Yes, those drug ads exemplify how seductive advertising/marketing is! People are asking for drugs from their physicians, without even knowing what they are!
I think it is only a matter of time before the UK and the rest of Europe begin consuming like Americans.
It isn’t totally our fault. We have just never really known shortages, like Europeans have. Plus, like I said, marketing is coming at us from every angle here, and we don’t even realize when we’re being sold something (think product placement in movies, fabulous packaging on junk products, web pages that are news, but really they are selling stuff too – MSN homepage for example). Plus, you have to admit, getting something done/purchasing is really easy in the US compared to other countries. Grocery/drug stores open all the time etc. Customer service departments that always answer your call. You can buy a car on Thanksgiving! What other country would open a car dealership on a public holiday???
I have to add here: we don’t get enough time off in this country. We work a lot. And it’s hard to see the forest for the trees when we’re stressed, and being pressured to buy/consume/spend etc. Afterall, that’s why we’re working right?
Consuming is both a hobby and a drug.
We just aren’t used to going without. Our current generations have very little idea what it’s like to go without, and the ones that can remember The Great Depression didn’t pass along what they learned to us, or don’t speak up enough.
In the past, I have had days where I challenged myself to not buy/consume anything for a day. It is really hard.