Do we live in a consumerist society?

[Mr H]

Everywhere I seem to turn, something or someone wants to.consume me.

 

The internet, full of marketing and ads, the high street. Pretty much everywhere someone wants to sell me some shit.

 

This also I observed occurs in relationships of most types. People want to consume something from another.

 

I'm wondering if this is a reflection and extension of the loosh? As they spend their lives consuming energy.....

 

Whatever happened to sharing/ giving?

[lobster]

38 minutes ago, Mr H said:

Everywhere I seem to turn, something or someone wants to.consume me.

 

The internet, full of marketing and ads, the high street. Pretty much everywhere someone wants to sell me some shit.

 

This also I observed occurs in relationships of most types. People want to consume something from another.

 

I'm wondering if this is a reflection and extension of the loosh? As they spend their lives consuming energy.....

 

Whatever happened to sharing/ giving?

Yea, but try and buy something and you are generally treated with complete indifference, particularly in store, but on line isn't a lot better

[lobster]

1 hour ago, Mr H said:

Everywhere I seem to turn, something or someone wants to.consume me.

 

The internet, full of marketing and ads, the high street. Pretty much everywhere someone wants to sell me some shit.

 

This also I observed occurs in relationships of most types. People want to consume something from another.

 

I'm wondering if this is a reflection and extension of the loosh? As they spend their lives consuming energy.....

 

Whatever happened to sharing/ giving?

The nature of a society, where people by new stuff they don't need. Means you can live in the shadows, buying the stuff they had before, very cheaply

[LastOneLeftInTheCounty]

Everything nowadays is shit.

Nothings made to last- on purpose, so we keep buying. 
 

Manufacturer’s have a standard decent product, but water it down or make it weaker or spread it out into various different forms not fit for purpose so there’ll always be a constant need to buy.

 

We don’t need 95% of the crap we buy, but it sparks off a dopamine rush which is the reward for our servitude. 
 

You can have all the shit in the world and it’ll make no difference

[lobster]

11 minutes ago, LastOneLeftInTheCounty said:

Everything nowadays is shit.

Nothings made to last- on purpose, so we keep buying. 
 

Manufacturer’s have a standard decent product, but water it down or make it weaker or spread it out into various different forms not fit for purpose so there’ll always be a constant need to buy.

 

We don’t need 95% of the crap we buy, but it sparks off a dopamine rush which is the reward for our servitude. 
 

You can have all the shit in the world and it’ll make no difference

People, mostly my sister's, think I'm mad, that I could afford new stuff, but instead choose " old crap" that people don't want and or needs fixing, to the point that one of them would rather take stuff to the tip than give it me, one )she thinks it encourages my madness and two) I end up with stuff nearly as good as hers for nothing which really pissed her off.

 

I get my dopamine rush from getting stuff for next to nothing, with a double dose if I fix it

 

 

Edited December 10, 2024 by lobster

[Campion]

On 12/9/2024 at 3:10 PM, Mr H said:

Whatever happened to sharing/ giving?

  

I'm a fan of second hand stuff, I'm always snooping round charity shops and those free giveaway websites, as well as old stuff on ebay.  I couldn't care less about fashions and brand names which are a mug's game imo. Plus I get through loads of glue, sellotape, needle & cotton mending stuff before I throw it away. 

 

But yeah, you're right that we live in a consumerist or rather consuming society which relies on a high level of waste, so much so that without it we'd fall into a recession.  

 

Interesting comparison with relationships too ...  I guess the imperative of highly egotistic people is to get things for themselves. 

[Mr H]

2 hours ago, LastOneLeftInTheCounty said:

 

 

We don’t need 95% of the crap we buy, but it sparks off a dopamine rush which is the reward for our servitude. 
 

You can have all the shit in the world and it’ll make no difference

The amusing thing is. The "joy" or the dopamine - is prevalent in the anticipation of the purchase. Once you buy the fooker, fun is over, sling it in the cupboard and salivate and dream about the upcoming purchase...

[Mr H]

1 minute ago, Campion said:

  

I'm a fan of second hand stuff, I'm always snooping round charity shops and those free giveaway websites, as well as old stuff on ebay.  I couldn't care less about fashions and brand names which are a mug's game imo. Plus I get through loads of glue, sellotape, needle & cotton mending stuff before I throw it away. 

