five years ago, my coworkers made fun of me for driving my shitbox. I paid off my student loans with the money that I didn't borrow for a car. My shitbox still runs.

Ай бұрын

I drive a 96 Lumina.

@KateLRoa

Ай бұрын

Your coworkers were probably the same kids that teased other kids about not having the branded shoes and clothing in school. Congratulations on paying your student loans.

@JustForRita

Ай бұрын

I drive a 20 year old truck while my work colleagues drive 80k+ cars and trucks. One lives in a shed, others rent, I own 10 acres in peace with the wildlife. I will stick with my 20 year old truck.

Ай бұрын

@@JustForRita Good !!!

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

I know exactly how you feel. Sitting in my car now about to go on a beautiful walk. All about priorities I guess. Thank you for sharing this

My father always said that keeping the populace in debt was a form of control...if you have debt you have to stick with a bad boss or job because you had no savings to fall back on if you left to find another job. From australia.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

I agree. I saw it really bad when I worked at the bank. Definitely a part of my mission to help with this. Thank you for sharing, I hope all is well🤍

@tn18977

Ай бұрын

If you're in debt you have to accept the experimental injection being forced on you so that you can make your next car and mortgage payment.

@helenarichard

25 күн бұрын

Exactly. I had some toxic jobs so I decided to start saving a lot so I could go months without jobs. They hate that so much haha. Even other people don't get it. It is really not that hard. I rather be frugal than ever have a toxic job again. They dont see that buying more stuff, more technology, more cigarettes, more alcohol, further trips, sounds like a nightmare to me instead of an advantage. Imagine going to work to buy this crap, ruin your health, stress yourself, and pay triple for this mess? First you have to work for it. Then you have to spend it. And then you become mentally and physically ill from whatever you bought. I just made a mosquito window myself because I refuse to buy those super toxic mosquito plugs. But many people do. It costs money, it ruins health, and you have to freaking work a toxic job for that. All of it is toxic. Screw that.

9 күн бұрын

So how is having a shitty boss/job controlling you?

@czolgistta

3 күн бұрын

Then don't get in debt. Most of the people can afford to do that but they are too stupid. It is always easier to put it on "them" than us.

“Advertising is cutting a hole in the soul and charging to temporarily fill it.” I wish I could remember where I heard that.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Wow!! Powerful! Absolutely going to share that! Thank you for sharing that with us🤍

@pammychica

Ай бұрын

Late Comedian Bill Hicks used to say a lot about marketing, watch his HBO show, It's Just A Ride 😂

@rogergeyer9851

Ай бұрын

I've just ignored all marketing for several decades, unless I specifically need a product and want to learn about it (like, say, a car). That and NEVER trying to keep up with the Joneses has served me very well, re saving money.

@PositivelyPessimistic42

Ай бұрын

@@pammychicamay he rest in peace “Here’s Tom with the weather”

@THX.ISH.

8 күн бұрын

Jerry Mander, an American environmentalist and author. He is known for his critiques of advertising and its impacts on society, particularly in his book "Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television," published in 1978. Chatgbt source:

A cigarrette marketing itself as "The smooth taste expectant mothers crave" is so comically evil

@ozyrob1

Ай бұрын

Yeah, that's hard to get your head around.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Its disgusting. I wonder what will be the product in 50 years we will look back on amazed it was recommended to us

@ozyrob1

Ай бұрын

@@DamonCassidy I'm sure there will be some clangers but nothing quite so evil as that smoking in pregnancy advertisement.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

I agree

@Growmap

Ай бұрын

@@DamonCassidy The current solution is for the masses to stop buying from corporations. And more of us need to return to a least a partially agrarian society. Yes, things will cost more. And people won't be able to buy as much junk. But that is a good thing for the environment and for their happiness, too. This is likely to happen whether people like it or not because inflation and food shortages are going to force it on them -- unless they want to eat bugs and fake "food".

The saddest part is that people are lonely but they’re filling that loneliness with things because they can’t connect with other people. Part of what fuels consumerism is this emptiness and lack of community. Even social media, which started out as a way to connect with people, is now the most toxic marketplace designed to fuel consumption. Maybe the thing we do need is to try to shift our focus from filling our lives with things to connecting with our community, volunteering and helping others, actively creating instead of consuming.

