We are Batteries: American Consumerism is alive and well.

There are moments where you struggle to find the right words. Perhaps it’s to a lover on Valentine’s Day, or when you go to the local Indian Bazaar. I tend to create words to identify how I am feeling as the ones at my disposal don’t seem to cut it. As Americans, we live in a consumerist society of course this is known. However, I don’t feel this adequately describes the progression of our surroundings. Consumers eat and when they have their fill they rest. As a battery it is constantly being drained. Our society has an alarming amount of aspects that make use citizens as batteries to keep it going. It may seem dramatic, and we live in a free society so you always can opt out. But I am referring to the “default” choices. The lives we would live if we didn’t strive to go against the norm.

I found myself as a battery until I started paying more attention to how I lived. For example, there are countless ways we live as batteries. We don’t buy rags anymore we use paper towels that constantly need replenishing. Kitchenware is designed as non-stick so it flakes and needs to be replaced instead of lifelong steel or cast iron. Our cars are made proprietary so we don’t have the specialty tools to service them ourselves. We don’t know how to make our own butter, cooking oil, and foods as our great grandparents did. Software and movies and games can't be purchased only subscribed. Phone performance deteriorates.

Of course most of us know there is a word for this type of design; planned obsolescence. But you’d think after Apple’s lawsuit companies would be a little more sheepish. It doesn’t seem to be the case. Let’s make sure the public gets sick by the food they eat…and when they need medical attention we will sell them pills. Let’s have them pay into Social Security their entire careers despite a personal investment would pay in spades. Let’s get them addicted to entertainment so it quells their spirit enough so they feel too good to care.

The default life has its benefits. It’s a lot more comfortable, but once you know what’s happening to you, it’s unbearable.

The difference…consumers can stop if they desire as it’s a cultural decision, batteries have no choice.