 

But yeah, you're right that we live in a consumerist or rather consuming society which relies on a high level of waste, so much so that without it we'd fall into a recession.  

 

Interesting comparison with relationships too ...  I guess the imperative of highly egotistic people is to get things for themselves. 

Yes, it is rare to meet someone who genuinely wants nothing from you, other than to share your company....

 

And it's usually because they don't have that thing they get from you, themselves. Instead of cultivating themselves they'd rather suck it from you, like a loosh!

[Campion]

4 minutes ago, Mr H said:

Yes, it is rare to meet someone who genuinely wants nothing from you, other than to share your company....

 

And it's usually because they don't have that thing they get from you, themselves. Instead of cultivating themselves they'd rather suck it from you, like a loosh!

  

Indeed, and the loosh theory is probably the origin of vampire mythology which is a kind of hidden teaching about shape-shifting energy suckers.  In fact I suspect a lot of folklore, mythology and fairy stories contains hidden esoteric meanings. 

[Mr H]

I also made a proposal for an alternative to this loosh society we find ourselves in..

 

Probably not very well thought out tbh, but was the best I could come up with whilst taking a crap..

 

https://forum.davidicke.com/index.php?/topic/37256-what-would-a-transactionless-society-look-like/

Edited December 10, 2024 by Mr H

[Mr H]

4 minutes ago, Campion said:

  

Indeed, and the loosh theory is probably the origin of vampire mythology which is a kind of hidden teaching about shape-shifting energy suckers.  In fact I suspect a lot of folklore, mythology and fairy stories contains hidden esoteric meanings. 

Oh yeah, I never thought about that. Awesome observation...

[LastOneLeftInTheCounty]

1 hour ago, Campion said:

Plus I get through loads of glue, sellotape, needle & cotton mending stuff before I throw it away. 

Yep this is a great modus, been doing something similar lately.

For example, I had four pairs of winter socks- two wool and two polyester, that were completely beyond use- full or holes and worn out in the toes and heels.

Instead of buying new and throwing them out, I spent a couple of evenings and stitched up all the holes, then cut off the toes and ankles of one pair each of poly and wool, then reinforced the remaining pairs by stitching cut toes over the toe parts and ankle pieces to the heels. Now I have two pairs of heavily reinforced winter socks that are better than the originals. Nice. 

[LastOneLeftInTheCounty]

1 hour ago, Mr H said:

The amusing thing is. The "joy" or the dopamine - is prevalent in the anticipation of the purchase. Once you buy the fooker, fun is over, sling it in the cupboard and salivate and dream about the upcoming purchase...

This is so true. I used to fall for this game. A couple of days after you’ve recieved the item it wears off.

 

I used to extend the dope fix, by returning the item once I’d tried it.

The moment I get refunded it all wears off and I find myself browsing more sites.

Thankfully I managed to realise what I was doing, but it goes to show you the power this consumerist culture coupled with brain manipulating marketing has over even seemingly informed people. Boredom has a lot to do with it too. And wanting to be seen as ‘cool’. ‘Cool’ doesn’t even exist, it’s all bollocks 

[lobster]

15 minutes ago, LastOneLeftInTheCounty said:

Yep this is a great modus, been doing something similar lately.

For example, I had four pairs of winter socks- two wool and two polyester, that were completely beyond use- full or holes and worn out in the toes and heels.

Instead of buying new and throwing them out, I spent a couple of evenings and stitched up all the holes, then cut off the toes and ankles of one pair each of poly and wool, then reinforced the remaining pairs by stitching cut toes over the toe parts and ankle pieces to the heels. Now I have two pairs of heavily reinforced winter socks that are better than the originals. Nice. 

Many years ago at college, we were asked what our ambitions were. After all the head of ICI etal dreams. I stated mine was to be rich enough to never wear the same pair of socks twice, which got a laugh, however I achieved my ambition, not sure any of the others did. 

