QMusings

I think of marketing as the art of Creating Desire.

How much of what we see marketed to us is what we really need?

OK. So we need soap. And perhaps cat food.

But we don’t really need a particular soap or a specific cat food.

Marketing creates desire. It casts a glamour.

glamour: 1: a magic spell 2: an exciting and often illusory and romantic attractiveness

Marketing tries to create desire for things we don’t need. I call such things, “stuff.”

Here’s a product that brings to mind the phrase, “Where do they come up with this stuff?” – The Scentstories Player. It’s an air freshener that plays scents like music.

Hmmm…

Some marketing blurbage: “Each disc theme uses five complementary scents to create a rich, engaging scent experience. Because the scents change every 30 minutes, your nose never gets bored.”

Oooh … a bored nose. Sounds painful.

But do I need this … scent-emitting Stuff?

Need: a lack of something requisite, desirable, or useful b : a physiological or psychological requirement for the well-being of an organism

Um…in my case, NO.

Do I desire this wondrous device that “Includes Exploring a Mountain Trail multi-scent disc and Sounds of Nature bonus music CD” ?

Desire: 1 : to long or hope for : exhibit or feel desire for 2 a : to express a wish for

Must ponder. Pondering...pondering...No.

I neither need nor desire it. In fact I have less desire for it than a Chia Pet or even The Chia Head.

I don’t want much of the stuff that other people do. I’m not saying stuff is bad. I have some stuff. Stuff can make life more convenient or easy or pleasant.

I am just not that into stuff and want to keep stuff accumulation to a minimum.

If I feel like buying something on impulse, I asked myself, “Do I need this?” and then imagine using it. Most things don’t pass this test. If I still want it then I just wait. Usually the desire doesn’t last past a few weeks. If it does, chances are I still won’t buy the item because I dislike shopping so much.

I feel lucky that I don’t want stuff. I think desire for stuff can bring stress and unhappiness.

I am grateful that my needs are met. I realize that most people in the world struggle with survival.

I am grateful for what I have. I have food. I have shelter. I have family. I have friends. My life is filled with abundance.

There is nothing wrong with stuff or wanting it.

Just don’t let the lack of it keep you from being happy.

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