My name is Aman Pabla and I believe materialism is big problem with little attention given to it. It’s a topic which is seen all throughout one’s day however, it is seen as normal. I am currently 17 years old in my final year in high school and as I reflect back on my life, I realize how much we want, need and obsess over inanimate objects. Everybody wants the newest, greatest and shiniest object no matter what. Now why is this? Simply it’s to fit in and be “accepted”. This is why we shop at certain places over another, buy certain products over another, etc. Now another really important thing is that we are constantly told that what we have sucks. Through television, internet, magazines, newspapers etc. We are told that our products are dated, not effective and not “up to date”. This makes us believe we must go out and buy the latest and greatest, the constant ideal of “keeping up with the joneses.  We’ve all done this and been through this. I remember when I camped outside a footlocker to buy a pair of shoes. Now these shoes do not make me faster, stronger or better the pair are just a regular pair of shoes. So what was the mentality to camp out? It’s because we are told we NEED these items and they will bring us happiness but this is simply un true.

 

We have all fallen for the “hype” built up for a product or two where we feel we must have it. This is because we are in a constant cycle. For adults the cycle is go to work to make money, for leisure go home and watch television or absorb any type of media. Here they are told what they have suck and that they suck. That they must go out and buy this “newer” “better” product in order for them to achieve happiness. So what happens is they get up, buy the product then go back to work to pay for the products. Then they go home tired and for leisure absorb media. Here they are again told what they have suck making them get up and buy more. Then go back to work etc. etc. 

 

 I feel that society now a days care more for inanimate objects now more than ever. I feel that this desire and passion for these products are getting to a point if not already at one where we start caring more for products than one another. I see this everywhere I go. People babying their objects, caring for them making sure nothing happens to them. I swear that people now a days care more for their phones than some of their friends. I believe that this is a problem that is being severely overlooked and not having enough attention placed to it.

 

This has to come to an end because how can we help people when we are too busy caring for inanimate objects. We’re too busy worrying about getting the latest and greatest then the billions of starving kids in the world. Too busy waiting in lines for products we don’t need instead of taking initiative and volunteering to help poverty. Too busy searching for the “best” products to give a damn about the millions of child soldiers around the wold. The moment we figure out that these products are just products that are not important in our lives will be the time for serious change. Imagine the world where everyone is as eager to achieve world peace as they are eager to be the first to have the newest smartphone.