Are We Addicted To Consumer Electronics?
by Erik Folgate
Filed under Consumer News
I came across this great graphic from the Mint.com Blog and it made me ponder our obsession for consumer electronics. I will definitely not sit here and write that I am the exception to the rule. I freaking love my iPhone, I just bought a high-tech printer, I couldn’t live without a high-def LCD TV, and I love my new Keurig coffee maker. I am not as bad as some men in their late twenties, but that’s not the point. I am drawn to learning about the latest and greatest gadget, and so is the majority of our culture. Just look at the press the CES conference got around the world. This graphic tells the story…
Shopping is down, but electronics spending is up 13 percent! Maybe this is because we live in a digital age, but maybe it’s because the consumer electronics industry has done a great job at mesmerizing us with the latest and greatest gadget. I have always said that Apple is the worst of the worst or the best of the best, depending how you look at it, at teasing the consumer to replace their gadget every 9 months. Apple continues to add one or two features to their gadgets but always leaves out the one people REALLY wanted and saves the update for about 6 to 9 months later. They want you to buy the first update, but not be satisfied enough to make you buy the next model 9 months from now. As consumers, we cannot fall into this trap. If we try to keep up with technology, our bank accounts will suffer. We must convince ourselves that life is not easier, more convenient, and more efficient with all of our new gadgets. Just because my Keurig coffee maker saves me a couple of minutes in the morning and I don’t waste a big pot of coffee doesn’t mean that I “HAD” to have it. (by the way, it was a Christmas gift)
What are your thoughts? Does this data surprise you? Do you think we’re obsessed with CE? Do you think our culture has a lust for technology?
Yes, we are addicted to electronics! They make our life so much more convenient. Or should I say they are part of our necessities right now. Without them, we will go nuts.
The problem with electronics is that they turn obsolete so fast. Bang, after couple months, there is a new model coming out. However the good thing is that your purchasing power goes up in consumer electronics compared to other things. What would 4GB of ram cost 10 years ago? Probably huge chunks of your salary!
I know I am certainly hooked on electronics. I find myself always wanting and eventually owning the latest gadgets because I “have to have it”. Yes, I’ve got a iPhone 3GS, a large HDTV, and a few computers. Do I need them? No, but they sure help me stay connected and I don’t want to fall behind the cutting edge.
It’s too bad that electronics lose value incredibly fast…it makes owning a car sound like a solid investment.
We are addicted. In fact I am currently going to buy a new Digital Camera. I want a kindle to but do not have money for it.
Want want want. We want a Flat screen tv(but settled for a $50 model from Goodwill). Oldest Daughter wanted “the brick” but settled for the 8G instead. And now we have been drawn into the Wii world. Need a extra remote, more games, Wii fit, Wii Fit Plus, etc. Nah, were not CE addicted in this house.
I think if you can at least recognize that these CE companies are manipulating you into “needing” an upgrade so soon after your initial purchase that is half the battle. Don’t give in! I love my iPhone but the older one I have does everything I need and more.
I think it has a lot to do with wanting to “keep up with the Joneses”. Everyone wants to have the latest gadget out there, so that they don’t feel like they’re being left behind in the stone age.
Yes, we are…We use Christmas to justify buying the newest gadget, etc. Every year I would get the “coolest” new electronic and 6 months later, I wouldn’t use it or even sell it. Then next year the cycle would repeat.
I told people to stop buying things and sold my Macbook Pro that I thought I needed and anything else that I don’t use.
I didn’t cut off all electronics, just cut them back.
Although it still amazes me that I got an iPod one Christmas and by the next Christmas, I am using a iPhone and don’t use my iPod any more.
Yes, I think we are addicted. At least I am!! I love seeing what new gadgets come out. I would buy them all if I could afford them.
I think that we are addicted to electronics. We all want something shiny, new, and fun with the appeal of possibly making our lives less complicated. Personally, I believe I have fallen into that trap and what I find is that the gadgets do not REALLY simplify my life. In fact, I think that I am busier thn ever thanks to technology!
I think the addiction comes from how much time we can save with them. Unfortunately, the more time we save, the more new things we take on, leave us often spread too thin.
At our house we are geeks. Right to the core. Me and hubby are computer engineers and the boys are following in our footsteps (mostly…except they are a whole lot smarter). We cannot get around spending more on technology. We all have nice cell phones (hubby has an iphone). There are 17 computers in our house, only 6 in active use but others there just in case we decide we want to play rogue on a 512k mac.
We do spend a lot on electronics, but we don’t spend a lot on clothes or home decor or automobiles or maybe the other areas. And I get most of our accessories on ebay so it is pretty cheap. We can also fix most anything we own.
Yes, I love hearing about the new electronics. Problem is they come out so often now and still cost a lot of money.
Yes. Americans love electronics. Personally, I’d love to leave it all behind and never use a computer, iPod, etc. But try to find a 9-5 job that doesn’t use a computer…
Well I kind of am the exception to the rule. We get teased about our old box tv, and even my own father has hinted why we still haven’t purchased a flat screen. The reason is that I really don’t care about something we hardly use. And of the top CE wants on your list, I’ve only really wanted a laptop and an iphone or smartphone. And I think all 3 can be consolidated into one purchase for my needs by buying a smartphone. You might say I’m missing out on stuff, but what I don’t have I don’t miss.
Also who says you have to buy the latest gadget? If you wait a couple of years, it’s bound to go down in price.
Yes, you can wait three years for the prize to go down. However after that time, that thing is then obsolete. The newest gadget will be so much better than the thing you want three years ago that I doubt you will want it anymore.
Not necessarily! I get puzzled by the culture of instant gratification and entitlement displayed by my peers. Sure the older models probably won’t have a sleek design or be as compact in general, but are the differences/advancements really worth the extra cost?
