Deprogramming Consumers

[Klepto]

I'm toying with the idea of writing a deprogramming guide with respect to consumerism. There are a lot of my friends and also my #1 daughter and her friends who are so enraptured by the sparkly glitz that's shoveled in through their senses that they seem to me to have lost touch with reality. I know a lot of people who come to me begging for a loan of money because they have spent their last on cheap plastic toys for their kids, or some third rate Hollywood movie on pay-for-view TV, or a package holiday to the med, or a new mobile phone or some other piece of consumer junk, or interest payments on debts. Many of these people have higher incomes and less financial responsibilities then me but that doesn't seem to help them. I try to advise them but they don't seem to understand, I feel I should write it all down. People need help.

I would appreciate any advice on how to go about this and any essays that may be relevant. Please bear in mind that I'm aiming this at people who have little or no political or economic consciousness.

[Hit The North]

Why do you think consumers are "programmed"?

[KC]

I'm toying with the idea of writing a deprogramming guide with respect to consumerism. There are a lot of my friends and also my #1 daughter and her friends who are so enraptured by the sparkly glitz that's shoveled in through their senses that they seem to me to have lost touch with reality. I know a lot of people who come to me begging for a loan of money because they have spent their last on cheap plastic toys for their kids, or some third rate Hollywood movie on pay-for-view TV, or a package holiday to the med, or a new mobile phone or some other piece of consumer junk, or interest payments on debts. Many of these people have higher incomes and less financial responsibilities then me but that doesn't seem to help them. I try to advise them but they don't seem to understand, I feel I should write it all down. People need help.1. Spend less.
2. Earn more.
3. Debt is bad. Don't accumulate any unless it's absolutely necessary or unless you have a payment plan for it.

What else is there to say?

[Idealism]

Why do you think consumers are "programmed"?

I dont know about other countries, but in the U.S. there is constant advertising, the only way you could get away from the constant "BUY!BUY!BUY!" is to live in the woods.

[Klepto]

1. Spend less.
2. Earn more.
3. Debt is bad. Don't accumulate any unless it's absolutely necessary or unless you have a payment plan for it.

What else is there to say?

Yes, I agree, but often when I tell people that they don't get it. Some people are not prepared to be reasonable about these things, the stimulated lust for consumption is too strong. How can I reverse a lifetime's exposure to advertising and other pro-consumerist propaganda? What is the best way to go about this? Should I just give up and accept that some people are casualties of our desire driven economy?

[KC]

Yes, I agree, but often when I tell people that they don't get it. Some people are not prepared to be reasonable about these things, the stimulated lust for consumption is too strong. How can I reverse a lifetime's exposure to advertising and other pro-consumerist propaganda? What is the best way to go about this? Should I just give up and accept that some people are casualties of our desire driven economy?

You accept the fact that people are different than you, and if they want to make decisions that you deem stupid then they are able to, and that you are not able to change that.