I would have quoted the whole thing in a restack if I could!! I really admire the empathy you always bring to your writing that brings out the “why” at the heart of any conversation!
oh yes, I remember the illicit thrill when I first entered an Abercrombie and Fitch, though I never felt at home there I was so certain an overpriced sweater would ensure my social status for life! (my mum also hated being dragged around the mall).
I found this text very interesting and thought-provoking! It brought back some old memories from my teenage years. While I agree with the idea of the desire to belong, I also think we are drawn to certain products because of the lifestyle and ideals they represent, along with the images they evoke. These products offer a promise of attaining a certain level of status, which brings “happiness and fulfillment”. It's like being at the top of the pyramid, with all the benefits that come with the purchase, only that you do not have to prove yourself because the product is representative of that illusionary achievement.
I really loved this whole piece–I remember how cool I felt walking around my own mall with my first Forever 21 bag and how it felt like I was proving to my peers I knew how to be one of them. And I think it is so true that part of consumerism is getting that metaphorical access pass to community (or at least the appearance of community!).
I do wonder how much the decay of product reviews on sites like amazon and the way fake reviews & products take advantage of things like keyword stuffing to dominate search engine results has led to people relying on influencer "recommendations" (promotions, really) more notably than in the past, or exacerbated the trend of consumers opting for the most popular option. Obviously there's something more emotional happening behind those who camp out for new releases and collect various colors and such, but I do think there's a notable frustration happening as higher cost of living, low wages, floods of fake products & reviews, and little quality control over consumer products all converge–which all could factor into these sort of hegemonic culture choices as people try to spend their money wisely. The popularity seems like it almost functions as a dependable product review, so unremarkable products (like the Stanley cups) get inexplicably popular.
I also felt like a threshold had been crossed the first time I entered a Forever 21. I rarely got to buy stuff from the mall as is—I was raised in a Walmart and secondhand household lol—so the first time I bought something from there, it also felt like entering a different world from a financial point of view. I think this definitely plays a part in this cultural brand obsession, finally being able to afford the things everyone else is buying and getting to be part of that community.
I would have quoted the whole thing in a restack if I could!! I really admire the empathy you always bring to your writing that brings out the “why” at the heart of any conversation!
I recently starting reading your publication and I love the way you write. You are so witty and wise and really have something to say! Loved this!
“Mindfully paying attention to what truly sparks joy”. I am going to practice this week ! Thank you !
…’what truly sparks joy internally’… 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️
oh yes, I remember the illicit thrill when I first entered an Abercrombie and Fitch, though I never felt at home there I was so certain an overpriced sweater would ensure my social status for life! (my mum also hated being dragged around the mall).
great piece ❣️
I found this text very interesting and thought-provoking! It brought back some old memories from my teenage years. While I agree with the idea of the desire to belong, I also think we are drawn to certain products because of the lifestyle and ideals they represent, along with the images they evoke. These products offer a promise of attaining a certain level of status, which brings “happiness and fulfillment”. It's like being at the top of the pyramid, with all the benefits that come with the purchase, only that you do not have to prove yourself because the product is representative of that illusionary achievement.
I really loved this whole piece–I remember how cool I felt walking around my own mall with my first Forever 21 bag and how it felt like I was proving to my peers I knew how to be one of them. And I think it is so true that part of consumerism is getting that metaphorical access pass to community (or at least the appearance of community!).
I do wonder how much the decay of product reviews on sites like amazon and the way fake reviews & products take advantage of things like keyword stuffing to dominate search engine results has led to people relying on influencer "recommendations" (promotions, really) more notably than in the past, or exacerbated the trend of consumers opting for the most popular option. Obviously there's something more emotional happening behind those who camp out for new releases and collect various colors and such, but I do think there's a notable frustration happening as higher cost of living, low wages, floods of fake products & reviews, and little quality control over consumer products all converge–which all could factor into these sort of hegemonic culture choices as people try to spend their money wisely. The popularity seems like it almost functions as a dependable product review, so unremarkable products (like the Stanley cups) get inexplicably popular.
I also felt like a threshold had been crossed the first time I entered a Forever 21. I rarely got to buy stuff from the mall as is—I was raised in a Walmart and secondhand household lol—so the first time I bought something from there, it also felt like entering a different world from a financial point of view. I think this definitely plays a part in this cultural brand obsession, finally being able to afford the things everyone else is buying and getting to be part of that community.
Capitalism culture of the US.