@MetodiSpasov

4 күн бұрын

Extremely accurate

People have been brainwashed to always want the newest shinest object.

@dreamstaete8177

Ай бұрын

So true!!

@kuebby

9 күн бұрын

People have been wearing gold jewelry for 1000s of years, I'm not sure we say it's a modern change.

@ggez5890

Күн бұрын

Brainwashed is a stretch. Most women do it gladly

Planned obsolescence makes me so angry. Its a waste of hard earned money and it’s just filling up landfills. It’s pure evil. When I buy something I expect it to last for a reeeally long time. My clothes dryer is about to go out (again!) and I’ve been trying to talk my husband into building me a frame for a clothes line because it really bothers me when I invest my money into an appliance that breaks. I’m still holding onto my tv in my bedroom that I bought in 2006. It will only work with dvds now but I’m too stubborn to replace it 😅 I’m also still holding onto my iPhone 8. The only problem is that when phones get old certain apps quit working.

@Growmap

Ай бұрын

The one that annoys me the most is whatever they do to appliances and clothing. If you want appliances that last a long time, either buy old used OR buy the cheapest new ones with knobs and ideally no LEDs or push buttons. I want to know why clothes I sewed in the 1970s were still wearable thirty years later. The patterns faded from so many washings, but the material was still strong. New material gets threadbare, stretches strangely, and easily rips within a year or two. What are they doing to material that causes it to fail in these ways?

@Growmap

Ай бұрын

Oh, avoid appliances with WiFi and Bluetooth in them. Those are just more tech to fail. Many are finding out that their "smart" appliances have software issues. If the company chooses not to update them, they fail. Note that they're also selling appliances without disclosing that they are "smart". Check the fine print to see what else is in appliances you wouldn't suspect -- like WiFi in window A/Cs and hot water heaters, for example.

@mamadoom9724

Ай бұрын

@@Growmap it seems like it’s harder to get stains out of new material too

@mamadoom9724

Ай бұрын

@@Growmap yes I agree it’s good to avoid smart appliances. They’re just too difficult to repair. My dryer isn’t smart so I’m really trying to hold onto it as long as possible. My husbands already repaired it a couple times. One of these days I might just go full blown Amish style and ditch my cell phone but it’s hard to let that one go 😬

@EntangledSingularity

Ай бұрын

Same here, still have the iPhone 8 lol. There is just no good reason to waste money on the newest flashy device when a new one will be made a couple months later. Most of it is not even much different, hardware largely stays the same year to year.

6 years ago I was $63k in bad credit card debt due to consumerism and ignorance. Fast forward today, I paid off my entire bad debt, I’m net positive at the age of 32 and I’m the richest amongest my peers (because they all have negative networth). Literally having a $0 networth is considered “rich” now. Irony isn’t it?

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

So ironic! So happy to hear about where you are now! Sky is the limit not having bad debt! I really appreciate you sharing this! I hope all is well

@MrIMCP

Ай бұрын

Keep it up brother! We are in the same boat. Wife and I paid off her student loans during the payment and interest freeze during covid and all our CC debt. We will never be going back to being in debt. Currently paying more on the house.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Incredible!! What an accomplishment! You will be completely debt free in no time! Hope you and your wife are doing well!

@SplendidNinja

Ай бұрын

The "richest" person is the one who is the most free because time is money, but also priceless.

Everything you own ends up owning you Everyone should watch fight club and office space at least once.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Most definitely!! Fight club is a must watch at least once a year. Such a great movie

You stated the key to our imploding American society when you said; "we have begun to lose what it means to be kind...to do what is right even if no one is looking". One cannot count on his/her fellow Americans to read between the lines and act accordingly and do the right thing. And THAT is how the ruling class rules us, by obfuscating the truth. Great post, well presented. Cheers.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

I absolutely agree! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for reaching out!

