Friday, October 28, 2011
CA Blog: Loss of Real Connection
In modern America, real connection is much harder to find between citizens. Additionally, there is a struggle amongst people in modern societies to find unique roles. Consequently, we see people trying compensate through consumption. Advertising attracts those who are in search for meaning. Affluenza states, "whether it's a new set of golf clubs or a walk-in closet full of sweaters and shoes, having the right stuff and sending the right signal somehow reassures addictive buyers" (110). We are drawn to the of using fashion to complete our personality. In Alex Kotlowitz's exempt, "False Connections," the author agrees saying, "in the end, fashions are just that- fashions. some kids yearn for baggy jeans or a Tommy Hilfiger shirt not because of what it represents but because it is the style of their peers." I find fashion one of the, if not the most, intriguing obsessions of the global economy for its affect on all ages and races. If you are interested, I pose this question to you: In what ways does "sending the right message somehow reassure addictive buyers"?
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Advertising is a form of communication used to influence an audience to purchase. Individuals can be presented with these advertisements through aroma, auditory or visual aspects. Advertising does not end when you close a magazine, television or turn off the radio/computer. Friends, family, celebrities, and people we bypass on the streets continue the process of advertisement. It can start with the scent of perfume/cologne, the beautiful handbags you are using, or your fabulous new shoes. Celebrities and friends play a strong role in influence as well as advertisement. You see it, you feel it, you touch it, you smell it, you try it, you want it…you purchase it! Fashion and fads take a major role when deciding to purchase a product. I believe individuals are highly influenced by advertisement. When someone else has something, it becomes more enticing to have the exact thing or something better. In modern society, some individuals are struggling to find their own “unique role” as Dan proposed. This initiates them to follow the lead of others, or purchase “things” that will help define them. I agree with Dan’s statement “…advertising attracts those who are in search for meaning.” Often people will like and buy things because someone else has it and it tends to become more attractive to them. Addictive buyers will purchase anything just because there is a new version of it, such as with video games, or vehicles. I think as long as new products are made, but are advertised differently “…sending the right message will somehow reassure addictive buyers.” These buyers will consume beyond reason of the change of season, but simply because “their friends just got one, or they need to have it first”
ReplyDeleteAdvertising is a form of communication used to influence an audience to purchase. Individuals can be presented with these advertisements through aroma, auditory or visual aspects. Advertising does not end when you close a magazine, television or turn off the radio/computer. Friends, family, celebrities, and people we bypass on the streets continue the process of advertisement. It can start with the scent of perfume/cologne, the beautiful handbags you are using, or your fabulous new shoes. Celebrities and friends play a strong role in influence as well as advertisement. You see it, you feel it, you touch it, you smell it, you try it, you want it…you purchase it! Fashion and fads take a major role when deciding to purchase a product. I believe individuals are highly influenced by advertisement. When someone else has something, it becomes more enticing to have the exact thing or something better. In modern society, some individuals are struggling to find their own “unique role” as Dan proposed. This initiates them to follow the lead of others, or purchase “things” that will help define them. I agree with Dan’s statement “…advertising attracts those who are in search for meaning.” Often people will like and buy things because someone else has it and it tends to become more attractive to them. Addictive buyers will purchase anything just because there is a new version of it, such as with video games, or vehicles. I think as long as new products are made, but are advertised differently “…sending the right message will somehow reassure addictive buyers.” These buyers will consume beyond reason of the change of season, but simply because “their friends just got one, or they need to have it first”
ReplyDeleteI agree that fashion is one of the most interesting obsessions of the global economy. Fashion changes from year to year and what we think is fashionable or stylish also changes. Many of us look at the trends of the 80s and 90s and cringe at what was considered stylish back then, but there was a point where everyone agreed that the trend was fashionable. This idea was reinforced by television advertising. The more often scrunchies and spandex were worn by TV characters or on commercials, the more the idea that these styles were "cool" was reinforced in mass society's mind. This is continuing to happen to us as a society now, as we're told that trends like Uggs are out and new styles are in. The more these images appear to us on television, in magazines or on the street, the more we feel that we have made the right decision in terms of what to wear, no matter how unflattering that trend may be. As these images disappear from our culture, we begin to think that they are outdated and unfashionable and move onto whatever the next most popular item is.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the article and the previous statements. Fashion and trends with men or women whether we are dealing with clothes, shoes, or anything of the sort plays a huge role in consumers finding a meaning to themselves. Fashion has changed and will always continue to change throughout the years; with that consumers will go and buy whatever it is they see will be the trend at that time. Television, magazine ads, and whatever we see people wearing or having on the street will always intrigue people to purchase what they have, its basically how trends start. In fashion what ever is popular is what is going to attract the consumers.
