Surplus: Terrorized Into Being Consumers: Documentary Analysis

The documentary Surplus: Terrorized into Being Consumers portrays both America and Cuba’s views on consumerism, including both the absurdities that differ between each country as well as the similarities. In America, happiness is most likely dependent on materialistic items; “a culture in which people will do most anything to acquire the means to consume- working slavish hours, behaving rapaciously in their business pursuits, and even bending the rules in order to maximize their earnings” (The Crisis of American Consumerism). Things that our society deems necessary do not actually fall under the category of basic needs, however our society is so drawn into consumerism that many mistake needs for wants. In addition, people also find

For example, as learned when looking over the social problem of fast food and obesity, the government plays a part in food advertisements on TV. Consuming fast food is part of the American lifestyle and keeps these big companies like McDonalds profiting. In addition, traveling is also advertised on commercials and on the radio. In the documentary two sayings “distancing over closeness” and “efficiency over playfulness” were constantly repeated. I think those sayings in a way describe our societies part in consumerism. Instead of having a normal work setting, because of technology people are able to work at all times: whether it be through a cell phone, Bluetooth, email, beeper etc. By having technological advances in the way employees can communicate, work can be done around the clock and people do not have to be close together to complete projects. Instead people are distancing from each other. Additionally, it is important to promote efficiency because the more efficient a person is the more work that will get done quicker and the more money that can be made. The social disease of consumerism has touched all Americans and has influenced Americans to just want more and