Spaces and exchanges : how can people change their consumer habits ?

Notion N°2 : SPACES AND EXCHANGES

I’m going to talk about the notion of Spaces and exchanges, more precisely the theme of mass consumption.

First of all I would like to give a definition of this notion. So, exchange is a continuous output of products, a continuous movement or circulation of all types of exchanges : people, trade, media etc… It can be also be a general movement or tendency.

So, to illustrate that notion, I have chosen 3 documents about the : «Alternative Us flag », « Black Friday » and «Buy nothing day » which have helped me to find an answer to this question : How can people change their consumer habits?

Indeed our society today is pushed to the overconsumption.

I’ll start by talking about the importance of consumption in our society, then I’ll show you the extent of this overconsumption and what are the alternatives put in place to counter this mass consumption. Finally, I’ll give you my opinion on the question.

First, I would like to talk about the Alternative US Flag. This flag are logos instead of the stars. It represents our consumption society. Indeed, the message conveyed by this alternative flag is the USA are mostly influenced by brands. It can be represents the « American way of life », the power of buy and buy everywhere and every time to follow the influence.

Then in the second document it’s deal with the Black Friday. Indeed, this is the name given to the shopping day after Thanksgiving (29 November).

It was originally called « Black Friday » because the volume of shoppers created traffic accident and sometimes even violence.

This phenomena is a key date for knock down prices. In the USA, Black Friday will also become the launch day of Christmas advertising campaigns in America and now in most countries of the world. It is during the last decade that Black Friday has become a worldwide phenomenon.

Finally, I talk about the «Buy nothing day». is a day of protest against consumerism and the influence of advertising on our life. it’s an alternative for the overconsumption, is when you challenge yourself, your friends and your family to switch off from shopping and tune into life. This movement shows society that we can live without superficial things that pollute our lives. In fact, thanks to Buy Nothing Day, people understand that they buy without wondering if they really need it. This illustration, is a awareness, it’s shows us a price tag and inside we can see the people which prisoner into the price tag.

In conclusion, we live in a consumer society that influences you to buy and buy to follow the American way of life with the influence of Black Friday for example. But, fortunately, this is starting to change, many movements are appearing to cope whit over consumption. But is going to be a long and hard way that guides you to liberty.

In my opinion, all of us have to work to build a better society independent of global companies and the material way of life.

To open whit a question, how will be the future if our society was not an over consumerism society ?

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