@Aperson66779

Ай бұрын

In honesty I feel like a total fool for being the guy who still holds to "doing what's right even when nobody is looking" because everytime I do the right thing, I'm used or punished. Like, let's look at a recent example. I warned some of my Uber passengers that they were right next to a ghetto in this bar they paid me to take them to. They're new to the city. I was given a 1* review and was reported to be impolite...

@rickkearn7100

Ай бұрын

@@Aperson66779 Yes, the colleges, universities and the mass media have created an entire voting block of woke, poser Karens.

@rogergeyer9851

Ай бұрын

Since that's almost everyone, blaming that on "the ruling class" is insane. Plus, no one is MAKING you buy ANYTHING at even close to gunpoint. Do dumb things. Blame others. Brilliant -- not.

@DamonCassidy

23 күн бұрын

You’re not a fool but I totally understand it also. Sometimes it feels exhausting almost feeling like you’re being punished for doing the right thing. I think it’s just important to also understand we’re doing it because we think it’s right and to make our own selves proud at the very least. Keep doing your best🤍

A- A day doesn't pass when I'm not staggered by how much debt-load a huge chunk of our population considers acceptable, or worse necessary. B- Wait...A Ford employee could afford a Model T? I've been working for Toyota for a decade and still can't afford a Toyota.

@TheScrubmuffin69

Ай бұрын

Toyota is better than Ford, so there's one reason. The other reason is just greed.

@hxxvxnly

Ай бұрын

this is what happens when your entire monetary system is BASED on debt

@whutcat682

Ай бұрын

Tbh, I am from Europe, and I just buy cars second-hand 💀 I can't afford to pay in full otherwise

@paulhayes2189

Ай бұрын

The real reason is that blue collar wage earnings don't allow you to buy a little house and a car anymore ​@TheScrubmuffin69

@Growmap

Ай бұрын

Well, the good news is that both Toyotas and Hondas can last over ten years and 200k+ miles. So do like I did and only buy ten year old vehicles with about 100k on them. Back when I did it, they were $2000-$2500. No telling how ridiculous they are now -- but still better than new.

Alot of people have no interest in the truth... they prefer the lie.

Great video man. My television sets are 24, and 21 years old... I hardly ever watch TV, and in 2008 cancels my subuscription to most magazines. In 2016 was when I completely pulled the plug on the one magazine I still had a subscription for. People want to believe they have free will, yet fail to realize we are being manipulated every minute of our lives. Remember, when people mended their own clothes(many times that they had made themselves), had their own gardens with vegetables, and made their own preserves? We got hoodwinked into thinking it was shameful to provide for ourselves and not buy at the stores! Even cooking has been commoditized! Keep up the good work. It's amazing what we are willing to ignore to continue with our believes and to not admit we are wrong.

@Growmap

Ай бұрын

Good plan. I haven't owned a TV most of my life so I don't watch it except for sometimes watching very old television shows to see what the programming was when I was growing up. There is a movement back to gardening, homesteading, permaculture, cooking, baking, food preservation. There are good KZread channels for all of that and even sewing and altering clothes!

I work in the cellular industry. I am always baffled by how so many can be so obsessed and how they literally fall apart emotionally and mentally because their text bubbles are green not blue. Grown adults literally break down. The message went through regardless but the color is green not blue.

@Brittbrat1000

24 күн бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Facts

@le2382

16 күн бұрын

@tranger4579 I still can't believe how petty people are with things like this.

@emilyau8023

7 күн бұрын

I had a friend who was in debt he could fix in a few months. I told him it wouldn't be a good idea to buy a $1,000 phone before getting a paycheck. What did he do? He got the $1,000 phone and has to pay that down for a set number of months because he chose to do a contract. He said he wanted it cause it was a trending phone, and it was his b day. He already had a paid off phone.

