Stuff And Its Madness: Buying Stuff Is What We Do Every Day

Stuff And Its Madnessbuying Stuff Is What We Do Every Day We Buy An U

Stuff And Its Madnessbuying Stuff Is What We Do Every Day We Buy An U

Stuff And Its Madnessbuying Stuff Is What We Do Every Day We Buy An U

Stuff And Its Madness Buying stuff is what we do every day. We buy an uncountable amount of stuff in our lifetime and we barely need them all. Take a time and look through the stuff you have, and think why did you buy them in the first place. You probably bought them because they’re new, or you felt like you need them, or you really do need them. In the essay called “Stuff Is Not Salvation” by Anna Quindlen, is about the addiction of consumption that is out of control and certify as a sickness.

She talks about the stuff we buy daily and how that will effect us, also why we buy this stuff. Quindlen said, “stuff does not bring salvation” (160). It’s obvious; we don’t need so much stuff. Eventually, we throw everything we bought last year because it’s old and we want the new big thing in the market. Also advertisement plays a big roll in this situation, by compelling the consumer into needing the product that is sold.

In this essay, I will briefly summarize Quindlen’s essay, analyze it, and give my opinion. Quindlen started her essay with a story about a worker at Wal-Mart in New York. The worker was crushed to death by shoppers. Later, there were reports that some people were out of control kept shopping even after announcements to clear the store. Those days, economy was down and industries are facing bankruptcy.

But the more important problem is the addiction of consumption that is out of control and certify as a sickness. Now the country is filled with people that have the habits of a child. They desire anything they see and the result is a growing business in a storage facility, filled with junk. Then Quindlen states “stuff does not bring salvation” (160). The happiest families she knows aren’t the ones with a huge house or a big garage space.

The stuff they have has meanings. Having less means the appreciation of possessions more to the families Quindlen talks about in her essay. Every year we buy a lot of stuff, whether we need them or not. In a book called “Confronting Consumption” edited by Thomas Princen, Michael Maniates, and Ken Conca, the authors states that consumption growth is expanding faster than population growth, the authors said, “And while global population growth still remains a huge issue in many regions of the world–––both rich and poor–––per-capita growth in consumption is, for many resources, expanding eight to twelve times faster than population growth” (4). Marketing has become an essential part for Americans.

Every where you go, you’ll see advertisements for a new product in the market, whether you were driving, taking the train or the bus, they’ll make sure you’ll see the advertisements. Companies introduce their product in a way that makes people must have it. After a few months, they introduce a newer version of the product, which makes the consumer throw the old one and buy the new one. In a book called “Why People Buy Things They Don’t Need” by Pamela N. Danziger, she said, “Consumers buy things to satisfy a concrete, distinctly felt need. Many consumer marketers go little further than this –– uncover the need, target it in advertising, and voila, products get sold” (1). That’s how companies make money by throwing at us every once in a while a new product, and we buy it without questioning ourselves whether we need this product or not. That’s what Quindlen argues about, do we really need all the stuff we buy? My answer to her question is no, we don’t need everything we buy; we buy them because we felt that we need them or they’re new and what we have is old. On the other hand, some people have stuff that has meaning to them.

They are attached to what they possess and they appreciate everything they have. Those people care about more important things; college, rent, and medication are more important than cheap electronics and toys. But still, most Americans these days care about buying a new phone and they must have it because the phone they have is old. Companies’ executives may have lost some millions back in 2008, but the sad truth is, we lost money too. We bought what they were selling and we didn’t need it.

I agree with Quindlen that consumption has become an addiction. I agree with her because the story she wrote in the beginning of her essay, about the worker at Wal-Mart, convinced me and made me believe that people would do anything for buying discounted electronics and toys. This is a problem that people must accept that they have, and should fix it as soon as possible. This story gave Quindlen’s essay a great hook, it what drove me to read the entire essay. I think this story would make any reader surprised by what could happen in a black Friday.

To sum up, Quindlen argument is more about the meaning of the stuff we have. The mother of the household that she knows said, “I can give you a story about every item, really” (161). In Quindlen words, “what they have has meaning. And meaning, real meaning, is what we are always trying to possess” (161). So what we are looking for in the stuff we have is meaning, and by having meanings to our possessions, we appreciate them more and care about them.

