Consoomers / Consoomer Culture - Because if it has a recogniseable brand on it, I’d buy it!

[Cuntspiracy Man]

This is one of those times I wish the classic 4chan retort to this -- "I accept your concession" -- could break into the mainstream. For some reason it really gets under a lot of people's skin. Maybe because deep down they understand that posting a comic or meme instead of engaging in discussion is giving up and they're hoping no one notices.

these are the same people who believe that a discussion is supposed to be "won", and they "win" by reaching some arbitrary goal like getting the other person to stop responding, making the most convoluted retort that nobody can comprehend, or 'ratio'ing them by acquiring the largest amounts of approval-based-internet-currency like upvotes or 'like's
they dont argue to convince the other party or anyone involved of their point or reach any kinda understanding, they argue to convince a potential unlooker of their superiority by achieving that elusive victory
just dont bother with these people is all
"yes dear, yes, you've won, congratulations." let em have that and move on, look on the bright side, you learned something from this encounter. you learned not to talk to them in the future

 

[Corpun]

To date I am glad that I have never been gifted a Funko or some other gay consumerism. The worst things I have been gifted are bugmen-related Star Wars stuff.

Would my fellow Kiwis consider coin collections consoomerism?

 

[quaawaa]

I unironically think Guitar Hero contributed to how hard rock and metal music died in the mainstrem after the 00s though. They squeezed it too hard.

I blame the music industry executives for that.

One thing I've noticed about modern music is that I rarely hear Top 40 songs played in public places anymore. Nearly every song I hear in public is from the '70s-'00s with barely anything from the '10s or '20s. It didn't used to be like this, store and restaurant music used to mostly be what was currently popular on the radio. I guess businesses don't want to play explicit rap songs which is what the charts claim are "popular"?

 

[FILTH Tourist]

To date I am glad that I have never been gifted a Funko or some other gay consumerism. The worst things I have been gifted are bugmen-related Star Wars stuff.

The ones I got gifted wear helmets (Judge Dredd and a Blood Angel assault marine) so they don't look too terrible. But I do appreciate the thought.

Would my fellow Kiwis consider coin collections consoomerism?

Yes, any hobby can become consoomerism if you get into the wrong mindset. Only buy what you think looks cool or like the history behind it.

 

[glass_houses]

To date I am glad that I have never been gifted a Funko or some other gay consumerism. The worst things I have been gifted are bugmen-related Star Wars stuff.

Would my fellow Kiwis consider coin collections consoomerism?

I actually wish my family would give me consoomer shit, it would imply that they genuinely thought about my interests and hobbies and what I might like. I've always thought that gift cards or cheap alcohol were cop outs... until one Christmas my parents gave me a jar of tomato jam. Not lovingly homemade by them or a friend either, and certainly not something compatible with my long term eating habits.

The past few years I've welcomed getting gift cards, because they helped offset the cost of Christmas. My relatives have effectively been paying for their own Christmas presents.

 

[Gentlebastard]

One thing I've noticed about modern music is that I rarely hear Top 40 songs played in public places anymore. Nearly every song I hear in public is from the '70s-'00s with barely anything from the '10s or '20s. It didn't used to be like this, store and restaurant music used to mostly be what was currently popular on the radio. I guess businesses don't want to play explicit rap songs which is what the charts claim are "popular"?

Dime-a-dozen mumble rap sang by a nigger with a face like a 5 yo's school desk may be hot for a moment or two, but the glory of Queen/The Cranberries/Heart/Depeche Mode etc. is eternal.

 

[sodaboard]

I blame the music industry executives for that.

One thing I've noticed about modern music is that I rarely hear Top 40 songs played in public places anymore. Nearly every song I hear in public is from the '70s-'00s with barely anything from the '10s or '20s. It didn't used to be like this, store and restaurant music used to mostly be what was currently popular on the radio. I guess businesses don't want to play explicit rap songs which is what the charts claim are "popular"?

I was in Lowe's a couple days ago and they were playing *NSYNC of all things.

 

[Cuntspiracy Man]

To date I am glad that I have never been gifted a Funko or some other gay consumerism. The worst things I have been gifted are bugmen-related Star Wars stuff.

Would my fellow Kiwis consider coin collections consoomerism?

how many times do we have to have the "is THIS consumerism? is THAT consumerism?" conversation just to make ourselves feel better
you oughta know what consumerism is and ask YOURSELF if your hobby is impacting your life. its not about what you collect, its about how you engage with it. id argue that more generalized things like coins or bottle caps simply have more opportunity to be a casual, non intrusive and nonconsumerist hobby, than something that is inherently brand named like funkos
i mean, its not like getting one funko pop from a well meaning friend for your birthday is an act of consumerist behavior on your part thatll suddenly turn you into a corn syrup chugging, funko snagging, wife cucking bugman... its all a matter of your personal approach to these things, and whether or not youre able to stop and ask yourself "how is this benifitting me? is this something im actively doing, and if so, is it hurting me or making me happier in the long run? and most importantly, which corporation is benefiting from my attachment more than i am benefiting from this hobby?" and imo this last point is the biggest aspect to consider

 

[Sayer of the N-Word]

Would my fellow Kiwis consider coin collections consoomerism?

