Summary Of The Cult You Re In By Jane Hammerlough

Where do we draw the line on faith? In "What's Changed", Jane Hammerslough produces an evaluation of how objects and possessions have negatively impacted people, in accordance to her idea that people have began placing too much faith within objects and possessions. Hammerslough argues in her essay that the distinct difference between now and the thousands of years people have already put their faith in objects, is that these objects now have influence over how people live, their relationships and even their perception of themselves. Hammerslough's idea that people have allowed objects to have too much sway over their lives, relates to the notions of Kallie Lasn's "The Cult You're In", where he insinuates that brands have impacted people to

Taking these two concepts into consideration would solidify the reason author, Renee Dye, produced a piece ("The Buzz on Buzz") encouraging and giving ideas to entrepreneurs on how to exploit customers to market their products better. People like Dye have realized the impact objects have on people and take advantage of it for their own benefit. This might be one of the biggest reasons why Hammerslough believes that material items are being personified with intangible values and that American consumers place in society is problematically linked to their purchases. While Lasn would agree with Hammerslough in terms of consumers place in society being problematically linked to purchases; Dye would most likely disagree that "what's changed" is negative and see it as positive economically. Hammerslough's belief is correct in the sense that purchases, objects and even brands consume too much of American lives by distracting them from what's going on in the world and influencing their opinions of others as well as themselves, which is the reason their place in society is

With so many options of items, objects and brands to solve different problems from itchiness, to a fever or headache, to boredom it is easy to be distracted. It is so simple for consumers to get caught up in the hype or buzz of brands and that is what entrepreneurs are hoping for. It is their goal for consumers to be constantly faced with making decisions or in constant view of products and they do and create ways for people to get even more wrapped up in their brands on purpose so that they can promote their products. In her essay, Dye tries to convince business minded people to do more to get their products seen. Dye writes: " insightful companies have discovered that products can be made visible. One way is to create forums, such as Internet chat groups, where customers can exchange information about a product such as a new medicinal treatment—that might otherwise have remained hidden. Often, creative approaches are needed to facilitate the discussion. Pfizer, the maker of Viagra, face an uphill battle when trying to generate buzz for its breakthrough drug, because impotence was a taboo subject. But by popularizing the medical terms 'erectile dysfunction' and 'ED', the company transformed the undiscussable into fodder for the bedroom and backyard alike."(Dye 355). Dye gave a perfect