@LiamObrulicaun

3 күн бұрын

This is actually a big deal and should be of the highest priority in the cellular industry

Your last comments about people and the lack of open discussions is so true. People have become so self-centred and ignorant that it feels like you could never have an open conversation with others, unless its about themselves.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

You’re absolutely right. When I worked at a bank I knew everything about everybody, it often felt like I was a therapist but was very rarely asked anything about my life. I found typically the people that talk the most about themselves don’t have someone listening to what they’re really trying to say. I definitely feel most conversations are 75% all one sided. Thank you for reaching out

@turtleanton6539

Ай бұрын

Indeed

@turtleanton6539

Ай бұрын

​@@DamonCassidyi fully agreed

@vladimirofsvalbard9477

Ай бұрын

This!!! I feel like I'm in a world of literal NPC's. You can't have an open conversion with very many people these days. It's all programmed responses.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

No kidding! I remember a couple times I said a totally normal thing in relation to the conversation and the other person faked a laugh because they I guess thought they were supposed to laugh. How weird haha

personally ive found that not caring about fitting in is a huge plus.. also not really watching commercials for like 15 years now when i do see they they are so alien they literally have no impact. ive also found the capture of planned obsolescence is really hard to shake, tho finding quality made things is extremely difficult.. like for instance car parts, or fucking lap top computers.. btw run linux as your os if you arent

@cashington5756

Ай бұрын

Can tell you don't fit in or have friends with an os like linux

@packrat-y7j

Ай бұрын

My t410 is still kicking 😅

@TheScrubmuffin69

Ай бұрын

Yeah fuck Linux, but everything else is pretty spot on.

@w__a__l__e

Ай бұрын

@fj923n-jg2hc its whats wrong with them :P.. but in all seriousness to each their own..

@Growmap

Ай бұрын

Don't listen to them. Desk top computers can last 10+ years. And I highly recommend Linux Mint in particular. After you use Linux, Windows seems incredibly slow and annoying. Anyone who doesn't want to be "programmed" should ditch their televisions. I haven't had one most of my adult life. And commercials have zero effect on me except for some of them being incredibly annoying or creepy.

Nobody forces anybody to spend more than they can afford Americans buy things they do not need, with money they don't have, to impress people they don't like

@rebeccaspratling2865

24 күн бұрын

Yep.

@michalsvihla1403

7 күн бұрын

That's not really true. Basic necessities are now beyond affordable. There's a serious lack of real options due to shady industry-wide practices.

@RickTheClipper

7 күн бұрын

@@michalsvihla1403 Depends how You define necessities, Omit Starbucks, food delivery services, artificial vitamines, hard working people don't need a gym or a swimmingpool. Buy the car You can afford, not what You want. Why is the AC set to a temperature that You have to wear longsleaves and pullovers inside

@michalsvihla1403

7 күн бұрын

@@RickTheClipper Glad you asked. I can't afford to live on my own, much less spend any money on too much takeout. I don't drink coffee, soda or anything sweet. I don't smoke, do drugs, or own a car. I don't own anything except for a 5 year old laptop. I can only put away about 300€ a month due the high cost of everything. And everything that I can buy for my money is getting crappier every year. I can't buy easily repairable stuff anymore. That's the lack of options I'm talking about.

@RickTheClipper

7 күн бұрын

@@michalsvihla1403 Where do You live?

Ah yes! Planned obsolescence! Where they make a shovel with an iron blade, a wooden shaft, but an aluminum neck so that it snaps.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Absolutely! My dad is a carpenter and the amount of new tools he’s bought that have broken is unreal compared to the tools that were handed down from his dad

I want to fix a misconception about the light bulb deal. It stardised watts to lumens on light bulbs. Lifespan is inversely related to luminosity. Thicker the filament, the longer it lasts, and the dimmer it burns. Any development that could have increased lifespan would still have been competitive benefit to any of the companies as it would have meant more luminosity from fewer watts. When lighting was the big electricity drain, 50W bulb that gives same lifespan and luminosity as 60W bulb would have been a bestseller, but physics didn't allow for it until leds were developed really. The bulbs were always cheap. It was the electricity that cost money.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Wow! Incredible! Thank you for sharing this. Sorry for spreading the misconception

@Growmap

Ай бұрын

@@DamonCassidy Yes and no. There are bulbs still burning seemingly indefinitely. But they are dimmer. And obviously they're not in rural areas where lightening greatly reduces the lifespan of all types of bulbs including LEDs. Every light that was on when lightening struck close by either immediately popped or went out shortly after power was restored.

