It hasn't been long time since people noticed that there happened the weird phenomenon especially in developed countries that people need to consume more and more, and never be satisfied with their condition. This is called 'Affluenza', nominated by a renowned Australian sociologist. Despite the ongoing controversy whether it really exists or not, I firmly believe its substance.
The first reason people cannot satisfy with those they already acquired is stronlgly interconnected with their biological instinct. Human being is innately built up getting accustomed with his surrounding, otherwise they can suffer forever by a single stimuli. Though this trait is beneficial sometimes to forget the hardness of the life, however, it also provokes people to crave more and more. Whatever they got before, they will be accustomed with them. Thus, people become less happy with their possession because it cannot provide any surprise to its owners anymore.
Not only the biological setting, the increased criteria of the society also makes people unappreciated with what they have. This is more severe in developed countris because an overall developed society means that the criteria of 'normal' or 'median' is set up too high for people to meet. For example, in U.S. what "middle class" means a fancy house in suburban and a nice car, regardless how it sounds surreal to the people in the 3rd world.
In addition, this high standard of living often results in the conspicuous consumption which drives people to eager more and more. The rampant urbanization led to the highly competitive atmosphere everywhere, thus people are trying to identify themselves by their possession. For example, they feel as if they were upgraded when they wear Channel or Prada. As a result, they need something more extravagant and luxurious, not the familiar things they have used until this morning.
To sum up, I strongly insist there exists the insane movement to make people unsatisfied with their lives and need more nowadays. Because of this "Affluenza", I also assert that here we need some ways to stop this, unless we want to face the future that every resources is depleted up by the ceaseless desire of human being. |