 

However in the spirit of the thread. They get used as cleaning cloths and occasionally toilet paper

[Mr H]

10 minutes ago, LastOneLeftInTheCounty said:

This is so true. I used to fall for this game. A couple of days after you’ve recieved the item it wears off.

 

I used to extend the dope fix, by returning the item once I’d tried it.

The moment I get refunded it all wears off and I find myself browsing more sites.

Thankfully I managed to realise what I was doing, but it goes to show you the power this consumerist culture coupled with brain manipulating marketing has over even seemingly informed people. Boredom has a lot to do with it too. And wanting to be seen as ‘cool’. ‘Cool’ doesn’t even exist, it’s all bollocks 

I think one of my ex's used to do that, buy stuff, wear it, take it back ...

 

To extend. This is why people are not happy all the time.

 

Happiness I suggest, is part of you. Not something outside of you that gives it to you.

 

It's like (happiness) a continual radio noise in the background. If you notice happiness doesn't change. It's always the same

 

But because of consumerist society, we are taught that stuff, or other people or experiences can make us happy. So we veil our true nature (happiness ) in ignorance, and we only allow the veil to open and shut like a flap door on the occasions we permit ourselves too, i.e. when we go on that holiday, meet that girl, buy those fancy shoes you always wanted. Then you go back to default misery or neutral, in pursuit of the next happiness quest; when all you needed to do was peak beyond the veil. It's always their waiting for you in the background. It needs no cause and certainly cannot be acquired.

 

[LastOneLeftInTheCounty]

20 minutes ago, Mr H said:

I think one of my ex's used to do that, buy stuff, wear it, take it back ...

 

To extend. This is why people are not happy all the time.

 

Happiness I suggest, is part of you. Not something outside of you that gives it to you.

 

It's like (happiness) a continual radio noise in the background. If you notice happiness doesn't change. It's always the same

 

But because of consumerist society, we are taught that stuff, or other people or experiences can make us happy. So we veil our true nature (happiness ) in ignorance, and we only allow the veil to open and shut like a flap door on the occasions we permit ourselves too, i.e. when we go on that holiday, meet that girl, buy those fancy shoes you always wanted. Then you go back to default misery or neutral, in pursuit of the next happiness quest; when all you needed to do was peak beyond the veil. It's always their waiting for you in the background. It needs no cause and certainly cannot be acquired.

 

Yeah , it’s unspoken, undefined.

 

I suppose ‘them’ trying to define it for us- package it up in a consumer product- something to ‘aspire’ to by exchanging money for dreams or status, is why things are the way they are. But it’s a little deeper than that

[LastOneLeftInTheCounty]

30 minutes ago, lobster said:

Many years ago at college, we were asked what our ambitions were. After all the head of ICI etal dreams. I stated mine was to be rich enough to never wear the same pair of socks twice, which got a laugh, however I achieved my ambition, not sure any of the others did. 

 

However in the spirit of the thread. They get used as cleaning cloths and occasionally toilet paper

Aah those soggy toilet socks, how accomplished they make thee, their sweet touch bringeth comfort to thy anoos 

[Katsika]

12 hours ago, LastOneLeftInTheCounty said:

This is so true. I used to fall for this game. A couple of days after you’ve recieved the item it wears off.

 

I used to extend the dope fix, by returning the item once I’d tried it.

The moment I get refunded it all wears off and I find myself browsing more sites.

Thankfully I managed to realise what I was doing, but it goes to show you the power this consumerist culture coupled with brain manipulating marketing has over even seemingly informed people. Boredom has a lot to do with it too. And wanting to be seen as ‘cool’. ‘Cool’ doesn’t even exist, it’s all bollocks 

Good grief - how old were you when you realised?

 

I greatly admire your sewing skills

[LastOneLeftInTheCounty]

It only lasted a couple of months, it was after I got this infernal smartphone. Also quit weed and tobacco around the same time so was twiddling thumbs bouncing off the walls looking for something to fill the dopamine gap.

 

Like I said - thankfully I realised, and got some decent outdoor garments that I kept- from my short dance with the devil 

[peter]

On 12/10/2024 at 1:10 AM, Mr H said:

Whatever happened to sharing/ giving?

