The Material/Economic Self PDF

**The Material/Economic Self** - **SHOP THEREFORE I AM \| HAVE, THEREFORE I AM?** - Shopping has evolved into a lifestyle. - Accumulation of material goods can become stressful and overwhelming. - Consumption can substitute what's missing in life, preventing true happiness. -...

**The Material/Economic Self** - **SHOP THEREFORE I AM \| HAVE, THEREFORE I AM?** - Shopping has evolved into a lifestyle. - Accumulation of material goods can become stressful and overwhelming. - Consumption can substitute what's missing in life, preventing true happiness. - The issue lies in what we buy and invest in. **Consumption and Production** - Definition of Consume: \"Use up, to spend wastefully, to destroy\" (Gusdorf, 1978). - Behind consumption, there is production. - Consumers sustain companies. - These companies provide jobs, putting food on the table for people. **Conscious Consumption** - Consumers are often portrayed as \"victims, exploited by greedy companies.\" - Every individual has \"free will.\" - Conscious consumption focuses on responsible buying habits. **Psychological/Sociological Consumption** - Consumption can become an addiction. - True and lasting happiness comes from: - Spending time with family/friends. - Having \"me\" time. - Enjoying nature. - Reading, etc. **Identity and Consumer Culture** - Identity: A symbolic idea, shaped through social interaction. - Factors influencing identity: - Social relations of power. - Symbolic image of the world. - Erik Erikson's (1950s) work: Identity is influenced by social categories, behaviors, and characteristics. - Features of Consumer Culture (Slater, 1997): - It is centered around consumption. - Tied to market society and is universal and impersonal. - Tied to private choice and individual freedom. - Insatiable and unlimited. - Builds personal identity and status. **The Problem with Consumerism** - Intrusive: Constant influence on our lives. - Manipulative: Companies control desires. - Unsustainable: Can't provide lasting fulfillment. - Restricts Choices: Limits personal freedom. - Affects Worldviews: Changes how we see the world and ourselves. **Avoid the Trap of Consumerism** - Consumerism is deeply embedded in modern society, requiring a cultural shift. - Immediate Steps to Break Free: 1. Exercise Intellectual Independence: - Recognize how consumerism controls life. - Defend against external pressures. - Ignore advertising and think critically. - Question information and seek your own answers. 2. Consume Less, Live More: - Reflect on the influence of consumerism in your life. - Focus on what truly matters to you. - Live your life according to your values, not societal expectations.