@elene.me.

Ай бұрын

LEDs are bad for our vision and mental health too.

I have never been in debt my whole life. Never made sense to me.

Not sad and gloomy - I found it honest and transparent. Another thing lacking in so many things in today’s world. I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if social media had been around during ww2 and the heavy hitting propaganda machines. It was horrendous as it was. I agree that kindness needs to make a comeback. Great topic!!

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

So glad you enjoyed it! You’re absolutely right! The horrendous nightmare that would’ve have been!! Kindness is so needed right now, another component I missed was forgiveness. I feel like so many of us are holding grudges for years and years and forgiveness is really needed to move forward. Great to hear from you! I hope you and your family are doing well🤍

I think that our colleges/universities also contribute to consumerism. Why? Because many graduates go to work in sales and marketing no matter what degree they get- they can't find their degree job. They make way too many graduates and those graduates aren't prepared for the job market, so the only job they can do is sales/marketing. And those sale-marketing people contribute the most to consumerism. Also, they have inflated ego, because they think that they finished their degree, and think that they are doing the real job, but in reality it's bs job. I am surprised how many stupid firms make and market stupid products and make huge money out of it.

@erwina4738

18 сағат бұрын

Atleast half of sales people fail at the job for many reasons. Some include, bad territory, cant work like a robot how most companies want them to, insane and unrealistic metrics, bad product, too much competition, etc. I used to be in sales and at first it was good but after I got laid off the next 4 jobs I had were awful. Finally had enough and went all into my business and doing much better now than I did at those 4 sh*ty sales jobs

I’ve seen two posts crying out for money recently… but when I looked at their profiles I got the impression firstly, that they’d recently separated, secondly they weren’t that wealthy with holidays to Greece, Spain, whatever but third, probably for social media, they’d blown a fortune on designer clothes not just for themselves but toddlers too…. Dolce & Cabana shoes for toddlers, Louis Vuitton etc, because they’d been selling it all. Sorry but toddlers really don’t need designer gear, and neither do adults. It reeked of look at me. No doubt why they’d seperated and got into serious financial difficulties.

@rebeccac2358

3 күн бұрын

We cant judge someones situation. Here I sometimes buy designer clothes on sale as quality is better and I would rather have better quality pieces and less, then more items of clothes but they are made of poor quality and quickly deteriorate making them unwearable. In small country the designer clothes I get are only about $30 more but quality is way better. I used to think was no point in designer clothes untill I discovered the quality difference

Fantastic video! It's like you crawled into my head lol. If I speak about these topics to friends/family, I get looks as if I have lost my mind. Keep bringing these great videos out. Thanks for taking the time to educate people 😊❤

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

I am so glad that you enjoyed it! I totally understand, I feel like I am from another planet sometimes the way I get looked at haha. I will continue to do my best! Thank you so much for reaching out! I hope all is well🤍

@denisemarie485

Ай бұрын

@@DamonCassidy I too feel like I'm from another planet. How do we get off of this one? 😂

@Growmap

Ай бұрын

@@DamonCassidy There are many like you. Check out John Kay's song "Endless Commercial". He's the lead singer in the band Steppenwolf (of Born to Be Wild fame). kzread.info/dash/bejne/fZxksZSBcaabcbw.html

@DamonCassidy

23 күн бұрын

Haha I wish I knew. I need a planet a little more kind and relaxed at the moment haha

Modern slavery - debt, consumerism, deep in mind manipulation.

Man, that was such a great presentation. You really covered some ground and not only covered consumerism fantasticly well but also dug into a lot of America's problems (and across the planet) at the moment where there is such deep division and people can't even have a conversation with someone with opposite views let alone consider what they might say could be true. My hope is America can heal itself and once again become the united States. ( that incase it's being misinterpreted does not mean "make America great again" ). I'm not meaning to single out America but the division there in just a few short years is mind blowing.

@zed739

Ай бұрын

The division has ALWAYS been there. The reason you're so shocked by the intensity over such a short time is because you aren't seeing something nasty grow from scratch, you're seeing the mask get pulled off a fully mature monster.