Personally I don't sell anything thing, I will use items for a while then give them away, over the years I have given thousands of dollars worth of RC model aircraft and associated equipment to different people, my misses does volunteer work around town, we have a car each one 20 years old and the other 23,I just keep fixing them ,I'm also a dab hand with a needle and thread. Shopping gives me the shits, if I actually need something and can't make it I will ring around find the best price and closest proximity drive there and come straight back, browsing aka window shopping is certainly not on the radar

PS it's amazing how you can turn a crappy pair of jeans into a good pair of shorts

[Mr H]

19 minutes ago, peter said:

Personally I don't sell anything thing, I will use items for a while then give them away, over the years I have given thousands of dollars worth of RC model aircraft and associated equipment to different people, my misses does volunteer work around town, we have a car each one 20 years old and the other 23,I just keep fixing them ,I'm also a dab hand with a needle and thread. Shopping gives me the shits, if I actually need something and can't make it I will ring around find the best price and closest proximity drive there and come straight back, browsing aka window shopping is certainly not on the radar

PS it's amazing how you can turn a crappy pair of jeans into a good pair of shorts

That's awesome dude. And good to know to get balanced perspective, not all humans are selfish so en sos

[Mr Crabtree]

16 hours ago, Campion said:

  

I'm a fan of second hand stuff, I'm always snooping round charity shops and those free giveaway websites, as well as old stuff on ebay.  I couldn't care less about fashions and brand names which are a mug's game imo. Plus I get through loads of glue, sellotape, needle & cotton mending stuff before I throw it away. 

 

But yeah, you're right that we live in a consumerist or rather consuming society which relies on a high level of waste, so much so that without it we'd fall into a recession.  

 

Interesting comparison with relationships too ...  I guess the imperative of highly egotistic people is to get things for themselves. 

Big tellies, a must have for many people, our friend has one in the kitchen, one in the living room and a slightly smaller one in their bedroom?When I asked why? she said 'it feels like you're in a cinema' Her daughter and her daughter's girlfriend are the same, their flat seems to have a complete change every few months, her daughter had nothing as a child, and now seems to be making up for it big style! The daughter has two jobs, her girlfriend has three jobs, and are hardly ever at home, so they work to pay for stuff that they hardly have time to use anyway! 

[Mr H]

22 minutes ago, Mr Crabtree said:

Big tellies, a must have for many people, our friend has one in the kitchen, one in the living room and a slightly smaller one in their bedroom?When I asked why? she said 'it feels like you're in a cinema' Her daughter and her daughter's girlfriend are the same, their flat seems to have a complete change every few months, her daughter had nothing as a child, and now seems to be making up for it big style! The daughter has two jobs, her girlfriend has three jobs, and are hardly ever at home, so they work to pay for stuff that they hardly have time to use anyway! 

It's similar to the city Boyz, working all hours, buying a beautiful second home in the south of France, just so the maid there can enjoy the pool

[lobster]

50 minutes ago, Mr Crabtree said:

Big tellies, a must have for many people, our friend has one in the kitchen, one in the living room and a slightly smaller one in their bedroom?When I asked why? she said 'it feels like you're in a cinema' Her daughter and her daughter's girlfriend are the same, their flat seems to have a complete change every few months, her daughter had nothing as a child, and now seems to be making up for it big style! The daughter has two jobs, her girlfriend has three jobs, and are hardly ever at home, so they work to pay for stuff that they hardly have time to use anyway! 

Big tellies are pretty amazing, I've wanted one since the early 70s when I watched Fahrenheit 451.

I've a 50 inch, which isn't all that big anymore, that someone gave me. It's an older model that weighs much the same as a gas cooker, fixing it to the wall took some clever engineering,  could have just bought the proper brackets, but where is the fun in that. A week later someone offered me another one, but I turned it down, the house already looks like cash converters

Edited December 11, 2024 by lobster

[lobster]

I'm in the market for a new tablet, I've got it in mind to buy a Microsoft surface Pro  13 inch tablet and put Linux on it. But people are asking far to much for a 7 year old computer, in that they want about £ 150 , where I want to pay about half that. I can buy a brand Lenovo 10 inch for a £120

Edited December 11, 2024 by lobster