The Appeal of Luxury

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          I think that the reason why materialism is criticized in America is because people realize that not everyone can afford luxury, or even basic necessities. Although there is poverty in this country, it is far more pronounced in places like Africa. I think that people realize that it is not really fair to spend a lot of money on luxury, when it could be spent on less expensive products and the rest could end up being donated to charity. However, American society still loves luxurious goods because it is natural for people to want the best of everything. Why settle for just non-cable channels when it is possible to have a gazillion networks entertaining the viewer from subjects such as cars to the latest celebrity news? People need to fit in with society, and our society likes expensive products. If we love luxury, the reason why we are so quick to condemn advertising and consumerism is because it inspires even more spending which makes it seem like marketers are just trying to make an extra buck. Plus advertisements can be pretty annoying, especially those that are clearly made for a different target audience.

The American consumer is used to having luxury, even if it does not seem like it. We are used to computers, warm running water, cars, and produce imported from abroad. These things might seem like everyday products, but many people around the world do not enjoy the same amount of luxury.

Twitchell’s arguments in “The Allure of Luxury” are not as relevant or accurate as they were in 2007 because of the economy problems that started in 2008. The bad economy prevented a lot of people from having the same lifestyle as before. It has become more of a question of what people need, not want.