I think that Quindlen’s essay is a wake-up call for the people who buy stuff that they don’t need. My opinion is that people should think hard before buying something in the market, and never believe television advertising; it will make you want the product they’re selling so much. I suggest that everyone should check their stuff and see what you really need and what you don’t. If you find something you don’t need, don’t throw it away, donate it or give it to someone who might need it.

Paper For Above instruction

In her compelling essay “Stuff Is Not Salvation,” Anna Quindlen addresses the pervasive culture of consumerism that has become ingrained in modern society. She examines how the obsession with possessions drives individuals to continually acquire more, often at the expense of their well-being, financial stability, and environmental health. Quindlen’s narrative reveals that material possessions do not equate to happiness or salvation, challenging the common misconception that owning more leads to greater fulfillment.

One of the most striking elements of Quindlen’s argument is her recounting of a tragic incident at a Wal-Mart in New York, where a worker was crushed to death amidst a rush of shoppers. This anecdote highlights the dangerous extremes of consumer enthusiasm, especially during shopping events like Black Friday. The chaos and violence of that moment serve as a stark symbol of how consumption addiction can escalate to destructive levels. Quindlen asserts that this addiction is akin to a sickness, causing individuals, and society at large, to prioritize materialism over human safety and dignity.

The essay thoroughly critiques the cultural forces fueling excessive consumption. Advertising plays a significant role by creating artificial needs through pervasive marketing campaigns. Companies continuously release new versions of products, encouraging consumers to replace their possessions regularly, even when their current items are still functional. Pamela N. Danziger notes that consumers often purchase items to satisfy a perceived need, a need that marketers expertly uncover and target. This cycle leads to overproduction, waste, and environmental degradation, exemplified by the proliferation of the “trash vortex” in the Pacific Ocean.

The environmental consequences of consumerism are dire. The accumulation of plastic waste in the oceans creates large garbage patches, such as the North Pacific Gyre, known as the “Trash Vortex.” These patches threaten marine life, as animals ingest or become entangled in plastic debris. Sea turtles, for instance, often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, leading to fatal ingestions. Marine mammals and seabirds suffer similar fates, illustrating the tragic toll of human excess. Lindsey Hoshaw emphasizes that plastics absorb toxins like DDT and PCB, which then bioaccumulate in the food chain, posing risks to human health.

Quindlen’s critique extends to the personal level, emphasizing that possessions with meaning can bring genuine happiness. She quotes a mother who treasures her belongings because each item has a story, underscoring the idea that appreciation of possessions fosters contentment without excess. The pursuit of material goods often results in clutter and a focus on superficialities rather than meaningful relationships or experiences. Her call for minimalism aligns with environmental sustainability and personal well-being, advocating for a conscious evaluation of what truly adds value to life.

From a broader perspective, addressing consumer addiction requires societal change. Regulations and policies that limit overproduction, promote recycling, and combat misleading advertising are essential. Consumers must also develop awareness and discipline to resist impulsive buying. Educational campaigns can emphasize the importance of valuing quality over quantity and recognizing the environmental impact of waste. Communities can encourage sharing, donating, and reusing possessions to reduce waste and foster a culture of mindful consumption.

In conclusion, Anna Quindlen’s essay advocates for a reevaluation of our relationship with possessions. She convincingly argues that material things do not constitute salvation and warns against the destructive cycle of consumerism. Her insights inspire individuals to find happiness beyond possessions by valuing meaningful experiences and sustainable living. Ultimately, fostering a cultural shift towards mindful consumption can help mitigate environmental damage and improve societal well-being, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life.

References

• Danziger, Pamela N. (2002). Why People Buy Things They Don’t Need. Paramount Market Publishing.
• Hoshaw, Lindsey. (2009). A Vortex of Trash, Afloat and Growing. New York Times.
• Princen, Thomas, Michael Maniates, and Ken Conca (Eds.). (n.d.). Confronting Consumption. MIT Press.
• Quindlen, Anna. (2008). Stuff Is Not Salvation. Newsweek.
• Greenpeace International. (n.d.). The Trash Vortex. Greenpeace.
• Rockström, J., Steffen, W., Noone, K., et al. (2009). Planetary Boundaries: Exploring the Safe Operating Space for Humanity. Ecology and Society, 14(2).
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• Max-Neef, M. (1995). Human Scale Development: Conception, Application and Further Reflections. The Human Scale Development Movement.
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