materialistic girl, in a materialistic world
What is materialism?
(noun)
1.Philosophy. The theory that physical matter is the only reality and that everything, including thought, feeling, mind, and will, can be explained in terms of matter and physical phenomena.
2.The theory or attitude that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life.
3.A great or excessive regard for worldly concerns
What does materialism stem from? Is it an attitude - the need/want to own everything? If so, what does everything constitute - all the small things everywhere, or in particular, brands?
Is materialism a lifestyle? Obviously the rich aren't the only people capable of lusting for worldy goods; the average person is perfectly able to have the same desires - there isn't a boundary for wants, is there?
Is materialism directly proportionate to the physical cost of 'worldy concerns'? Is it more materialistic to want to own everything cheap, as opposed to wanting to own just one item that has a summation value of 'everything cheap'?
Is materialism an acquired taste? Can you undo materialism, if you've ever defined it to begin with? If you've started noticing, is it possible to stop noticing? Would noticing be considered materialistic? Or would the actual purchase add to the materialism 'factor' that you'd attribute to a person?
Am I materialistic? A few years ago, a good friend told me he bought a belt from AX that cost a hundred bucks. I went something like.. 'A BELT THAT COST $100?!?!?! Wtf did you get that for?' Right now, I'd go something like.. 'Ooh how does it look like?' Is this shift in response an indication of an increase in materialism level? (Sidenote: omg this last sentence is due to the occupational hazard of being a science-person)
I think.. In particular relation to brands, noticing is fine; you can't un-notice once you know what they are.
I think.. materialism is defined by your culture, on top of being a negative connotation that judgemental people put on you. (hear hear, the bitterness is out - not that anyone has accused me of being materialistic)
I think.. materialism can only be applied when your motivation of being is to own everything. Then again, it doesn't have to be expensive items, what if you want a particular pair of (cheap) shoes, but they don't have it in your size? Are you being materialistic by simply purchasing it so you can look at it and feel happy?
In my defence - I like everything pretty, regardless of the price. While I may lust for the Hermes bracelet, I obviously do know it's ridiculously overpriced and completely not worth it. Then again.. What's worth it, anyway? A holiday? If I only had that amount, I'd spend it on a holiday than on a silly bracelet. But if I had a choice of buying many items that I don't fancy that is equivalent to that bracelet, obviously I'd get the bracelet - what's the point of buying something that you don't like?
Note that I've never included need in this whole equation - it's pointless to talk about need in any argument, because if you came to the crux of it, you don't need anything at all. You don't need highlighters, or aircon, or chips. There's a reason for needing them, you say? A highlighter serves a great purpose for demarking important points, yes. The aircon provides immense comfort, yes. And chips is an awesome way of destressing, yes. But haven't all these been shaped into 'needs', rather than 'wants'? To what extent will you consider something to step over the boundaries of want to need? What happens if there's something else that you lust for that isn't part of the common 'wants' or 'acceptables' by other people? There are no needs. What if it serves to provide comfort, or contentment, or an elevation of.. an element inside you? Will that then be considered - however grudgingly - as a need?
I think.. Materialism (subjective) is an excessive need of items that people don't usually consider as a need.
For instance, why is it that purchasing a Ferragamo hairband for $95USD would be acceptable, compared to a Hermes bracelet (which is gold-plated, btw) for $530USD? There is a 5-fold increase in price, but aren't you paying 95bucks for cloth when you could get something.. gold (we all know the value of cloth vs gold.)? It's like.. why are you buying Burberry when you could get the same checked pattern at a roadside stall for a fraction of the price, or an authentic LV when there are a million fakes? It's the quality, isn't it? It's also about the status, isn't it? Ultimately, it's all about the untangibles, and not what you can physically put a value on, isn't it?
I'm not superficial nor materialistic. I find the best possible deals EVER. I calculate just to save a couple of cents, and I refuse to spend even $1 on things like.. gummybears. Or random hair clips. Or impulse buys. So I think if I really want something that (to most people, except the filthy rich) costs the world? Say your piece and let me mull it over, Lord knows I've weighed and outweighed the pros and cons so many times, I can read them backwards. Just don't judge me.
