In Fight Club, Brad Pitt’s character, Tyler Durden, delivered a powerful line: “The things you own end up owning you.” The main message is that many define themselves through material things, whether branded clothes, shiny gadgets, unneeded furniture, or expensive jewelry.
Consumerism has been a hot-button issue for decades, and many people are going against it. One group is the Anticonsumption subreddit, which has nearly 800,000 members as of this posting.
We’ve collected a handful of posts that express disapproval against all forms of materialism. See which ones you’re able to relate to the most.
#1 Better Packaging Options Do Exist
Image credits: Lasivian
#2 Such Incredible Waste…
Image credits: Shlublord
In a similar piece, Bored Panda spoke with UK-based clinical psychologist and The Thomas Connection founder Michaela Thomas. She discussed a potential link between overspending and mental disorders.
“If overspending is due to lack of financial planning, or wanting the dopamine kick of how good it feels to purchase something, that can be linked to ADHD, depression, mania, psychosis, or other dopamine-related issues.”
#3 Absolutamente
Image credits: Zxasuk31
#4 Over Production Of The Wrong Stuff?
Image credits: Zxasuk31
#5 What's Yours?
Image credits: adhereczxcscsa
Then there is the question of, “What drives a person to purchase a product or service?” Survey Sparrow gave several factors, perception being one of them. It is the manner in which a consumer interprets information about what they intend to buy.
“A consumer who has had a positive experience with a particular brand may have a more favorable perception of that brand than a consumer who has not had any experience with the brand.”
#6 This Is Annoying
Image credits: sharpglucose
#7 Based
Image credits: Mediocre_Heart_3032
#8 ? ❤️
Image credits: Zxasuk31
#9 Simple Math
Image credits: Zxasuk31
#10 Do We The People See This For How Truly Messed Up It Is?
Image credits: lemongrasssmell
Our beliefs likewise influence purchasing decisions, which can be influenced by cultural values, personal experience, and social influence.
“For example, consumers who believe organic products are healthier may be more likely to purchase organic foods.”
#11 Lawn Hating Post Beware
Image credits: Zxasuk31
#12 Profitable War Is One Thing
Image credits: jaggedlyFeedback
#13 I Am Not Sure If This Is A "Hot Take" But There Is Literally No Reason Why Anyone *needs* A Private Plane Or Yacht That Cause Literal Tons Of Environmental Damage Unless They Are An Important Essential Official, We Should Legally Ban Them All
Image credits: booksnpizza
The discussion took a slightly darker turn when talking about materialism. Here’s an analysis by Knox College psychology professor Dr. Tim Kasser.
“We know from research that materialism tends to be associated with treating others in more competitive, manipulative, and selfish ways, as well as with being less empathetic.”
#14 True
Image credits: craneynixerx64
#15 To Keep Prices High . .
Image credits: SlushyExtis
#16 Data Pollution
Image credits: ArschFoze
#17 Food Is Free
Image credits: Zxasuk31
#18 My Vinyl Office Chair Has Been Peeling For Years. Decided To Get It Reupholstered Instead Of Replacing It
Image credits: analogsimulacrum
According to Dr. Kasser, people who tend to be materialistic also experience problems outside of their mental health.
“They reported physical health problems, such as stomachaches and headaches, and the less they experienced pleasant emotions and felt satisfied with their lives.”
#19 Good Point
Image credits: VarunTossa5944
#20 Couldn’t Have Said It Better Myself
Image credits: Blackenedheart-24601
#21 Most Items In This Store Will Be In A Landfill Within A Decade. In Two Decades, Effectively Everything In This Store Will Have Been Buried In The Earth, Burned, Washed Out To Sea, Or Shipped To And Dumped In An Impoverished Country
Image credits: sentientmassofenergy
#22 Save And Repair
Image credits: Zxasuk31
#23 Ever Hopeful I Might Be Able To Change Some Minds
Image credits: Lets_Not_Date
Dr. Kasser also pointed out that people who turn to materialism are likely dealing with personal insecurities.
“People are more materialistic when they feel insecure or threatened, whether because of rejection, economic fears or thoughts of their own death."
#24 Rage
Image credits: CheesySoldier
#25 Consumer Kills
Image credits: CheesySoldier
#26 Without A Doubt
Image credits: Anarchist23
#27 Eat Shit, Advertising Drones
Image credits: Anastariana
Signs of materialism are believed to manifest at a young age. According to Professor Mònica Casabayó of Spain’s Esade University, family income determines whether a child will grow up to be a consumerist.
“Children in lower-income families were significantly more materialistic than children growing up in higher-income families,” she said in an article for the University website.
#28 On A Beach Vacation, I Walked Out On A Pier To Watch The Sunset When This Hideous Electronic Billboard Cruised By Scrolling Ads In The Middle Of The Ocean. It Felt So Dystopian. Nowhere Is Free From Advertising!
Image credits: Nica-sauce-rex
#29 Went Hiking And Came Across The Aftermath Of A Gender Reveal
Image credits: Immediate_Leg3304
#30 Be Honest
Image credits: Zxasuk31
#31 Black Friday My Ass
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#32 Happy People Don't Buy Much
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#33 Some Of The Scenes After Creamfields North Festival This Year. All Tents And Camping Gear Were Abandoned + Left In The Fields, Alongside An Inconceivable Amount Of General Trash
Image credits: Lemon_nukes
#34 Seeing People Paying Hundreds For A Overpriced Clothing With A Giant Logo Triggers Me
Image credits: antek_g_animations
#35 Highwaymen Lobbyist
Image credits: Zxasuk31
#36 Kardashian Calling Someone Cute For Having To Work 20 Hrs To Afford Their Jeans
Image credits: horroerizo
#37 Amazing ?
