TOPIC: The fact that technology is outpacing the needs of those in cultures that can afford the technology creates cultures of excess consumerism.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.
This topic raises the controversial issue of whether rapidly advancing technology lead to cosuming too much in those societies that can afford such technology. Indisputably, advanced technology has increased consuming, however, it has not lead to excess consumerism even in cultures that use the most advanced technology.
First of all, the United States both produce and consume the most advanced technology in the world. You can quickly realize the difference between people’s lives ten years ago and now when calling a taxi or finding a date. It is for sure that consuming though technology has become easy and affordable. For example, when in doubt between calling a taxi or taking the subway, people in New York used to prefer the cheaper option; taking the subway. But there were underlying reason involved in such decision. You could never be sure if how much would it take to get some place. Since every driver follows a different route you could end up paying much more to get same place than your previous ride. Also, many driver in New York drive negligently causing an accident or listen to loud music during the ride. There are times that taking a subway is much better option but during bad weather or while trying to get to a meeting on time you would have to take a taxi. Now, thanks to advanced technology you install an phone application, create a profile, add you payment method. Drivers cannot charge you more than what the application calculates. After a ride, you get to give feedback to the driver. For that reason, drivers are making a tremendous effort to make your ride nice. There are drivers who offer candies or play your music during the ride to get a good feedback from you which eventually effects their rating. The drivers that have good ratings are awarded by this application; given a free bonus or directed to more customers. Of course, having an option to have this kind of ride probably have increased how much a New Yorker consumes for a ride home. But does having a more affordable and nicer ride home mean excess consumerism. It is consumerism that is not excess but better. The way people call taxi did not change how much they spend on a ride by just changed the direction of the consumption. Now, more responsible, affordable rides get the job.
Additionally, people used to find dates through people who do this as an occupation. Such people would set you up with people who also use such service. Of course, many people were happy with the result and satisfied with their matchmakers performance. However, it takes time and wisdom to get to know a person to come with a good match for him. It was often tha case that matchmakers just set you up with someone without thinking much about if you can make a good couple. Now, tahnks to advanced technology, there are application that you can download on your phone and set up your own profile. You can meet someone without a middle person. Most of these sort application are free and easy to use. They also do better job at matching you with possible date because they use algoritisms and softwares that can tell if someone is a good match for you. Of course, such advanced technology probably have increased how much people spend time online looking for a date. However, can we say that this consumerism is excessive since the old option was not free and involved a middle person that does not know you?