@arandomyoutubechannel2940

Ай бұрын

Facts!

I really am thankful I did not have children and did not squander my earnings too much just to keep up with the Joneses

@JScottHamilton

Ай бұрын

In a sense I regret not having children, but not for the reason you might think. A huge chunk of the American Dream was not making yourself rich, but to make a better life for your children. I didn't have that motivation. So instead I lived around 150% of the poverty line for a good chunk of my life and invested the extra time in mentoring others. I have never lived next to the Joneses, commuted by bicycle the better part of a decade, and had adult roommates more often than not. But somebody else's children whom I have never met will have a slightly better life.

@hxxvxnly

Ай бұрын

Kids aren't as expensive as everyone claims. I mean it's not like you have to throw the kid in an Armani suit as soon as he's born.

@hxxvxnly

Ай бұрын

the real problem is there's hardly such thing as work life balance to actually be able to RAISE your kids properly.

@azmodanpc

Ай бұрын

@@hxxvxnly I mean, taking a loan for 100k-200k for 20 years is expensive for me. That range is the projected expenses for raising a child in this age from 0 to 20. Me, I don't have that kind of money and don't want a repeat of my childhood with food insecurity. 40 years ago it was the norm and I knew many of my childhood friends who suffered through this kind of upbringing. If you are well off, knock your socks out and have three.

@joanie7107

29 күн бұрын

@@hxxvxnlyobviously you have not brought an infant into the world and incurred the expenses from 0 to 18 years . 🙄

I have stopped being a "consumer" I dont buy stuff anymore !😊 Im boycotting the overall economy now.

Refrigerators are worthless these days! I can’t believe how badly they are made- don’t last 4/5 years! Ridiculous! Same with IPhones

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Absolutely! I think this is especially the case with newer vehicles! It shocks me how poorly made these 80-100k trucks are. Totally built to be in the shop within a year

@pinkfreud62

Ай бұрын

When I bought my little bungalow in '97, they replaced their fancy fridge with a new plain Hot Point for me and it's still running perfect today. It's a shame how bad quality has become just to keep us buying essentials.

There's a potential where we don't need to eat bacon or eggs in the morning. We can eat anything we want.

@TheScrubmuffin69

Ай бұрын

I don't eat breakfast

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

I’ve never liked eating breakfast but where they really got me is I eat eggs for lunch hahaha!

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Intermittent fasting is wonderful

@vladimirofsvalbard9477

Ай бұрын

Funny, I can't do eggs or bacon anymore. Makes me feel psychological and physically ill. No wonder, considering how horrible both of this industries are. A salted banana and a charred steak are my go-to.

War is also big money. Look at what the contractors and civilians get for supplying ammunition, basic needs, etc. congress and the senators have stock in all of these vendors.

About 70% of the economy is based upon consumer spending so if you stop buying things the economy will contract.

@rubensano4860

Ай бұрын

Good.

@onlycreamofthecrop

Ай бұрын

As an economist I can assure you this is a widely adopted misconception, perhaps pushed as propaganda from the credit card companies #1) people will always be a consumer as we have basic needs that require money. #2) Think logically about what happens in two families. Family #1 spends 10% more money than they make for 5 years in a row and puts it on a credit card. Assuming they made $100,000 at the end of 5 years they spent $550,000. Moving forward they would have $88,000 to spend a year for the rest of their life. Same family, but they spend 10% less for 5 years will only spend $450,000 for 5 years. They will then have $105,000 to spend a year for the rest of their lives. That’s a $17,000 a year difference for life. On top of that the $100k principal doesn’t go away. If every citizen saves and spends on different cycles, the economy is far better off with savers than spenders

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Absolutely, it would be nice to see more of a priority into infrastructure to help a bit with that percentage

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Really interesting! Thank you for sharing this

@MrSteeDoo

Ай бұрын

So be it.