PS: this piece isn't directed at anyone in particular!
(noun)
1.Philosophy. The theory that physical matter is the only reality and that everything, including thought, feeling, mind, and will, can be explained in terms of matter and physical phenomena.
2.The theory or attitude that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life.
3.A great or excessive regard for worldly concerns
What does materialism stem from? Is it an attitude - the need/want to own everything? If so, what does everything constitute - all the small things everywhere, or in particular, brands?
Is materialism a lifestyle? Obviously the rich aren't the only people capable of lusting for worldy goods; the average person is perfectly able to have the same desires - there isn't a boundary for wants, is there?
Is materialism directly proportionate to the physical cost of 'worldy concerns'? Is it more materialistic to want to own everything cheap, as opposed to wanting to own just one item that has a summation value of 'everything cheap'?
Is materialism an acquired taste? Can you undo materialism, if you've ever defined it to begin with? If you've started noticing, is it possible to stop noticing? Would noticing be considered materialistic? Or would the actual purchase add to the materialism 'factor' that you'd attribute to a person?
Am I materialistic? A few years ago, a good friend told me he bought a belt from AX that cost a hundred bucks. I went something like.. 'A BELT THAT COST $100?!?!?! Wtf did you get that for?' Right now, I'd go something like.. 'Ooh how does it look like?' Is this shift in response an indication of an increase in materialism level? (Sidenote: omg this last sentence is due to the occupational hazard of being a science-person)
I think.. In particular relation to brands, noticing is fine; you can't un-notice once you know what they are.
I think.. materialism is defined by your culture, on top of being a negative connotation that judgemental people put on you. (hear hear, the bitterness is out - not that anyone has accused me of being materialistic)
I think.. materialism can only be applied when your motivation of being is to own everything. Then again, it doesn't have to be expensive items, what if you want a particular pair of (cheap) shoes, but they don't have it in your size? Are you being materialistic by simply purchasing it so you can look at it and feel happy?
In my defence - I like everything pretty, regardless of the price. While I may lust for the Hermes bracelet, I obviously do know it's ridiculously overpriced and completely not worth it. Then again.. What's worth it, anyway? A holiday? If I only had that amount, I'd spend it on a holiday than on a silly bracelet. But if I had a choice of buying many items that I don't fancy that is equivalent to that bracelet, obviously I'd get the bracelet - what's the point of buying something that you don't like?
Note that I've never included need in this whole equation - it's pointless to talk about need in any argument, because if you came to the crux of it, you don't need anything at all. You don't need highlighters, or aircon, or chips. There's a reason for needing them, you say? A highlighter serves a great purpose for demarking important points, yes. The aircon provides immense comfort, yes. And chips is an awesome way of destressing, yes. But haven't all these been shaped into 'needs', rather than 'wants'? To what extent will you consider something to step over the boundaries of want to need? What happens if there's something else that you lust for that isn't part of the common 'wants' or 'acceptables' by other people? There are no needs. What if it serves to provide comfort, or contentment, or an elevation of.. an element inside you? Will that then be considered - however grudgingly - as a need?
I think.. Materialism (subjective) is an excessive need of items that people don't usually consider as a need.
For instance, why is it that purchasing a Ferragamo hairband for $95USD would be acceptable, compared to a Hermes bracelet (which is gold-plated, btw) for $530USD? There is a 5-fold increase in price, but aren't you paying 95bucks for cloth when you could get something.. gold (we all know the value of cloth vs gold.)? It's like.. why are you buying Burberry when you could get the same checked pattern at a roadside stall for a fraction of the price, or an authentic LV when there are a million fakes? It's the quality, isn't it? It's also about the status, isn't it? Ultimately, it's all about the untangibles, and not what you can physically put a value on, isn't it?
I'm not superficial nor materialistic. I find the best possible deals EVER. I calculate just to save a couple of cents, and I refuse to spend even $1 on things like.. gummybears. Or random hair clips. Or impulse buys. So I think if I really want something that (to most people, except the filthy rich) costs the world? Say your piece and let me mull it over, Lord knows I've weighed and outweighed the pros and cons so many times, I can read them backwards. Just don't judge me.
PS: this piece isn't directed at anyone in particular!