Consumption of Consumption: Eat this.

Twitchell shines a light on the benefits of materialism in our world, especially in our country. As Americans we top the list of consumers. This way of life defines us. But would we be the powerhouse we are without the spending habits we “enjoy”? If this spending creates happiness, will our happiness spread around the world as well, or just our debt?

Could the spread of these habits increase the dept of other countries as well? As Twitchell points out, European countries frown upon our spending habits. In reality these habits allow us to have four times the amount of belongings than people in these countries (Twitchell 389). We have become so accustom to purchasing that we define ourselves by our possessions. The purchasing of “goods” has even found our ay into our social classes. Twitchell points out that “ the poor are after[…] association, affiliation, inclusion, [and]magical purpose,” all of which can be purchased in America(Twitchell 393). It is almost sad that our society is defined by money, but it is also exciting that our social classes do not limit people by race or parents occupation. With capitalism everyone has an equal shot at success.

We define people by lifestyle; good or bad, this trend is taking off (Twitchell 396). The idea of consumerism is growing as rapidly as capitalism has. Russia and China are both “playing catch up” with our expenditure (Twitchell389). It is not secret that the average American is in dept at an early age. It is not just spending habits that get us there; it is the combination of these habits and the availability of easy credit (Twitchell 392). I guess the two are both products of capitalism. Hopefully the negative side of consumerism does not consume the world as quickly as capitalistic ideals have, at least not before we can find a happy balance.