Many of our desires are not our own but fake, illogical desires borrowed from others. Hence, we are not focussed on obtaining either worthwhile objects or experiences. For instance, Vinod buys a bigger house, even though he will have to work to the bone paying EMIs, only because his friend has a large house. Tina became a teacher not because she likes to teach but because her mother is a teacher.
A simple example would be two siblings playing happily with toys; when one shouts out to his brother, “Hey, Amit! See what I have. My toy is better than yours.” This results in Amit punching his brother in order to get what he now thinks is a better toy. I remember a neighbour dressing his three small daughters in identical clothes. When I asked why, he said that otherwise each child thinks her siblings have prettier outfits.
The advertising industry capitalises on this aspect of human behaviour. The effect of repeated ads promoting a product is insidious. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram create a craving for what others have. Influencers and celebrities are reaping money by endorsing products, sometimes which they themselves do not use. We are effectively being taken for a ride.
This story is from the April 2023 edition of The Teenager Today.
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This story is from the April 2023 edition of The Teenager Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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