Did any of you watch MTV's "The Hills" marathon two weekends ago?
Probably not. Oh, but I did.
Have I watched it before? Most definitely.
Do I think it's completely ridiculous? 100 percent.
Do I want the modest-version of Whitney's and Lauren's wardrobe. Yes please!
Probably not. Oh, but I did.
Have I watched it before? Most definitely.
Do I think it's completely ridiculous? 100 percent.
Do I want the modest-version of Whitney's and Lauren's wardrobe. Yes please!
Could my most recent purchase of totally adorable red-rose wedges been attributed to the fact it was shown on one of Lauren's runway models?
...almost entirely.
"To live in a consumer culture is not simply a matter of shopping, however; it is a matter of being. For a consumer society, you are what you consume, and the entire social and economic order is maintained by the constant encouragement to buy. The ubiquity of television and advertising in America is a direct result of this system, for these media deliver the constant stimulus to buy through avalanches of consuming images." Signs of Life in the USA, p. 83.
"The Hills," is just one of many reality shows who are delivering this message. It is painting a distorted view of reality by depicting the "reality" of LA girls (and boys I guess) who are going out to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, shopping 24/7, driving new cars every season, and of course, never wearing a single outfit twice. like, ever. In fact the whole show can be narrowed down into three words: consume, drama, and consume.
Hence our consumer culture today. Yes, there are many other factors and contributors to our consumer society, (see past class examples,) but I believe that our consumer culture today has a direct correlation to what we see actors and actresses consuming on our television screens everyday. (Reinforced by magazines, the Internet, etc...) And the need to buy and attain that "elite" social status. How do we do that? By consuming what they consume of course.
"The Hills," is just one of many reality shows who are delivering this message. It is painting a distorted view of reality by depicting the "reality" of LA girls (and boys I guess) who are going out to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, shopping 24/7, driving new cars every season, and of course, never wearing a single outfit twice. like, ever. In fact the whole show can be narrowed down into three words: consume, drama, and consume.
Hence our consumer culture today. Yes, there are many other factors and contributors to our consumer society, (see past class examples,) but I believe that our consumer culture today has a direct correlation to what we see actors and actresses consuming on our television screens everyday. (Reinforced by magazines, the Internet, etc...) And the need to buy and attain that "elite" social status. How do we do that? By consuming what they consume of course.
Maybe we are old enough to realize that not every 21 year old realistically has a closet full of Chanel handbags, but what message does this send high schoolers, a rising generation, across America? To consume more, spend more, expect more... because that's the "reality" of these girls and boys, is it not? :
My question to you is : Think about the things you consume. Why do you consume the things you do? Have you seen someone else wearing it, driving it, or even eating it before? What about the things you watch. Even if you don't watch TV regularly, when you flip through channels do you see a correlation between what you're wearing, driving, or eating and what people on the screen are wearing, driving, or eating? If not, what about your peers, students on campus or within our society? Do you see a direct correlation between our consumer culture because of our societies attempt to be viewed as a "social elite?"
24 comments:
I honestly believe I purchase what I do because of social circumstances surrounding me. More often than not, I am introduced to the media I view and partake of through suggestions from friends and family. The same can be said for my purchasing choices. I don't follow the media world as closely as I should as an advertising major, and it believe this is part of the reason I don't feel that the elitist society comes across all that much in our society, at least not in rural Indiana where I'm from.
I would like to believe that I am not influences to buy things because of my desire to become a "socialist" thought I do believe that I am influenced but food commercials. When I see delicious looking new food product my intrigue does kick in and I do have some desire to go and try it.
I feel like growing up and living in Utah has been a cultural experience different than that of other states. We have what is called the "Mormon Bunny Moms". I have seen them down here in Provo...but it is much worse up north in Draper where im from. They all wear designer jeans from Nordstrom, drive escalades and decked out other family cars. They are constantly competing with one another.. i think media plays a role in their consuming decisions but mostly its the competitive social surroundings they are happy to involve themselves with.
