Yep, he's got 'em pegged!

Many would agree that Socrates was a great intellectual, who even commented on human happiness (and current consumerism issues) from time to time. In one instance he said, "He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have." Well, apparently the Ancient Greeks knew so much more about happiness than today's society! Many people are caught in a whirlpool of continual buying, as more and more attractive merchandise come out monthly or weekly. Such people cannot truly be happy as they are always wanting something more and wantonly wasting that which they already possess. Take the die-hard clothing fanatic who is always watching and waiting for new styles, and when not contemplating the next big thing she (maybe he... not as likely. No offense ladies) flaunts her trendy clothes or brand new, gaudy, expensive accessories. Whenever a new style does come out, such a person will rush to the nearest mall or speciality clothing store and purchase nearly everything affiliated with that style, probably change in a bathroom at said store in order to avoid being seen in a style so last weekend, and stroll out, only to dispose of her old clothing at the next given chance. And then wait anxiously for the next sudden shift in the fashion world... Sounds like fun, huh?

It's an Adventure and an Experience!

As of late, products have been advertised as if they offer some sort of experience or adventure involved with them. Below is a perfect example.









Do I have any doubt that driving this truck through a vast desert with no speed limit would be extremely fun? NO WAY! But would the consumer that bought this ever get that opportunity? Probably not. Presenting that opportunity to the consumer has become a prevalent advertising technique, as people have begun spending less on material objects and more on experience. Though some may call this technique underhanded and possibly subliminal, a sort of carrot dangling before the eyes of a hungry rabbit, I see this as a clever way to entice a customer by showing the potential of their new vehicle. I mean while driving like a man-on-the-run through the desert is not likely (nor wise if someone is a man on the run; dust trails people, dust trails), similar adventures, or misadventures, such as mudding or other off road driving is probably readily available. At least the consumer can haul a boat or something behind it to a lake, and have a wonderful time there. Either way though, it's rather impressive how producers--or at least sellers--can read the public and advertise to fit their current interests.


"08 Dodge Ram Trucks Dodge Ram." Dodge Ram - Dodge Ram 1500, Dodge Ram Accessories, Dodge Ram Parts, 1994 Dodge Ram Diesel Pickup Speed Sensor Location, Dodge Ram 2500 Hemi, Dodge Ram Forum. 19 Apr. 2010. Web. 25 Feb. 2011. .

Reading List

I have read three books, the equivalent of eight books.

• Fahrenheit 451, 208 Pages
• The Lost Hero, 576 Pages
• The Lost Symbol, 656 Pages

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown enticed me with its constant action, suspense, and mixture of both fact and fiction flawlessly and seemingly facilely. Robert Langdon again finds himself in a situation of massive powers colliding as a deranged evil maniac tries to snuff out the light and hope of the world, as well as the Masonic order. Through a huge interconnected web of coincidences, everything falls into place as the end nears, eventually culminating in a dramatic thrilling finale and the revelation of a multimillenia old secret. The Lost Symbol truly thrills and grips to the last page and beyond.