Hey, its really interesting you posted here, i am glad you did.
It is true, you cannot close your eyes, once they have been pryed open.
How long ago did you realize this?
It is very hard to change your habits when you are in an environment which will not change with you. - it is real easy to be dragged down by others.
I feel my potential would be expanded alot if i was in a more likeminded + supportive environment (it is unfortunate that means i would have to cut out most of the world around me.) - However, i do choose the things which i expose myself to carefully.
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GO OUTSIDE.
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Dudeyourgone
Gone...
Registered: 05/06/06
Posts: 1,623
Loc: California
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Re: Observing consumers. [Re: PDU]
#10588848 - 06/28/09 09:23 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Probably about a year and a half ago after i first tried shrooms and realized that me and my buddies all fit the typical american stereotypes. Recently i was talking to an old girlfriend from wisconsin (i lived there for 6 months) and i was telling her something about some kind of car i wanted... she said "People from California are too into there cars and houses. is it really that big of a deal?". I always feel like im worthless. all those childhood dreams shattered. so i sit here dwelling on all the negativity and i cant get out of this rut. so i say FUCK IT and continue all my horrible habits. I know i cant make it like this forever though. Depression really drains you.
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truekimbo2
Cya later, friends.
Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 9,234
Loc: ny
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Re: Observing consumers. [Re: PDU]
#10588874 - 06/28/09 09:26 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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pdu. sometime in the next couple of days i'm going to make a thread about consumer culture as a path to spiritual/psychological fulfillment just for you.
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You can check the last post in my journal for contact info.
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Tranquil Toad
A.I. Living Inside the Internet
Registered: 04/17/09
Posts: 773
Last seen: 13 years, 7 months
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Re: Observing consumers. [Re: truekimbo2]
#10588921 - 06/28/09 09:36 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
truekimbo2 said:
pdu. sometime in the next couple of days i'm going to make a thread about consumer culture as a path to spiritual/psychological fulfillment just for you.
lol, do it.
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Shroomism
Space Travellin
Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 66,015
Loc: 9th Dimension
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Yeah mindless consumerism is quite prevalent in this society, shit I just moved from one capitol of it (DC) to an even bigger one (Hollywood).
Me I stopped giving a fuck years ago.. if people want to waste their money on useless crap and think it makes them a better person then go for it.
Some people can be so materialistic - that's their entire lifestyle, all they care about is their nice car and their fancy clothes and maintaining that. Then they judge you for not having that standard. Whatever. Fuck them.
We are a culture of excess, and we have been bred to be the largest consumers in the world.
Everyone has to have their toys.
It's good and it's also terribly tragic at the same time.
There's nothing inherently wrong with buying stuff. I buy stuff all the time.
To some people - it's just an almost a mechanical instinctual habit - they are programmed to consume, consume, consume.
What are you gonna do though? It is what it is.
Until the shit hits the fan, people are going to want to maintain their "comfort of living" and comfort = buying stuff.
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PDU
travel kid vs.amerika
Registered: 12/03/02
Posts: 10,675
Loc: beautiful BC
Last seen: 8 years, 7 months
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Re: Observing consumers. [Re: truekimbo2]
#10589029 - 06/28/09 09:54 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
truekimbo2 said:
pdu. sometime in the next couple of days i'm going to make a thread about consumer culture as a path to spiritual/psychological fulfillment just for you.
That would be fascinating. Perhaps you can challenge me to question my ways.
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GO OUTSIDE.
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