I think that our consumer choices are definitely shaped to a certain extent by media. Although we may watch a show like 'The Hills' and think it is completely ridiculous, I believe it has a lasting influence. The next time we are shopping for clothes, our opinions about what looks good and what we should buy, will be subconsciously affected by what we have been watching and confronted with in our daily lives.
For me, I don't really pay much mind to advertisements, unless I am already interested in that particular product or brand. However, when I see people wearing certain clothes or styles, I may be interested in it. For instance, I have always liked watching the TV show 24. And I have to say, that the shoulder bags that Jack Bauer has used in the past seasons have been awesome! Because I am interested in shoulder bags, and because Jack has an awesome one in a given season, I am interested in finding it so that I can have the shoulder bag. However, I do need to say that I don't want to look like Jack Bauer, just that I like his style or shoulder bag, so I go looking for it.
I think that especially at BYU, people are influenced more by the people around them than they are by the media. That is not to say that a lot of people are not influenced by the media, but I think that people mimic what they see in order to fit in and especially to compete. Even those that claim they don't want to dress like everyone else can be influenced by those around them, because they are trying to be different.
When first reading this blog post I believed that I was not heavily influenced by any TV show or celebrity lifestyle. However, I do have ideas in my head about what is ideal. So where do those ideas come from? Definitely the culture surrounding me. Even though I may decide what I wear, eat and consume based on what I see my friends and family consume, they have to get it from somewhere. And my thought is that these ideas most likely come from the pop culture displayed in TV shows and celebrity lifestyles....ironic.
I agree that I am influenced more by my peers and friends than I am by the media or advertisements. As "Boston Blake" said, advertisements really don't have an effect on me unless I already have some sort of interest in the product. But sometimes the people who know me personally may say something that sparks me to act or dress a different way. As my roommate (who works at Nordstrom, mind you) once told me, "Stacey, you can get ready and do your hair and make-up and everything, but if you just throw on a t-shirt and jeans, it gives off the impression that you don't really care about what you look like." I really appreciated that one...
I don't know how much of what I purchase is attributed to television commercials. I suppose that would be impossible to determine. However I do feel validated when I make a purchase and then see others using and enjoying the product I use (whether its product placement or just an excellent commercial). I have also noticed a huge change in my buying preferences since coming into the advertising program. I notice that when I find out about a really successful ad campaign I tend to think more kindly toward that brand (and even more kindly when I have to come up with my own ad campaign for a certain product). I think there really is something to be said for spending more time with a product. The more positive time you spend with a brand, the more affable you feel toward that brand.
I've never really paid much attention to what people wear on TV, let alone emulated it. I think that also has to do with body types, and how mine doesn't quite match that of the typical leading lady. Throw in immodesty, and there is just about nothing I would ever where. I also hate it when stylists get it all wrong and give actors nasty haircuts.
On occasion I do get really excited when I see celebs using the same thing as me. I bought the Lash-Blast mascara a while back and spazzed out when it was exactly the same thing Drew Barrymore was selling in the commercial. Not really because it was Drew Barrymore, but because it was on a commercial. In a sense my eyelashes are FAMOUS!
People definitely consume products to be considered “socially elite” – except for the weird ones. At least that’s how society views anyone with a different style, attitude or culture. It’s how we roll, and most people are completely okay knowing they’re purchasing something to be the best. There are, of course, people who go way overboard, but for the most part, people thoroughly enjoy dressing well, buying a lot and standing out because it makes them feel “good.” Don’t fit into this category? That’s probably because you’re one of the weird ones.
i don't know that i am so heavily influenced by the media and what i see on tv as i am what i see my peers wearing or buying. Sometimes when i go shopping i find myself picking out outfits i think are cute because i have seen someone wearing something similar before. So whether we are directly influenced by the media or affected by others who are affected by the media i definately think it affects our society more than we realize.
