Life and Capitalism

Yesterday the new iPhone 5 made its debut for the world to see. The reaction from many people on the internet was that of disappointment, mainly because there wasn't much of a change from its predecessor iPhone 4s. I believe that Apple do this on purpose because they know that any product they release, whether good or bad people will always buy. This is due to the brand "Apple" being very powerful in contemporary society. For example there are people out there who had bought iPhone 4 when it came out then went and later bought the iPhone 4s and will now be preparing to buy iPhone 5. In my eyes this is stupidity but then again I can't tell people how to spend their money. Like I always say "Apple" is capitalism at it's finest.

We live in a capitalist society which makes us think we always need to have the latest products, own designer labels and to have more than we already do. We are all victims to this. If I take myself as an example I spend a lot of my money on clothes, shoes and make up. The thing is I keep buying more of it when I already have a lot that I still haven't even used/worn. I never seem to be content with what I have, I always want more (I know you do too so don't judge me lol). The question is why is this? 

Here's the dictionary definition of capitalism: An economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.

In simple English this is basically companies and corporations who produce goods to sell to the mass population in order to make as much money as possible.

In order to achieve this objective people need to BUY products. To achieve this even further people need to buy products they do not need. For this to be happen people need to think that they need particular products that in reality, they don't actually need. This happens through brainwashing by the main culprit, the media. We are constantly bombarded with advertisements everywhere. Companies spend huge amounts of money on advertising alone. Even seeing the lavish lifestyles of celebrities, most of the time the average person wishes they were also living that kind of lifestyle. We always want more and this is what corporations want because if we became content with what we have corporations would lose large amounts of money and capitalism wouldn't be able to thrive.

We live in a society whereby money seems to be equated with success, status and power. This is a negative ideology. The amount of money you have should not define who you are, whether you are wealthy or not does not mean you are superior or inferior to anyone else. We tend to believe that having substantial money is the only thing that can make us truly happy.  In reality the more money you acquire the more greedy you become. A couple of months ago on the news a middle aged man who was a former Wall Street investment banker and Lawyer committed suicide. He was a very wealthy man who wanted more money so he set his mansion on fire so he could claim insurance money. Unfortunately, when he was found guilty of starting the fire he killed himself in the courtroom. At First I was thinking to myself why would he do such a thing when he was already rich? Another victim of capitalism 

Here is a quote I came across by Nick Vujicic

“Life isn't about having, it's about being. You could surround yourself with all that money can buy, and you'd still be as miserable as a human can be. I know people with perfect bodies who don't have half the happiness I've found. On my journeys I've seen more joy in the slums of Mumbai and the orphanages of Africa than in wealthy gated communities and on sprawling estates worth millions. Why is that? You'll find contentment when your talents and passion are completely engaged, in full force. Recognise instant self-gratification for what it is. Resist the temptation to grab for material objects like the perfect house, the coolest clothes or the hottest car. The if I just had X, I would be happy syndrome is a mass delusion. When you look for happiness in mere objects, they are never enough. Look around. Look within.”

This quote had really touched me. It is very true that in poorer countries people who have very little and lack basic needs tend to be much happier than those of us in wealthier countries where we essentially have all we need. This shows that true happiness is not based on materials and money. I'm not saying that you shouldn't earn money (after all we all have bills to pay) or to never buy yourself material things. My main point is that you shouldn't be so consumed by it that it becomes your sole purpose in life. "

Written by Dinah