Google It

I definitely visit google on a daily basis. When I need a question to an answer, I use google. It’s funny that it has an answer for everything. Not only can I find stores’ locations, numbers, and addresses, but I can also find the top stories of celebrities and travel tips. The ideal viewer of google ranges of all races, ages, genders, religions, etc. It has advertisements for Youtube.com, CNN, and other huge “news” loaded media. The advertisements vary so much that it’s hard to really pin point their target audience. I don’t think they necessarily have one. I think that one of their goals might be to be a website for everyone. Google connects you to the world. It’s very globalized and people all around the world use it. It’s also a community that people recognize to be a part of. It’s interesting because whenever I am curious about a specific topic, the first piece of advise I hear from my friends is to “Google It”. Google has become a verb because of its influence on the entire world. I google information all day long and I googled it throughout the year. Google has become a reference for many people and for other websites, such as Yahoo. It definitely does connect people together and it makes people seem just as smart as the next guy. Our knowledge is turning into google’s knowledge. If all of us searched google for an answer to a specific question, all of us will have the same answer. It makes us equal in a way. It definitely attracted me as a viewer and a participant because it looks simple to use. There is a search bar where I type something, and millions of links come up as the results. It’s easy, simple, and it gives a wide range of answers that you can browse through. That’s definitely what attracted me at first, the simplicity. Now, what attracts me to it is the simple fact that everybody else uses it. Google is what people use. It’s almost become a social norm for us in our technological advanced community. If you don’t use google, what do you use as a search engine? Yes, there are many other search engines out there, but google seems to be the one, the one that will rescue us all and save our world.

My Consumer Citizenship

I don’t feel quite special as a consumer citizen because anyone can be one. I am 22 years old which means that I’m a huge target when it comes to companies trying to make profit. Unfortunately, I’m a great and very active consumer citizen. I spend a lot of money very carelessly. I haven’t been able to save anything and this might be because I’ve never really had to think about saving money… until now. Becoming adjusted to not spending and instead saving money is really hard. I have been trying my hardest by not buying so many expensive items. However, the only thing that I have changed is instead of buying one item for 200 dollars, I buy 10 items for 200 dollars. The amount of money I have spent has not changed at all. I’ve just been getting more for the buck. I spend my money on beauty products, clothes, and accessories. I am the dream of a company that makes products for a 22 year old girl. I fall for the advertisements and I am convinced that looking good is needed in our society. In fact, I could possibly even win a debate that has to do with that. The other day, my friend was telling me about Tim Gunn being a guest on the show, and how he admitted that fashion is not needed. Tim Gunn, the star and genius of fashion, admitted to it, and I went on and on about how it is necessary. I guess I didn’t want my consumer citizenship identity to be changed. I definitely have built my identity through consumption. Style is what I teach my friends and I am the person to call when it comes to dressing for an event. I saw an advertisement for Cmart’s designer sale blowout this weekend, and I immediately went online to look at the website. I got directions and I even called my friend to make a date to go shopping. I was one of the few people that actually woke up at 4 am on Black Friday. I was also one of the few at the mall every day of the week of Christmas. Shopping, consuming, spending money has become a part of me, just like the color of my hair (which I have continuously changed 10 times in two years).
I hope to become a much better consumer in the future. I wish I could just save money and not get tempted every time I see a sale or clearance sign. Hopefully, in the future I will be able to realize that my closet is already stuffed and I don’t need anything new. Instead of spending money on clothes and beauty products like I do now, I would like to save in order to provide my future children with their education in private schools and universities. Of course I am dreaming. However, it would be nice to believe that it is possible to pay for things without being in debt.
The priorities that determine my spending now are beauty, fashion, and style. For the past few years, I have been changing my style in order to find it. I believe that I have, so now I am trying to buy things that show that style. Also, my older sister works for a designer and that determines my spending as well. When she comes home to visit me I usually love what she has and I try to find it so I can buy it for myself. My sister’s influence on me has been torture. I thank her for my identity as a consumer citizen. Well… her and the hundreds and thousands of advertisements that are thrown my way… Sales and clearances also are a huge priority for my spending. I’m the ultimate gift buyer so I try my hardest to get great deals for expensive items. Also, if there is a clearance or sale on designer clothes and shoes, I’m there.
These priorities definitely connect with my personality. I love fashion and it has become one of my key interests. I talk about it a lot with friends and my sister. The way I spend my money is spending it on things that interest me and have grown on me. I truly formed my identity through my consumer citizenship. Consuming allows me to be who I want to be, a pretty girl that dresses well and looks great all day everyday. It might be superficial but it’s who I am and I love the way I dress. I love to change styles because every time I buy something new and different, I’m able to be that identity for a day. It creates interest, change, and spontaneous ways in my life.