I definitely see a pattern in what I see on the channels that I watch and the products I consume. As we talked about in class discussion, I think that a lot of advertising is trying to sell identities to people who want to show the place that they occupy in society. The ironic thing is that in buying certain products, we reinforce this consumerist mentality. For example, someone sees an ad for North Face clothing, and then goes out and wears it, becoming a walking talking advertisement for the clothing. It is an interesting self reinforcing pattern that turns us into mini advertisers as we use the products we buy to show the world what kind of person we are. I'd like to believe that all the products I buy serve some function other than self promotion, but I don't know if I could honestly say that. It's an interesting question you pose about the nature of our consumerist society.
I think it's kind of a vicious cycle, the media reflects our society and in turn, our society reflects what is going on in the media. People may see actors on TV and want to be like them, but they also often just try to fit in with what they see around them. I think regardless of what we say, we are all influenced by both the media and society in some way, even if these two entities have forced some into a kind of counter-culture style.
I think people are influenced by media, whether it be indirectly or directly. Some people follow shows or regularly consume media convincing them to look a certain way or buy certain products. After some people catch on to these trends it can spread by other media, word of mouth, or by example from friends and family.
I recently bought a pair of running shoes. I thought that by purchasing an expensive pair of shoes, it would give me more incentive to actually go out and run. When making this purchase, I looked at a variety of shoe brands and styles, everything from Saucony to Nike. I went to one running shoe store and was assisted by a clerk who runs track and cross country for UVU. As I talked with him in depth about running shoes we got into the "culture" of runners and what specific shoe brands mean to runners. In the end, I went with a pair of Asics running shoes. Would another brand of shoe been just as good? Most likely. But I wanted to associate myself with the Asics running culture. To sum it up, I very much agree that we are influenced by our social circumstances and media also plays a huge role in forming our social norms. As much as someone may not want to be influenced by what is depicted through media, everyone is. From the trendy shopper to the counter culture goth. It is simply the way one reacts messages relayed by media that determines what culture someone will adopt.
I would definitely agree that I am in many ways influenced by other people to buy the things I do. If I see someone wearing something I like, I may buy a similar product. Considering the number of people, even if I tried to be original I feel I would still be ripping off someone out there.
I also think culture makes the socialite life seem rather glamorous. On Tv with shows like Gossip girl or the Hills, it can easily be seen why people strive to own Chanel purse. I know girls that aren't necessarily rich that have purchased these goods for hundreds of dollars, probably as a result of these kinds of media. It seems odd when viewed rationally. But, it may be a small price to pay for feeling accepted and part of society.
I am influenced by my peers to consume the things that I do. As all of us are Comms majors, I think we can all testify that the majority of girls in our major dress very, very well. I look at what the girls around me are wearing and, most of the time, I adjust my style to match theirs.
I purchase things that I think will improve me. Whether that be physically, socially, or emotionally. I think most people in the world buy things to impress others. The more expensive or exclusive the item, the better. We are constantly competing with others, and having to own the latest and greatest products definitely proves that.
I think people like to feel like they fit in. Some like to stick out with their styles, but for the most part we are influenced by the type of person we want to be and try to emulate them. Sometimes we don't like to admit though.
I think a lot of the way I dress and the kinds of activities I do are definitely influenced by my social group. I don't think I am influenced as much by TV shows, but I can see a direct correlation between what my friends and I wear. It's true that we alter our behaviors and appearance to fit in, because that's how we can fit into the "norm" of our friends, family, and acquaintances.
not going to lie. when I saw the first Twilight movie, I had to have a pair of raybans just like edward's. I left the theater and when across the way to the mall and used my christmas money to buy a pair. I would like to think that I'm above buying something just because I saw a actor wear it, but I'm not.
Although I don't like to think about it, I do believe that I have been influence by what the popular consumer culture thinks. I like trendy clothes...and I know that that idea comes from subcultures and pop culture.
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