Consumerism in Contemporary America - Essay Example

Introduction Consumerism is an important idea worth much concern in the business sector because of various reasons. For instance, alarm regarding consumption of products denotes completion of business objectives. The primary goal for establishing businesses in assorted areas is to gain profits. Increment in profits is through a rise in number of consumers on the produced products. The primary concern of this essay is to outlay consumerism in modern America using two distinguished essays “The Year Without Toilet Paper” and “Thoreau’s Worst Nightmare”. Herein, is a review of both essays and an analyses of the strength and weaknesses of the writer’s arguments. Finally, the paper entails a personal perspective in regards to the lessons learnt from “The Year Without Toilet Paper” and “Thoreau’s Worst Nightmare” articles. Summary of the “The Year Without Toilet Paper” and “Thoreau’s Worst Nightmare” The “Year Without Toilet” Paper falls within the article of “No Impact Man”, which is about Beavan, a man desiring to conserve the environment by neglecting commodities produced through modern technology. Beavan decides to live on earth and ensures there is use of affirmative commodities for the safety of nature. The “Thoreau’s Worst Nightmare” describes how different the early life of Walden is compared to the life of his children. Consumerism in America Consumerism refers to a situation where states desire to safeguard the interest of consumers pertaining to the products they (consumers) access, commodity pricing, and content of adverts. Consumerism in America entails an interest in improving consumption of manufactured products. Cornym states that changes in American’s economic status led to a concern in economic sector. Poor quality production in the manufacturing industries contributes to changes in customer preferences and hence decreases in the product demand. Services offered to customers determine the desire to go for other products of lesser costs to satisfy individual’s taste. Low incomes in the market industry disabling the processing departments result from a decrease in selling of products. The belief that security required during business transactions is by government officers, company accountants, and organization inspectors seized to be true certain grounds. The reason for the belief being false is because of increase in knowledge of people owning business entities. People with diversity in professional knowledge operate in different departments to guarantee growth of organizations under less expense (Cornym 2014). Perspectives of consumerism according to the two essays In the story of “The Year Without Toilet Paper”, the unusual product to satisfy individual needs elaborate that consumerism is significant only under some limits. Ways of protecting the surroundings include failure to use toilet paper, having a set day to bath (the family bathing from one washing basin of water), and the use of pieces of cloth instead of diapers. Individuals’ viewpoint about consumerism depends on perception of each person. For instance, in “The Year Without Toilet Paper” is useless and there is no need to purchase it as it spoils the planet earth. The essay depicts that people may use natural commodities for specific purposes instead of purchasing goods that hamper with the clean environment. There is ignorance of consumerism here due to the desire to safeguard the planet. On the other hand, the essay of “Thoreau’s Worst Nightmare” clearly portrays consumerism through several ways. For one, there is the children lack knowledge in reference to low class life. Efficacy of evaluation of consumerism according to the essays and objective of each writer The two essays fail to concur when it comes to consumerism view. Difference in perception pertaining consumption of various products denotes the reason for diversity in the thought of product utilization. The year without toilet paper is a way of showing that conserving nature is far more important than raising city state’s revenue through purchase of commodities (Cornym 2014). On the side of the “Thoreau’s Worst Nightmare” it is clear that the government or other people undertaking business transactions ought to devise ways of attracting more customers. An increment in the number of consumers is through changes in product quality and quantity. Strengths of the writer’s arguments People engaged in business ought to have much concern on the ways of increasing product sales. There are a number of strong points concerning the use of goods by contrasting writers. The strength of each writer’s argument depends on the perception one has in regard to the usage of commodities. For instance the story of “The year without toilet paper” is a fine illustration of reducing expenses in life. In contrast, Thoreau’s Worst Nightmare brings to light individuals need to use what is necessary to improve the standards of living (Cornym 2014). Weaknesses of the writer’s arguments There are limits in the use of commodities depending on the changes in the economy. “The Year Without Toilet Paper” has its own limitations in that it is unhygienic for individuals to blow off his or her using hands instead of disposable towels/toilet paper. The essay fails to meet the living values of people in modern world. On the other hand, “Thoreau’s Worst Nightmare” differs with the desire of individuals to save the environment from harm. According to Cornym 2014, purchase of first-class supplies contributes to ill environment, as people will have more waste thrown in different areas. The motive to have more customers on products lies behind desire to increase sales. Competition in the business world leads to reduction in certain commodity consumption. Having dissimilar commodities to satisfy similar need affects consumerism. Summary To sum up, establishment of manufacturing industries takes into consideration the desire to attract more consumers to maintain and lift up the total sales. According to the Cornym 2014, consuming products principally dominates other ways of raising sales. Consumerism is vital because of quite a few reasons. First, it helps in developing the economic position of countries making them (countries) be able to indulge in international trade market. Secondly, it helps in raising living status of people. People deserve to use commodities modernized to improve the status of living. Conclusion Individuals need to scrutinize all products suitable and available for use purposely to advance the life standards. Personally, consumerism is a poor way of advancing individuals’ lives reasonably because it fails to consider safety of human environment. Expenditure of produce fails to reflect on the capability of different individuals. Business controllers need to adopt better ways of reaching consumers in different areas not only through pricing strategy but also through product knowledge. Therefore, it is worth concluding that manufacturing industries should produce products of affordable prices. Such products should meet environmental concern of recycling waste. Works Cited Cornym, John. The Crisis of American Consumerism. 27 February, 2014. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amitai-etzioni/the-crisis-of-american-co_b_1855390.html Read More