post class- habermas

"Cult of the New"

“The Cult of the New” is a concept that really resonated with me after reading Habermas. This idea that we are constantly wanting more, wanting the latest’s and greatest, and consuming purely frivolous items only seems to grow and grow with the constant influence from the media to have the best. What makes us feel this pressure to have the best? Is it truly because the latest item is better? Is it pressure from outside media sources? Or is it pressure from our peers that causes us to experience this “Cult of the New”? Whatever the influence, the cult continues…

The first example that jumped to my mind was ipod’s. Every 9-12 months Apple comes out with a new and improved ipod. At times the changes are quite noticeable, at other times, the changes are so minor that only the trained eye would notice. However big or little the change is in the technology, we still have a desire to obtain the latest.

On a much larger economic scale than ipods; automobile companies do the same thing. Each year they come out with a new model of every car. Although the model may have the same body style, something minor is changed on the vehichle. Maybe a new grill, modified logo, slightly different trim styles, etc… These minor changes cause car buyers to want to update their vehicle, to be driving the newest model.

Regardless of the product, I think it is very clear that we as consumers fall victim of this “Cult of the New”. I know I do, and I cannot think of a single person who doesn’t in one area or another fall victim as well. If you have something that you covet and you are constantly updating, post it below.