Consumerism and addiction are two sides of the same coin. One furthers the growth of the other. Promoters of consumer society want consumers to get addicted. But they do not say that explicitly for if they do that, their business will suffer or may even crash. I have come to learn that during certain stages of its operation, an addiction-producing substance was being added to Coca Cola drink (aerated) to promote sales. A law suite was filed on this matter. Consumerism advocates that a steady growth in the consumption of goods is necessary for a sound economy. I do not know what a sound economy means here and what a steady growth is.
Two bad consequences of consumerism are wastage and addiction. Since consumption is not need-based, a consumer society buys goods more out of habit aided by marketing propaganda and fear of being branded socially if you do not fall in line than genuine need. Once something becomes a habit, parsimony ceases to be a virtue or of any value. This is particularly so for women and children. In this economy, instead of becoming a devotee of an idol, one becomes a devotee of an activity or vice. Buy for the sake of buying. Buy, throw, buy, throw and so on. With consumerism comes a new value system. A consumer society promotes addiction indirectly. Addiction is one of health's great enemy. Common herd does not have much power of discriminating between good and bad, specially when it is for the distant future.
