Materialism: A Meaning Response

        Now anyone who knows anthropology recognizes the ‘meaning response’ mentioned above to describe the phenomenon most recognize as the placebo effect. However, the gist of the idea, that all objects are associated with their own proper meaning and that meaning is exactly what generates the response, is paramount to the idea of materialism. Essentially, as human beings, we respond to the meanings created by society and placed upon various objects and ideas, rather than the objects and ideas themselves. Materialism suggests a need or an ongoing need to obtain objects and the value of such objects, but when we associate meaning with these objects, we find that perhaps materialism is a little more than simply the hording of generous sums of things.

Twitchell, a professor who has written numerous pieces on the subject suggests that materialism, although frequently portrayed negatively, could quite possibly be beneficial to our society. He states that humans derive meaning from their possessions and utilize their possessions to demonstrate to other humans their likes, dislikes and some of the many complex ideas that create their identity. Basically, Twitchell suggests that materialism, in modern American culture is utilized to create and portray individual identity and this is the basis for the value of an individual’s possessions. He goes on to describe that humans can change, trade in and buy new possessions that express their identities when they change (as they invariably do). A simple example of this includes a tattoo on an adolescent to express rebelliousness or a gucci bag on a woman to express wealth. Twitchell also suggests that humans attach meaning to objects not only to define their identity, but also as a natural outlet. For example, he cites a study in which people we asked to describe important objects within the home. Happier people (as decided by the survey) described the objects by meaning, such as explaining the ‘many times the family had spent on a favorite couch’ as opposed to ‘the brown leather couch.’

Where materialism retains its shortcomings lies in the ease with which we accumulate things and go into debt. Many Americans are currently in debt, yet what is interesting is that debt is not a subject routinely researched, as in the collection of national information and presented to the public.* However, everyone knows that Americans have a high prevalence of debt. Buying without the immediate ability to pay is something our capitalistic society is built upon and while advantageous for those whose paychecks are turbulent, it is generally detrimental because of the risk and temptation associated with it. Another drawback of American materialism is a classic argument:

Essentially, materialism is much like numerous other subjects in which it is difficult to create a solid argument for or against it. There are advantages and there are disadvantages. Humans naturally attach meaning to their possessions and obtain meaning from other's possessions; so it is an important facet in the creation of our identity. Yet it creates rampant debt that seems hardly salvable. However, I can solidly argue that materialism is an integral part of our society and I do not see that fact shifting in the near or slightly distant future.


*Try looking it up! It is super difficult to find!