Great video. So much of everything we buy isn't just cheaply made, but purposely designed to break after a certain period of time. This includes cars, phones, appliances, just about everything and there's always special exclusions and caps to the warranties they supposedly come with. The Right to Repair movement struck me as a nice and good idea, but if the last decade has shown us anything, we need to drill into ourselves the importance and need to develop the skills to repair our own tools, computers, appliances, furniture, whatever it may be. When you fix something, you take pride in it. Same as if you build it. That's the first step in getting people to realize they don't need that new upgrade or product; they need to have pride in what they have.

@JScottHamilton

Ай бұрын

When I worked in the computer industry in the late 1990s, the design standard was "Mean Time Between Failure" (MTBF) of 60 months, e.g. 5 years. If components didn't support a 5 year MTBF, then computers couldn't last for five years without breaking down. This was when you could repair a computer for far less money than replacing one, and I repaired my original Macintosh computer twice. Now with sealed batteries in both phones and laptops, you're lucky to get two to three years out of these devices. When appliances turn into leased experiences, your personal economic situation is worse off.

This is a great video! It's pretty shocking to read statements that are decidedly undemocratic, such as the majority of Americans have lower intellects. A true democracy would not allow the manipulation of its people to enrich an elite class, but that's where we are, isn't it? We must remember, we're citizens, not consumers. Great information! ❤

'Men will always be mad, and those who think they can cure them are the maddest of all.' - Voltaire. -- GREAT VIDEO! Thank you for your hard work!!! All we can do is what you did here: give people the information and let them do what they will. At least it's the right thing and I think you may make a dent.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your kind words! What a powerful quote! Doing the best I can! I hope all is well🤍

I wonder if Bernays knew just how much societal chaos his ideas would end up unleashing. Probably not.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

I don’t think so, after reading so much about him I genuinely think he thought he was doing good for society. So wild

Think thats bad, work a labor job where you have to provide your own tools. Hundred dollars for a ratcheting wrench is fucking insane. You can buy cheap ones but then I end up purchasing multiple for the same cost as one good one. People laugh because all my cars are 25+ years old until they ask for help and see how much parts cost, especially "cheap" electrical components.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

It is absolutely unreal. My dad has been a carpenter my entire life and the amount of money he has invested in his tools is something most people do not think about. It really limits the barrier of entry. Thank you for sharing this

"Today more than 70% of Americans eat bacon in the morning"... I don't quite believe that amount of people do so regularly, but that would make sense with how unhealthy we are becoming. I just can't think of a more unhealthy thing to be eating, ironically in the name of a "healthier breakfast".

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

So ironic isn’t it! I don’t think it’s as common as that either, at least I can’t imagine it! If you have time look up the sandwich Elvis ate everyday! That has to skew the numbers hahah

Your video is a good reminder that critical thinking and the ability to resist impulse buying are necessary skills in life.

Thanks for this video! It was actually pretty helpful on understanding what people have meant by “consuming” things - most of the stuff I buy is to make something (music, art, videos) and my metrics are usually for its utility or if it matches what I was looking for already. Advertising has always seemed weird and forced and almost begging-like at times. And if I ever run into people that care about what I wear or have, I just avoid them, because they don’t care about anything interesting lol.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Absolutely! Glad that it was able to provide some value! I agree, especially with car commercials. Never makes sense and is so incredibly unrealistic from practical use. I appreciate you reaching out🤍

This one, as many of your other videos are very inspiring to make positive change in our lives! I hope all of your content continues to grow and help as many people as possible. I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to witness your work. Cheers!

Another great Sunday video!! Great work!

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

So glad you enjoyed! Hope all is well!

Thank you so much for your time and honesty. I learn so much from you and embarrassingly enough… myself. I also hope the issue you had with your lungs is gone and you’re 100%. I’m so glad you made the decision to quit your banking job and create this content. Stay safe and keep the faith!

You've likely already seen it but the PBS Docu series "The Great Depression" (from the 90's) is absolutely fascinating. Must watch. Free on KZread

@rebeccac2358

3 күн бұрын

Thank you for this recommendation. I am watching it right now and seems interesting. A few videos popped up im watching ' The Great Depression- America's biggest economic Crisis by Free documentary - History

Hi Damon! Loved the video, but the main ad at 7:05 was a fake ad created for the video game "Rapture", so is the cigarette company. Even thought cigarette companies at the time did definitely downplay the negative health affects of smoking.