And it’s also not always true that you’ll end up paying more for a new design if you opt to wait. e.g.: the Iphone 3G was unveiled at a $200 discount from it’s previous models in 2008, and then further discounted by $100 last year to make way the the Iphone 3G S. The difference in technology (between the 3G and 3G S) is faster speed and vedio capture. Considering that the 3G Iphone is quite fast already, how many people would really benefit from spending more to get the newer gadget?
Apple also cut the prices of its 13-inch macbook pro by $100 and the macbook air by $300 last year! I bet it was definitely worth it for those customers who waited :)
An interesting question. I don’t know about addicted, but I definitely think we’re too enamored with The Latest Thing. I don’t necessarily think we’re in love with the work they do for us — I think we’re simply wowed by the cool factor. That’s why Apple is so smart — their stuff is simply cool.
Consider your standard keyboard-based smartphone. Is it cool? Mmmm…. kind of. But think about the iPhone. That is COOL. Apple has tapped into the fact that we like stuff that’s simplistic, elegant, and provides us with games, music, or video. A pretty strong combination.
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/new_device_desirable_old_device
I definietly think we’re addicted to CE. Just look at my house for example! We’ve got TVs, video games, computers, laptops, you name it. AND we still want more.
Try having someone give up just one thing (phone, TV, computer) for a day and see if they can handle it. I can but it sure is tough!
Yep, I know I’m obsessed with electronics. It was the reason for a lot of my debt in the past. Now, I save up and pay cash for my next electronic gadget. It’s sad but I’ve owned 9 out of the 10 things on that list. I don’t have the Kindle and no plans to buy one.
I think we definitely are addicted to electronics. My teens keep telling me they are the only kids their age who don’t have cell phones and ipods, and we live in a poor area. My daughter just visited her friend who lives in a small trailer and they have 4 tvs, including one in the bathroom. It is amazing how much electronics people think they need.
I have a $1000 coffee maker. However, I do not have a cell phone (gasp!) and we just got a high definition TV after not having any television for 4 years. We have made 2,500 cups of coffee with that coffee maker. Economically it is cheaper than going to Starbucks. As for the cellphone, I stay at home quite a bit. I can only think of a couple of occasions in the last 5 years when I thought a cellphone would be handy.
I do not think people assess WHY they want these items. Is it filling an emotional need or is it really a necessity?
Controlling our wants to things that we need is the key. In addition to shopping frugally for such items.
Yes, I own a flat screen, but I bought it second hand for $175 two years ago–and it was a 37″.
We own a lpatop (a second home computer) but again, bought on clearance. Retailed for $950 and we got it for $700.
I think anybody out there in this day and age who has a need to be the first kid on the block with the latest gadget is an absolute fool.
I know I am addicted to TV. I don’t own most of the other gadgets, but would love to. I know my sons with their video games, mp3′s, cell phones and all they have sure are. It is rather scary too when you think how many people actually think these are needs and not wants.
I am always wanting the newest and best electronic item on the market. I say for sure we are addicted!! Trying to out do each other, friends, family etc.. who has the better phone features, biggest HDTV, and the fastest computer or laptop!! I cant keep up!! HA HA HA
Addiction is a powerful thing with electronics for sure. I succumb every once in a while, but lately I’ve found just adding what I want to my Amazon wish list helps a lot. I add it there and then every once in a while I go through the list. If I still really want something a month or two later and I have the money saved up for it, then I buy it. Otherwise, I just sit back and wait for the next cool thing of the week
I admit I have a lot of things on that list…but I don’t have everything and nor do I want it. We are definitely bombarded w/ the idea that we need the newest electronic gadgets. I mean people buy quesadilla makers and pizza ovens when they have a perfectly good oven in their kitchen! The best thing to do is to step back and ask, do I really need it, and will I actually use it enough. I adore my GPS as I am not very good at directions and can’t always read street signs fast enough. But I know that an E-reader would be a waste as I love books and would get annoyed w/ the format quickly. Just because it’s a must have doesn’t mean I must have it.
“Addiction” has such a negative connotation…or maybe I’m truly an addict just trying to justify my addiction. ;-)
Yes I have an iPhone, but it’s brand new as I didn’t get it until my 3-year-old WM smartphone died. I was already on AT&T, with a data plan, so it was going to be another AT&T phone anyway.
At the same time, I have absolutely no desire for a flat-panel TV or Blu-Ray player. In fact, my regular DVD player died last summer and I’ve been just fine since. I also cut the cable cord and watch everything on my laptop. Yes, HD is great (especially for hockey games!) but it’s not enough of a “need” for me to dump my current picture-in-picture on my laptop. One window with streaming program, while another window with something more productive.
Yep, there’s that justification excuse again.
I’m not surprised at all and I totally believe the majority of us are obsessed with Consumer Electronics. I’m not so sure though that it’s a lust for technology…I think it’s more of a lust for what’s cool. Tweens want the phone that texts because everyone else is texting. The CEOs want the smack daddy air book because it’s got that new car smell! Hubby wants a tv big enough to be seen from space because it completes him. Now I’m just teasing really…I don’t think there’s anything wrong with technologically advancing as a society and using technology to advance our careers. Some of us buy pants so we’ll have pants on. Some of us buy pants because they have glittery sparkly rhinestones in the shape of someone’s stage name…and I suppose that’s the very thing that keeps an economy going.
I am addicted to electronics. I just realize that all my life depends on electronic devices. My laptop makes me stay connected to the world, my video game console entertains me, my game boy keeps me entertained as well, my mobile phone is important and more recently my electronic dictionary…
If one of those things fails, the whole system I’ve created will collapse!