Waseda & Colorado Cyber Space Project

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Chapter 5 - Materialism

Were you a material child? Write about it here.

posted by Vicky at 12:00 AM

9 Comments:

  • I spent a year in American public high school in a rural area, and then I transfered to a private school in an affluent suburb. Something interesting that I noticed in the transition was that the two schools had very different consumption style and ideas of fashion. People preferred different styles and different brands.

    I also experienced "what you buy is who you are" sort of attitude at times. I remember one of my friends referring to a girl as a spoiled and sheltered suburban child on the account of expensive premium jeans she was wearing. It is hard to deny that people formed certain ideas about other people from the things they wear or use. Things that you have told about your economic and cultural background. People assumed somebody with a Ralph Lauren sweater and L.L.Bean backpack to be a suburban child from a rich, white family, and so on.

    By Blogger D., at 3:49 AM  

  • まちがいないアメリカの学校はIpodの社会です、、、

    By Blogger Ian Torao Hoffecker, at 11:19 AM  

  • Here in colorado materialism is most frequent among rich kids in sororities and fraternities. Materialism is more important among girls. You will see girls from soroities with gucci sunglasses and louie vitton purses with amber crombie and fitch clothing. It also shows that you are rich when you can afford to go to a salon. most sororitiy girls have highlighted blonde hair or fancy hair cuts. Rich frat boys usually drive nice cars or show off that they can buy expensive alcohol.

    By Blogger Michelle, at 12:28 PM  

  • I probably fall into the "I don't care" camp, but like md said, I haven't seen a whole lot of materialism discrimination after high school. In high school, people made a big deal out of the brand of clothes you wore or the type of car you drove. Now, it seems like a its not really that big of a deal which shirt you wear. The only materialism fad I've noticed at CU is the iPod.

    By Blogger Troyen, at 12:36 PM  

  • I think Emily is right. It really has more to do with the person than anything else. I like clothes, but I dont care about designers or brands, and a lot of the prices are ridiculous. But the people that love those things are willing pay, just like my friends and I are willing to pay $50-60 dollars on a single video game.

    My father, sister and I are in love with books and we buy and read as many as we can. We can't really let go of them and have more books than we do bookcases. My mother however, is a bit of a minimalist, so when we moved she tried to get rid of a ton of stuff (including our books), but my Father and siter made it really difficult.

    As for my own materialism, it's definately books and video games. If I had the money then I would probably have the Japanese consoles and games as well. As it is, I can barely afford the American versions (PS3!) of new consoles and games. If money wasn't an issue though, I would have many more games and consoles than I do right now. (PS3!!! Wii!!! ZELDA!!!)

    The PS3 just came out in Japan, but I heard only 100,000 were released? Are there any Waseda students who wanted (or bought) one? Or any Colorado students excited about the U.S. release?

    By Blogger :D, at 12:39 PM  

  • yeah me too...

    By Blogger felixthecat, at 12:36 PM  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger MJ, at 7:36 AM  

  • I think I am also a meterrial child because I buy the things which is recomennded in the books or my firends.It is true that my desire is controlled by media.I try not to be inffluenced by a trend, but I buy it finally.

    By Blogger MJ, at 7:38 AM  

  • I felt very similar when I was in japan as well...

    By Blogger felixthecat, at 10:38 AM  

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