{"id":63128,"date":"2017-08-16T20:29:56","date_gmt":"2017-08-17T03:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=63128"},"modified":"2017-08-16T21:02:02","modified_gmt":"2017-08-17T04:02:02","slug":"why-are-we-so-obsessed-with-the-new-new-thing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/16\/why-are-we-so-obsessed-with-the-new-new-thing\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Are We So Obsessed With the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153New New Thing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Man
Man looking at his phone. London, 2014. Portra 400 + flash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m the first to admit, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m the biggest sucker to GAS (gear acquisition syndrome)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Why I want the new new thing<\/h2>\n
\"Security
Security camera in desert. Australia, 2014. Portra 400<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why? I cannot speak for you, but these are my thoughts:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. I seek to be EMPOWERED by the new new thing: Whether it be a new phone, laptop, tablet, camera, car, whatever… I somehow think that this \u00e2\u20ac\u0153thing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d will make me more productive, look cooler, and more \u00e2\u20ac\u0153efficient\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in my life. Therefore, I will earn more money, gain more followers, and be \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happier\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/li>\n
  2. I get bored of my gadgets quickly: I always stress the differences, rather than the similarities<\/a> of new gadgets and gear. <\/li>\n
  3. My life is boring. Therefore, I think buying a new gadget will bring more excitement and NEWNESS, novelty, and less \u00e2\u20ac\u0153ennui\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in my life. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    It never lasts<\/h2>\n
    \"Red
    Red hair on red background. Kodak Portra 400 with flash. London, 2014.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Psychologists call this a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153hedonic treadmill\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d in terms of our hedonism (feelings of pleasure), they quickly fade. We buy the new BMW, and we get bored of it after a month. Same with a new digital… anything.<\/p>\n

    \"London
    London man with French fry. Suits, 2013.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    It is a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153treadmill\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, because the march of technological advancement is relentless. New cameras, phones, and devices come out every 6 months or so. We are afraid of not<\/em> upgrading. We fear being \u00e2\u20ac\u0153left behind.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

    We scour rumor sites, and outsource our lack of creativity and blame our devices.<\/p>\n