iPod, iPhone, iRobot. When Will The Massive Ego-Trip End?

Is that a new necklace? No! It’s portable washer and dryer. And guess what? It has Wi-Fi, a satellite television hookup, 150GB Mp3 player, its own polyphonic ringtone, and a cup holder! If I’d bought the deluxe model, I could tell you the time in 7 major cities around the world all at once! It almost sounds like the i-Phone.

The advancement of technology is a fine thing in moderation. In my opinion, it changes too rapidly for most people to be content with what they have. Of course that doesn’t just apply to technology but that’s beside the point. Let’s use cell phones as a prime example. Imagine that you’ve bought a brand new, expensive cell phone. You have all the top features such as internet service, e-mail, Mp3 player, etc… A month or so later, something newer and sleeker comes onto the market. Perhaps it’s a better model of the same phone you have. Will you buy it? You may think you know yourself all to well to say, "No way. I don’t need that. I’m quite happy with my older model." This sounds like an ideal answer but if everyone shared that view, why do we have so many different phones pouring on and off shelves everyday? It’s the same case with televisions, desktops, laptops, Mp3 players, cameras, and hundreds of other digital devices.

There are many reasons as to why some have large egos. Owning new technology is just one of the many elements that push a swollen head to new, overbearing dimensions. People are addicted to having the newest thing. A status symbol Whether it be for their own enjoyment or simply to shove into other people’s faces who can’t afford such luxuries. People who act in such a manner usually have overly inflated egos at it is and so when they attack others such a manner, it puts them on an ego-trip. Those are the kind of people I tend to dislike the most.

I can personally say I’m happy without the newest and most expensive items available. If you can believe it, my computer is almost 3 years old. I’ll give you a moment to recover from the shock. Most people are wasteful by nature and don’t even consider how much money they can save by just making due with that they have. Chances are that whatever the desired object is, it will certainly come down in price if waited upon. Don’t worry. It won’t have any less features or shiny buttons if you wait awhile.

Evolving technology isn’t all bad. It’s great in the medical and scientific fields. On the normal consumer level however, it houses the danger of creating egotistic jerks. I’m sure that some of you more learned consumers know that the word "new" isn’t a synonym for "better." These egotists think they can walk on water because they can afford to have the newest device on the market. To those of you who fit that description, I pass on this highly philosophical piece of advice.

Get over yourself.

We need to consider the idea that just because one can afford something, it doesn’t mean one needs to own it. Especially right away. When the individual consumer can cut back on needless wants and learn to have a little bit of patience, there may be a bit less ego in the air for everyone to choke on.