The United States is an independent nation. It is also considered a masculine nation. Now, I'm not going to go all "fem theory" on y'all, but instead I will tell you that in a masculine nation people are more prone to ownership. In a more feminine nation, for instance Sweden, people are more prone to sharing things - they are not as territorial.
I think Anderson is pointing out that many people in the United States feel as if they have to own "things." Be that property, music, cars, etc. What does ownership do for people?
In the novel I feel that ownership is everything, it is a sign of how rich or popular someone is. Is it that way in real life?
I feel it is important to remember how you feel when you buy something new, how exciting you feel. That is what people want us to feel, that feeling of excitement will then make us turn around and ask what we could possibly buy next. Adding to the consumer based world we live in.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to feel that feeling of excitement buying something new I agree. Also I think it can lead people to do crazy things.
DeleteJeez that is a bit dark I would not say that we live in a consumer based world I mean its just smart business to get peoples attention to sell you need to advertise. Do you think Air Jordans woulds be as big as they are without Jordan backing it up? Heck no without the beast of a basketball player the shoes would probably not exist its all about how you show off your product.
DeleteOwnership can do cruel things to people as well as cause people to do cruel things to others. When someone owns something, it gives them a sense of power and freedom, causing them to be overconfident in the world. When people own things better or higher than others, it makes them feel that they are above those other people and makes them think they're better and higher in class because they own those things. Ownership fills peoples' minds with senseless junk and shows how over-degrading owning this really is. Today, you're not considered "rich" or "better" if you don't have nice things, which is a problem with our sense of humanity because we have forgotten what really matters in life; our sense of humanity, our character, etc. I would agree that the excitement and happiness over a newly bought or owned item, along with money, does make you happy, but no one understands or goes into thought that that happiness is only temporary. Yes, you'll be happy at first, but once time passes and new things come out on the market, you'll become unhappy, searching for the happiness that ownership brings you, only to find that in the bear future you'll become unhappy once again. People have forgotten that money doesn't buy happiness, doesn't make you "rich" or "better," and isn't what really matters. Today we live in a society where we have forgotten that what truly makes a person "rich" and happy is what they have on the inside; family, friends, a true piece of mind, and our own character. It's not about what you own, but how you utilize what you have already to bring that happiness you long for in ownership.
ReplyDeleteOwnership can be a good thing and a bad thing. It can turn people against each other. People use ownership way too much. Like a car. People get a new car and brag about it to people that don't have as nice of a car. They use it against other people. So yes I think ownership is everything but people shouldn't look at it that way. A lot of people judge on the ownership of materialistic items.
ReplyDeleteI feel as if ownership is a reason for someone to feel better then another person. I see it as a competition at times for someone to make themselves feel above other people. In the big I agree that it is the popular thing to do. I do see this in real life, and I think M.T. did a great job of writing what he see saw at the time because the book is so accurate to what I see.
ReplyDeleteI agree M.T. did a great job with the book. I do also agree with the fact that some people do things and get things just to make them feel better and that it is the popular thing to do in this society. The more stuff you have the better off you must be and the more popular the person is.
DeleteI do not see ownership as a sign of power I see it more as something natural I mean whats the point of work if we do not get a just reward. It just seems to be the natural course of events I want an item I need money to get it so I work and to me unless I own the said item it seems like a waste of time to me. I mean its not to say I do not share but honestly I just like the idea of owning something this is my home I put my blood, sweat, and tears into this place and through my hard work I have been rewarded for said work at any point I see the thought of ownership as more of a reward rather then a sign of wealth.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is nothing wrong with owning something that you worked hard to obtain. The issue develops when people desire an item(s) because other people (society) approve of it. Setting a goal and achieving it is a great thing, but it is important that the goal is set for the right reasons.
DeleteOwnership in my opionion is one of the most biggest downfalls in the human race. We all must have the best and when the best is not the best anymore we get new but do we ever get rid of the old thing or continue to hold on to it because it was ours and we do not want other people to have it. This is showing up in our children who do not like to share and get into fights over posessions. I do believe that some things should be ours and not shared but most things should be shared. How do people become hoarders. I just believe that ownership causes so many problems.
ReplyDeleteOwnership is an important part of the society we live in today. Owning things is a part of the American dream. Everyone wants to own their own wonderful home and vehicle. The display of how much you own is huge in the social world. Everyone wants to show off how perfect their life is because they have money and know how to spend it. I don't think there is power in owning things, I think there is a sense of power because you are able to have those things in your life when some other people can't. It's just like in elementary school when someone was cool because they had the newest shoes. Except that is just where it starts and it continues into adulthood.
ReplyDeleteOwnership is definitely a big deal in real life. Everyone likes having nice things. As I've started buying more and more things for myself I would say it's nice buying something that you earned, but I don't feel as though I think it makes me more popular than anybody. I definitely see people that do think that though which is a terrible way to think.
ReplyDeleteI feel that ownership gives people a power trip. The amount of what you own and/or the quality of what you own is used almost as a reflection of success of a person in todays society. Take cars for example. You see someone driving around in an old beater of a car and someone else driving around in a brand new sports car. Without knowing either person, you are automatically going to assume that the person in the sports car is more successful. I feel that this is why ownership is so important to people.
ReplyDeleteOwnership is everything. People feel the need to own things so they can feel good about their lives. It's always about what's new and how can I get it.
ReplyDeleteOwnership shows power in this country. The more land you own, shows that you are a successful farmer, just like owning more stocks shows your a businessman.
ReplyDeleteabsolutly. for some reason we think that we always need the nicest thing, the newest thing, or the coolest thing.
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