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Scrivener7

(52,115 posts)
1. This is a really important observation. It's astonishing what advertisers have convinced Americans
Sun Jul 9, 2023, 09:55 AM
Jul 2023

we need that we absolutely DON'T need.

Here are some facts that back up your observation:


https://www.becomingminimalist.com/clutter-stats/

1. There are 300,000 items in the average American home (LA Times).

2. The average size of the American home has nearly tripled in size over the past 50 years (NPR).

3. And still, 1 out of every 10 Americans rent offsite storage—the fastest growing segment of the commercial real estate industry over the past four decades. (New York Times Magazine).

4. While 25% of people with two-car garages don’t have room to park cars inside them and 32% only have room for one vehicle. (U.S. Department of Energy).

5. The United States has upward of 50,000 storage facilities, more than five times the number of Starbucks. Currently, there is 7.3 square feet of self storage space for every man, woman and child in the nation. Thus, it is physically possible that every American could stand—all at the same time—under the total canopy of self storage roofing (SSA).

6. British research found that the average 10-year-old owns 238 toys but plays with just 12 daily (The Telegraph).

7. 3.1% of the world’s children live in America, but they own 40% of the toys consumed globally (UCLA).

8. The average American woman owns 30 outfits—one for every day of the month. In 1930, that figure was nine (Forbes).

9. The average American family spends $1,700 on clothes annually (Forbes).

10. While the average American throws away 65 pounds of clothing per year (Huffington Post).

11. Nearly half of American households don’t save any money (Business Insider).


This is a really important observation. It's astonishing what advertisers have convinced Americans Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #1
I see myself in a lot of those stats lostnfound Jul 2023 #3
I can see how it would be difficult during child rearing years. But you are right that a lot of Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #4
ADDING: I think you might have inspired someone. It's a great conversation and I'm glad Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #6
I can vouch for number 2. Hugin Jul 2023 #18
Years ago I read a book, "Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic," CrispyQ Jul 2023 #20
Just ordered it from the library! Thanks! Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #24
K&R Doc Sportello Jul 2023 #2
The techniques are the same as the 20s and the sophisticated tech has enabled it to be targeted lostnfound Jul 2023 #21
Here's the problem. roamer65 Jul 2023 #5
Six billion miracles are enough. CrispyQ Jul 2023 #8
I think its finally starting to get through to the millennials and Gen Z. roamer65 Jul 2023 #9
That article is in line with what I'm hearing from millennials and Gen Z. femmedem Jul 2023 #16
I have been adopted by a niece and nephew. roamer65 Jul 2023 #17
That's so sweet of them! femmedem Jul 2023 #23
I try. roamer65 Jul 2023 #26
As a way of assessing our economy, the GDP is the fastest track available to a dystopian future. Magoo48 Jul 2023 #7
You are definitely on the right track! Think. Again. Jul 2023 #10
Bill Hicks had a great bit about marketing. JanMichael Jul 2023 #11
Our current model: Comfort, Convenience, Consumption. Ron Green Jul 2023 #12
Nice slogan lostnfound Jul 2023 #22
Yup. Magoo48 Jul 2023 #28
And maybe we should publically fund anti-consumption messages. femmedem Jul 2023 #13
Advertising is the function for establishing standards and impossible-to-attain ideals Auggie Jul 2023 #14
Advertisers have been unable to sell me a private jet leftstreet Jul 2023 #15
The economist John Kenneth Galbraith made the point that advertising skews capitalism c-rational Jul 2023 #19
I agree Cherokee100 Jul 2023 #25
I've removed advertising that moves or makes noise from my personal universe. hunter Jul 2023 #27
Does it make sense to fight a battle that's already been lost? Kaleva Jul 2023 #29
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