Both Sides of The Story

'Does the Phone make the Consumer?'

Does the smartphone laying next to you make up a part of who you are? Does it contribute to your identity and how people perceive you? Some may think 'Errr what is she on about?! How can a device make up a persons identity.?' What the phone holds and its identity has a lot of an effect on the owner and carrier as well. 


There are over 5.1 billion users of mobile phones in the world and there are currently 7 billion people living on planet earth at the moment. So more than half of our planet has a mobile phone. But the real question is what for? 

Ok so on the right is a picture of the Nokia 3310, it came out in 2000. It has he basic calling and texting features of any other simple Nokia phone. Although it was popular for SMS text messaging because it allowed three times the normal standard size. My mum purchased this phone when it came out, I was 7 years old at the time, and didn't know the value of the phone or anything for that matter!! I had to to take with me to school and anywhere else i was going so my mum could contact me and see where i was and if i was safe etc. I quickly began to notice that most of my friends had phones but even better ones that i did! That's when the 'false needs' which Herbert Marcuse talks about; began to kick in! In his book 'The One Dimensional Man' Marcuse he talks about Capitalism and the society of the Soviet Union. However he criticizes and expresses his disapproval of Consumerism arguing that its a form of social control. Herbert made a statement that made sense to why I wanted to have the latest gadget and outdo my friends, he said;

'The people recognise themselves in their commodities; they find their soul in their auto mobile, hi-fi set, split-level home, kitchen equipment.' 

In English he means we see and know who we are by getting an iPhone, and the phone in a weird way controls us. It draws us in to its features and specs, we see a majority of out family and friends using it then we conform ourself. For example take the Blackberry, which has BBM ( an instant messaging service allowing owners of any blackberry to contact another Blackberry free of charge 24/7 worldwide).  

'Does the Consumer make the Phone?'

Consumers have much power in social media, brands and other institutions that make producers modify and alter their products, in order to keep up with the consumers overpowering and always-changing needs! Take the phone on the right, this Apple's iPhone 4 has been valued at £5 millon ($8 million), and also hold the title of the most expensive phone, wrapped in gold and diamonds and containing 500 flawless cut diamonds. Consumers have majorly influenced products such as these, from their overpriced fake diamanté encrusted cases, to celebrities personalising their gadgets so much, the demand for the closest to what they have is endless.
All these mediums have been exposed to the public - mainly youths via the media. 

Not only phones do celebrities customise but like above Lil Wayne has taken it to the next level and customised his Beats by Dr.Dre heaphones!

DOPE!

Some theorists and sociologist have alternative views concerning whether the product or consumer defines each other, and they may be a different readings totally.