Image credits: Zxasuk31
#38 Just Discovered The Most Pointless Item I’ve Seen In Awhile
Image credits: Lava_girllll
#39 How Much Plastic Junk Is Needed?
Image credits: CrazyAssBlindKid
#40 My Friend Found This At The Airport. Makes Me So Mad
Image credits: imgettingthere_
Professor Casabayó and her colleagues also found that a child’s education plays a role.
“Our data show that children in religious schools were less materialistic than children in secular schools. Religious schools may influence children by putting over a world view where spiritual ends are more important than possessions."
#41 Thank God! I’m Relieved Now
Image credits: Acceptable_Joke_4711
#42 Analysis Paralysis
Image credits: CrazyAssBlindKid
#43 Disney Taking Cultural Appropriation To A Whole New Level
Image credits: Ra505
#44 Your Real Job
Image credits: auguste_laetare
#45 Saw This As A Meme On Instagram Today! Instantly Thought Of Anticonsumption
Image credits: toofacedsugar17
#46 You Love To See It
Image credits: PilgrimJohn
#47 Black Friday Idiocy
Image credits: No-Understanding4968
#48 Random American Sees This And Says Nah It's Better Than A Well Working Railway Network
Image credits: Nik-42
#49 The Kings Of Promoting Consumerism
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#50 This Is Really Sad
Image credits: [deleted]
#51 Why Is That A Bad Thing ?
Image credits: Adam-Many82
#52 Think About It
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#53 Googling Anything
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#54 My Goodness…
Image credits: Zxasuk31
#55 This Popped Up On My Feed
Image credits: BostonSamurai
#56 Got My Pizza And It Came With These Napkins. I Ordered Food, Not Political Ads
Image credits: disloyalfog25
#57 The Aftermath Of Nye
Image credits: kenobrien73
#58 Coke Has Been One Of The Most Disastrous Companies For The Planet And Our Health, It’s About Time To See This
Image credits: bisby-gar
#59 Remember When Nature And Imagination Kept Us Occupied For Hours
Image credits: CrazyAssBlindKid
#60 I'll Never Understand Why So Many People (Especially In The States) Are So Vehemently Opposed To Washing Dishes
Image credits: natalie_ck
#61 “There Are Fewer Fish In The Sea Than Ever Before”
Image credits: TeeKu13
#62 Over $150 Of Unclaimed Mobile Starbucks Orders Wasted Because People Were Too Busy To Pick Up Today
Image credits: CoffeeChangesThings
#63 Well, You Shouldn't Have Expected
Image credits: BelatedListesner
#64 Is Tourism Becoming Toxic?
Image credits: Zxasuk31
#65 Eat Healthy With A Side Of Micro Plastics
Image credits: CrazyAssBlindKid
#66 Mall Of America Of The Seas
Image credits: CrazyAssBlindKid
#67 Bullying
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#68 When I Say My Jaw Dropped…
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#69 How Do People Not See Thr Addiction Aspect Of Shopping?
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#70 Why Are We Almost Ignoring The Sheer Volume Of Aircraft In The Global Warming Discussion
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#71 Kanopy✅
Image credits: Zxasuk31
#72 What Would You Call Amazon?
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#73 This Thing Sucks, Buy A Different One
Image credits: Dazzling_Pirate1411
#74 Happy Black Week, R/Anticonsumption
Image credits: Tunisandwich
#75 Thanks To This Sub, I Knew How To Repair These Instead Of Replacing Them ?
Image credits: blissrot
#76 Saw Someone Share A Pic Of Their Phone, Thought I’d Do The Same
Image credits: Benedict_Cumbercock
#77 Influencers Are The Worst
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#78 Spotted In Singapore: A Way To Dry Your Umbrella Instead Of Using A Single-Use Bag Each Time
Image credits: BillfredL
#79 Target Is Still Well Stocked On Soulless Christmas Trees
Image credits: deeppurplescallop
#80 You Will Own Nothing
Image credits: [deleted]
#81 This Is So Sad
Image credits: RelativeLeather5759
#82 This Is A Closet
Image credits: CrazyAssBlindKid
#83 Saw This Chart On Fb. How Often You Should Change Those Household Items
Image credits: MDGR28
#84 Spend More Money, Loser
Image credits: CrazyAssBlindKid
#85 I Hate This
Image credits: Masteher
#86 Saw This Flyer On My College Campus
Image credits: experimentalrealm
#87 Oh I Guess Natural Diamonds Are Great For The Environment
Image credits: Jaysong_stick
#88 My Coworkers Make Fun Of My Pencil
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#89 This Is So Embarrassing
Image credits: lizzys_sad_girl
#90 Next Level Of Gadget Addiction Is Coming. Wearing This Will Become The Norm
Image credits: Eloren1
#91 Environmental Footprints Of Dairy And Plant-Based Milks
Image credits: VarunTossa5944
#92 What Zionists Are Genociding For
Image credits: doomsdayprophecy
