Image via CrunchBaseAs a corollary to my earlier post "Dony's three laws of purchasing," I came by a few more after having read two interesting articles. I will be compiling and polishing them as time permits. Here are the articles that mirrored some of my thoughts and inspired a few more.The first one is about the general impetuousness of consumerism, where only the latest and best gadgets will fill the pseudo void crafted by the marketers subversive socio-engineering. By tinkering with market demand. supply. and product revamp and redeployment, a veritable techno lust is created whereby the masses seek ever sophisticated gadgets whose full utility and underpinnings take a backseat to the instant gratification from owning the latest techno item. --> [ The bleeding-edge gadget binge will lead to an economic hangover. by Donovan Colbert ]
The second stakes right at the heart of the one of the most famous icons on the planet today in terms of up-class consumerism: Apple. --> "It's a dangerous time to buy Apple products" by Matt Buchanan.
Verily few entities manage to slip past my defenses when my very core denounces their offerings as over bloated, overpriced, proprietary entrapment which have little to offer. Case in point, the Mac OS. I've only ever had the privilege to use it while in design school for two years. For nearly half the time I was confined to a Mac workflow. Travesty. Shiny as it may be, I'll pass. However, the Ipod series, specifically, the touch series drew me. The one time an Apple product hadn't completely
Thankfully the mind control has only lasted to that item. Price wise and utility wise, the Iphone and Ipads have very little gravity. The Ipod touch is economically viable from a value standpoint only after numerous price drops. Even then, an used or refurbished one which lessens the price to value/utility ratio will be my most likely purchase.
Proprietary clout, dogged marketing schemes, supply chain monoplies, network carrier tie ins are all the in game tactics employed by these power players. The hapless consumer is trapped in an eco system where each hit lasts a lot less longer than the last and costs the same if not more. The cost isn't entirely monetary, the soul pays as well.
In short, marketing ploys by savvy social engineers should not cloud your judgement when it comes to purchases. Any technological device should present high levels of value for worth and return on personal investment by increasing efficiency, productivity, functionality and enhancing or facilitating latent potential than without it. A mere fashion requirement of status symbol does not cut it. These should be driving forces to your technology investment as an individual, not the ulterior, pre-fabricated notions impinged by companies' profiteering plans. If you abstain from the spells of these companies long enough to see clearly, then your decision making in terms of needs over wants will kick in and aid you as well.
Coming soon...
"Are 'smart' technologies actually making us dumber?"
''The Apple of the gaming world: Nintendo [Wii]"
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