Materialism in the 21st Century
Materialism, or “the value placed on the acquisition of material objects” (Burroughs 1), is the driving force behind today’s economy, advertising, and pop culture. ... The example of the differences between these two advertisements is important in understanding how materialism has changed advertising from showing why a companies’ product is better, to claiming its effect on a consumer socially. ... Perhaps this is the reason that materialism is so prevalent in today’s culture; because advertising has such an influence that it can program our philosophy in life to believe that through the obtaining of material possessions; happiness, solutions to problems, respect, or power can be found.