I used to know someone who worked for a company that sold proof sets, which are basically consoomerist products made by national mints, and rolls of coins. There were lots of people, usually geezers, who spent thousands and thousands of dollars on proof sets that were identical except for the dates. They would also call in or show up in person and go ballistic because the company didn't sell rolls of George Bush, Obama, or Trump coins, which don't exist, but which they insisted were real because someone posted a mockup on Facebook.

 

[Dambusters' Dog II]

It's pretty easy to shit on the people who played these games (we've seen the South Park episode) but the thing is I don't think most of them have any illusions about being in a band or being good at a real instrument; they just want to kill time with what's essentially a karaoke machine. That said, the franchise killed itself because it banked on people being massive consoomers buying every release but I guess even consumers draw a line somewhere.

My intent isn't so much to shit on them, but to point out how you can be holding yourself back from achieving something good, that you would want to achieve, by sticking to something that is safe, easy and comfortable. It's similar to how terminally fat people will interpret any discussion of losing weight, improving diet and fitness, and so on, as someone being mean and trying to shit on them. If there's something to learn from online lolcows, it's that we need to be able to take in valid criticism, even if the person making the criticism actually only did it to shit on us.

I've always wondered if there's some really skilled younger guitarist who got their start playing Guitar Hero but then decided to pick up a real guitar and now is really damn good at it. Odds are very good that's happened since fucking everyone played those games back then.

It's probably the case, though I don't know an example. I do know from my own experience that a lot of people started skateboarding because of the Tony Hawk games, but it was considered highly embarrassing for anybody to admit they started skateboarding because of the game, so people would always make up another reason. I expect this is equally true of people who started playing the guitar because of Guitar Hero.

 

[Yaks]

This thread not only reminded me to sell old games while they're at their price peak (I made about 3k just so y'all know), I'm now reminded there's a coin collection in the attic that's been being shuffled around the family for years.

Thanks consoomer thread.

 

[FILTH Tourist]

This thread not only reminded me to sell old games while they're at their price peak (I made about 3k just so y'all know), I'm now reminded there's a coin collection in the attic that's been being shuffled around the family for years.

Thanks consoomer thread.

If there are any silver coins remember to send them to Null as a tithe.

 

[WelperHelper99]

To date I am glad that I have never been gifted a Funko or some other gay consumerism. The worst things I have been gifted are bugmen-related Star Wars stuff.

Would my fellow Kiwis consider coin collections consoomerism?

Coin collections can actually be worth money, and as long as you aren't going full hoarder (the biggest hallmark of being a Consoomer) it's not a bad thing, and might be nice to have for some physical assets. At the very least, it's not cringe to display

 

[Cuntspiracy Man]

id like to talk about "minimalism" as a form of consumerism
this might seem absurd because we associate consumerism with owning many things, and minimalism with owning few, but most of the time the minimalists youll meet arent some kinda noble hobo who gave up on the material world in order to meditate with nothing to his name but the clothes on his back and a water dish, or even just a rational fella who mostly only ever buys the things he really needs. these people will never call themselves 'minimalists'.

most of the time its pretentious hypermodernist clean-freaks who call anyone who owns anything a hoarder, even those who own items thatll be used for a lifetime, and instead constantly throw out their own shit and redecorate with the most current minimalist aesthetic on the market
they actually pride themselves in their ability - nay- DESIRE, to throw out things constantly and buy new ones, because "look look, im no hoarder!" kinda like that woman we talked about itt who abuses her makeup in order to finish it quickly and buy more. they use it as an excuse to buy, assuming that its better than hoarding because youre not keeping all the crap you buy
these are the people constantly shopping for the most shiny looking new gadget so that they can throw out their old "cluttered" one, rearranging their sofa, bookshelf and one plant once a day, and just GOTTA have that pointless ceramic pineapple on the edge of their desk to complete "the look"

 

[Car Won't Crank]

id like to talk about "minimalism" as a form of consumerism
this might seem absurd because we associate consumerism with owning many things, and minimalism with owning few, but most of the time the minimalists youll meet arent some kinda noble hobo who gave up on the material world in order to meditate with nothing to his name but the clothes on his back and a water dish, or even just a rational fella who mostly only ever buys the things he really needs. these people will never call themselves 'minimalists'.

most of the time its pretentious hypermodernist clean-freaks who call anyone who owns anything a hoarder, even those who own items thatll be used for a lifetime, and instead constantly throw out their own shit and redecorate with the most current minimalist aesthetic on the market
they actually pride themselves in their ability - nay- DESIRE, to throw out things constantly and buy new ones, because "look look, im no hoarder!" kinda like that woman we talked about itt who abuses her makeup in order to finish it quickly and buy more. they use it as an excuse to buy, assuming that its better than hoarding because youre not keeping all the crap you buy
these are the people constantly shopping for the most shiny looking new gadget so that they can throw out their old "cluttered" one, rearranging their sofa, bookshelf and one plant once a day, and just GOTTA have that pointless ceramic pineapple on the edge of their desk to complete "the look"

View attachment 5165135

The Teslabro aesthetic and mindset encapsulates that perfectly.

