The culture industry creates and sells highly standardized and homogenized goods through the media. The media, which has a brilliant way of persuading consumers to buy products that they don’t need, shows thousands of advertisements on television twenty four hours a day, whether it is good or bad for the consumer. Consumers, who for the most part, can see exactly what the media is doing, are still persuaded. Media is able to persuade people into buying products; they do not need, by convincing consumers that they do need them. Certain examples would be the different types of cell phones, gym shoes, cars, etc.
First, let us start with the different types of cellular devices. Every year, new phones come and every new phone that comes out are claimed to be better than the rest. Certain brand name phones such as the Iphone, HTC, Samsung etc., all do this. I have a friend, who just purchased the HTC X one, a few months ago, but now he is trying to get a new phone because now he hears how the Samsung Galaxy S3 is better. There is nothing wrong with his phone, not a scratch or any type of mechanical defects. However, he wants to get a brand new phone, more than likely, because of the things he has heard and because the media has pumped up the Samsung phone through advertisements. This creates false needs in the consumer, thinking that they have to get the newest, hot thing because society says so. Both phones can do the same things, which are texting, internet, and calling people, however, the new phone may come with a few new features.
The next thing would be gym shoes, however, I am not talking about just any type of gym shoes; I am talking about Jordans. For years, consumers keep buying Jordans repeatedly has if they are new. If you ever decide to go to a Footlocker or Nike Town store on a Jordan release day, you will see a long line that goes past a few blocks. This is not the only thing, because usually these shoes can run from about a hundred dollars to three or four hundred dollars. Why do people feel the need to buy these shoes over and over again? Well it is because of the false need they feel to have these shoes, which accomplish the basic needs that any other shoe would.
The culture industry is manipulative and does this with the use of media. People fall for it every time, and I must admit, even I do from time to time. We see right through it, yet we still choose to be victimized by the media. Of course, this does have consequences for consumer, by spending our money on useless objects and on things that we could wait to get later. We choose to get items that are highly publicized to fulfill our false needs and sometimes people put these false needs above real needs (necessities). The culture industry manipulates us by clouding our judgment and creates a sense of loyalty from us, which helps to keep the cycle to keep going.
First, let us start with the different types of cellular devices. Every year, new phones come and every new phone that comes out are claimed to be better than the rest. Certain brand name phones such as the Iphone, HTC, Samsung etc., all do this. I have a friend, who just purchased the HTC X one, a few months ago, but now he is trying to get a new phone because now he hears how the Samsung Galaxy S3 is better. There is nothing wrong with his phone, not a scratch or any type of mechanical defects. However, he wants to get a brand new phone, more than likely, because of the things he has heard and because the media has pumped up the Samsung phone through advertisements. This creates false needs in the consumer, thinking that they have to get the newest, hot thing because society says so. Both phones can do the same things, which are texting, internet, and calling people, however, the new phone may come with a few new features.
The next thing would be gym shoes, however, I am not talking about just any type of gym shoes; I am talking about Jordans. For years, consumers keep buying Jordans repeatedly has if they are new. If you ever decide to go to a Footlocker or Nike Town store on a Jordan release day, you will see a long line that goes past a few blocks. This is not the only thing, because usually these shoes can run from about a hundred dollars to three or four hundred dollars. Why do people feel the need to buy these shoes over and over again? Well it is because of the false need they feel to have these shoes, which accomplish the basic needs that any other shoe would.
The culture industry is manipulative and does this with the use of media. People fall for it every time, and I must admit, even I do from time to time. We see right through it, yet we still choose to be victimized by the media. Of course, this does have consequences for consumer, by spending our money on useless objects and on things that we could wait to get later. We choose to get items that are highly publicized to fulfill our false needs and sometimes people put these false needs above real needs (necessities). The culture industry manipulates us by clouding our judgment and creates a sense of loyalty from us, which helps to keep the cycle to keep going.
Erika,
Good blog! I think it is ironic how as consumers we know this is being done to us and that we actually buy into it. There are some people who just live getting new phone and having that new phone just makes their lives better. It's crazy that as human we even depend on them so much considering fifteen years ago they were non-existent. Jordans are a huge thing but a tleast those unlike phones go up in value, depending on their condition of course.
Dubon
Good blog! I think it is ironic how as consumers we know this is being done to us and that we actually buy into it. There are some people who just live getting new phone and having that new phone just makes their lives better. It's crazy that as human we even depend on them so much considering fifteen years ago they were non-existent. Jordans are a huge thing but a tleast those unlike phones go up in value, depending on their condition of course.
Dubon