ReplyDeleteI dont think real connections are harder to find between Americans in modern America, I just think that the way in which we connect with people has changed. But that is only to be expected because everything changes and who would want it any other way? Although some might find the connections we make with people now a days are more "shallow" I also disagree with that. In these modern times the way we interact with people is different, we no longer need to be friends with those who grow our food, or make our clothes because those have turned into stores and supermarkets. We now have space to connect with those who play larger roles in our lives. Like the ones who teach our children in school and those who we allow into our homes to fix whatever we have managed to break. However on the fashion note, i completely agree with what stephen said, fashion does play a huge role in consumers finding a meaning to themselves. What we chose to wear is what others chose to label us with. If we do not directly speak to anyone what they see is what they judge us on and they obviously see what we wear before anything else. the changes in fshion, although not all positive, are clear showings of how the generations grow and understand themselves.
ReplyDeleteWhether it ‘s a mainstream fashion trend or not, I feel that no one is original. Somewhere down the line, someone or something influenced what you’re wearing. Whether it’s based on the music you listen to and/or those you associate with, nothing and no one is original anymore. “Punks” will often all look the same just as “jocks and preppie kids” will look the same. By identifying with your peers, we’re all conformists.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to dress the way you want and feel and who are we to judge, no matter how absurd someone looks. Hey, it’s “what they want,” right?
section 80
In the book Affluenza John De Graaf states, “The thrill of shopping is only one aspect of the addiction to stuff…the problem is that the world’s signals keep changing, so addicts never reach a point of having enough” (De Graff 110). Addicts of consumption tend to consume and consume to send the right signals to society around them, the problem with that is, many things today become obsolete within weeks or months and therefore the addicted consumers constantly consumer to keep up with the changing signals of the world. De Graff points out, economist call this, the law of diminishing marginal utility, meaning, that the perceived value of, or satisfaction gained from, a good to a consumer declines with each additional unit acquired or consumed. The addiction with “more” to satisfy the pathological need of addicted consumers grows larger and larger, as their satisfaction in these goods decreases. To conclude, sending the right messages momentarily reassures and satisfies buyers, but there’s no meaning or value to these goods, people with the “affluenza virus” will need to continue to consume more and more satisfy their momentary needs as the world’s signals keep changing.
ReplyDelete"sending the right message somehow reassure addictive buyers"?
ReplyDeleteWell, in response to the original question, sending a message reassures addictive buyers because people use fashion to establish their position. This position created by fashion consists of power and flexibility, because they have to have disposable income to invest in their clothing to stay ahead of the majority in trends.
So, if individuals with disposable incomes can invest in their clothing, we witness it and choose to follow so we can be of their class. They actualize our fantasy, which really is about just breaking off the beaten path and most likely accepted because of their position.
Although, I've been just trying to pick at fashion, I think it's hard to make any concrete statements because of people's personal fashion preferences. For instance, a person who is successful in business may be quite frumpy and not put any attention into such things than another young hot shot executive out to prove something. Both probably have very different perspectives, and ways of determining the "right" message.
Sending the right message carries meaning for obsessive shoppers because it reassures them that there is meaning to their consumption. By sending a particular message, a buyer can display affluence and upward social mobility. In essence, what a person owns becomes evidence of who that person is and what that person stands for. Consumption therefore takes an abstract concept and turns it into a material reality. This is what makes consumption attractive for so many people.
ReplyDeleteTom Reilly, Section 01
I agree with Donna in her comment about advertising being a form of communication. It should be noted that the way we want to be read is seen through how we are perceived, and the first impression is visually. The suburban white middle class youth that mimics the trends of the urban poor do so with outward physical expression and verbal cues. They don't have any realization or any idea what it is like to live in the neighboring town. Youth is then a valuable target for advertisers because of their malleability. They crave that rebellion and a lifestyle in one urban area becomes a fashion statement in another suburban area.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Tampan Section 01
We all want to send a message, whether it is through our cars, hair styles or cloths. The fashion that we portray signifies a message to all; through the purchase of the newest and hottest fashion we show status to others. Fashion is a competition; you want to look better than the others around you and buy the best pieces of clothing to flaunt it off. Fashion sends a statement whether it is to rebel from the norm of all others or to flaunt what others want to have.
ReplyDeleteAly Palumbo:Section 80
I can answer this in two ways. First of all i really think that an individuals style is much less what they personally deep down like, rather what they are told to like.By "sending the right message" gets addictive buyers because the advertisers are well aware what catches the eye and what will get people to continue to buy their product as well as attracting new buyers.
ReplyDeleteForgot to put Austin Payne Section 80 ^
ReplyDelete