Operators are standing by

Watching television these days involves suffering through countless commercials. As a kid, I didn't mind so much, because I was exposed to products and restaurants that were alien to me (the Mikes Pizza ads, for example, are lodged in my fading memory).

I accept that the world spins thanks to commerce, but ads have veered in a direction that bothers me: instead of presenting goods in an impartial fashion, consumers are told what they simply MUST buy. It's no longer about purchasing things one needs, it's about buying stuff in order to fit in, and be a part of the growing crowd of sheep chasing the latest gadget, cd, or weight-loss craze.

Alot of stuff that is portrayed as essential-to-own is simply overrated junk that breaks down quickly or becomes outdated within months. I understand the allure of owning a hot 'toy' (phone, car, dvd, etc), but rampant commercialism dismays me quite a bit, especially in light of a dwindling spiritual focus by society in general.

We're all told by media that we need to work hard to achieve a certain status, with physical objects as tangible proof of our success. I wish that more people would drown out that blaring and insistent message, and worry more about being good to one another, rather than finding a way to afford something they probably don't really need at all.