 

[Corpun]

id like to talk about "minimalism" as a form of consumerism
this might seem absurd because we associate consumerism with owning many things, and minimalism with owning few, but most of the time the minimalists youll meet arent some kinda noble hobo who gave up on the material world in order to meditate with nothing to his name but the clothes on his back and a water dish, or even just a rational fella who mostly only ever buys the things he really needs. these people will never call themselves 'minimalists'.

most of the time its pretentious hypermodernist clean-freaks who call anyone who owns anything a hoarder, even those who own items thatll be used for a lifetime, and instead constantly throw out their own shit and redecorate with the most current minimalist aesthetic on the market
they actually pride themselves in their ability - nay- DESIRE, to throw out things constantly and buy new ones, because "look look, im no hoarder!" kinda like that woman we talked about itt who abuses her makeup in order to finish it quickly and buy more. they use it as an excuse to buy, assuming that its better than hoarding because youre not keeping all the crap you buy
these are the people constantly shopping for the most shiny looking new gadget so that they can throw out their old "cluttered" one, rearranging their sofa, bookshelf and one plant once a day, and just GOTTA have that pointless ceramic pineapple on the edge of their desk to complete "the look"

View attachment 5165135

This minimalist shit unnerves me on a primal level. Maybe it's just my brain connecting it to the soulessness of modern architecture, idk, but it's really unnerving.

I've thought a lot about this stuff before and genuinely have come to believing that all this minimalism in all fields from furniture down to logos is to make people stop thinking or some shit. It's just all so sterile and artificial-looking.

 

[Sleazy Car Salesman]

This minimalist shit unnerves me on a primal level. Maybe it's just my brain connecting it to the soulessness of modern architecture, idk, but it's really unnerving.

Because it isn't real, it's a facsimile of a home and lacks all the hallmarks of a space being utilized and lived in. It's the same sort of eerie feeling you get if you've ever poked around in abandoned buildings.

 

[Zbk3VmLfujjzjxBd43tL]

This minimalist shit unnerves me on a primal level. Maybe it's just my brain connecting it to the soulessness of modern architecture, idk, but it's really unnerving.

I've thought a lot about this stuff before and genuinely have come to believing that all this minimalism in all fields from furniture down to logos is to make people stop thinking or some shit. It's just all so sterile and artificial-looking.

I think it's more a reflection of how soulless society in general is, since art is a reflection on the society which created it.

 

[FILTH Tourist]

This minimalist shit unnerves me on a primal level. Maybe it's just my brain connecting it to the soulessness of modern architecture, idk, but it's really unnerving.

I think the minimalist look is ok in moderation. I actually like the look of simple furniture and having a clean and organized space is pretty calming. But it really needs some personal touches to really make it feel like home. IKEA catalog isn't much of a personality.

 

[Cuntspiracy Man]

I think the minimalist look is ok in moderation. I actually like the look of simple furniture and having a clean and organized space is pretty calming. But it really needs some personal touches to really make it feel like home. IKEA catalog isn't much of a personality.

i think the issue is that its literally impossible to live in a home and not have it look like a home unless youre consciously taking steps to make it the case

no matter how little you own or how minimalistic your style of furniture is- you will eventually form the house around yourself, gather a few things that dont come to you from the store, create something of it
to maintain that sterile look you have to be constantly and intentionally buying, throwing out and redecorating, and resisting any and all things that dont fit into your aesthetic

and the aesthetic factor is honestly sad to me
imagine owning a photo of your friends, a piece of art, maybe a little old knicknack with a history to it or an item you got somewhere that is dear to your heart, and saying "this doesnt fit the aesthetic of my home, so i wont display it, or even keep it"

Because it isn't real, it's a facsimile of a home and lacks all the hallmarks of a space being utilized and lived in. It's the same sort of eerie feeling you get if you've ever poked around in abandoned buildings.

its more uncanny than an abandoned building- abandoned buildings can be fun and interesting, seeing how people used to live and what stories the place can tell
now imagine if one of THESE places ever became abandoned... the only tell would be a layer of dust settling on everything, otherwise theres no sense that this space ever served anyone

a person's home is an extension of their life, what does it say about someone if they havent collected anything over their lifetime that they like and want to keep in their home, yet are constantly looking for something new and mass manufactured to dispaly? its like their life began yesterday, and suddenly theyre speedrunning it
it has neither the the comfort of a home, nor the elegance of simplicity


that aside, anyone got any videos on the matter?