I tend to be more on the addictive side and not just to drugs, but all kinda of stuff, but because I didn't really deal with society so well, being fairly autistic at root, I don't get integrated better into society, but just trampled by the tactics of this social engineered cognitive programming. I only ever see it's evil and nothing good, so I really appreciate this explanation. Maybe, understanding it, I could at least understand how to avoid what's done on purpose.

This is the kind of history lesson I should have paid attention to in school (assuming it was even covered. I honestly don't remember). Fantastic video my friend. You earned a new subscriber.

@Iquey

Ай бұрын

They likely wouldn't cover this unless you took an elective like Psychology and Media Literacy like I did.

We can’t even herd our kids together in schools to create community anymore… Let alone have manufacturing jobs on our shores for them to go to…

We’re all consumers. The level of self control, budget, and how much we want the item or how much we want to impress people is what will ruin your finances.

I have never impulse bought since I became an adult and I don't understand why others do. I did have friends who shamed me for saving and investing my money. They're not my friends anymore.

❤ Shared. You said what I had been feeling but couldn't put into words. Everyone agrees that we've completely lost humanity and the art of conversation. 😢

I really, really liked your speech at the end. When I was in college I worked as a teacher's aide in a preschool classroom, and something I remember very profoundly was the realization of just how subtly consumerism can affect one's behavior (obsession with brands, IPs, franchises, products, etc... this was a classroom after all and we had LOTS of books and various types of other toys in addition to our classroom materials to entertain them during free periods, so the debate of "Want VS Need" was something that came up every now and then), even when we're very young, and we would always do our best to mitigate this by modeling the right behavior whenever we could; pointing out the positive traits of the things that we *do* own, no matter where we got them or how long we've had them in our possession. For example, one of us might say to the other "Miss [x], I really like the sweater you're wearing!" and the other would reply, "Thank you! It's soft and it keeps me warm".

Hey Damon great message and content. Maybe a good step into learn to spend using ‘value’ and ‘impact’ rather than want. And yes, help each other and be a community.

Telling us to work for the money just to give it right back to them. The workers are also the customers

@DamonCassidy

17 күн бұрын

Absolutely right! It’s a gnarly cycle

thought this was a really interesting video, and i love how you connected all of the history. one thing i think warrants further discussion is your conclusion- while i agree on the importance of communication and kindness, i feel like after a long overview of the systematic ways in which people are manipulated by education, government, and corporations putting the focus in the individual to make better decisions feels like letting everyone who made individuals this way off the hook. i’d love to see your thoughts on ways we can fight back against these systems, as in my personal opinion i feel like that could create a more lasting mindset change in our society!

This video makes me think of the iPhone I just had to replace, which had a weak battery but was otherwise doing fine until one day it just stopped working, wouldn't connect to the cell system at all, so became useless away from Wi-Fi. Allegedly there was a known hardware issue. The solution? Of course, another phone. At least I bought used.

Yes, that's so true. Thanks for the talk.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for reaching out🤍

I own a Used 1995 House, 1991 SUV and 2012 Scooter... If I'll do the Life Style of "Always Buy Updated, Brand New, Bigger, Shinier and Better", I won't be able to pay, sustain and maintain 3 of these, have savings and invest in new opportunities... Be wise brothers and sisters ...

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Absolutely!! I just put new mats inside my car and how incredible that small change feels makes it feel like a brand new car. These are the things that help us afford a more peaceful intentional life! Thank you for sharing🤍

@mrgtmodernretrogamingtech6891

Ай бұрын

@@DamonCassidy Never stop opening the eyes and helping the people stuck in this system sir! More Powers!

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

🤍

This is an excellent video which addresses the importance of discussion, independent thought, free will and kindness.

I’ve been watching KZread for over a decade. This is the best and most impactful video I have ever watched on this app.

Catching up on your videos. Quality analysis, as always!

3:34 I had a friend who commented about how the newest Land Rover always made the prior model appear so out of date. I had no idea what he was going on about but sure enough it’s a thing for some people.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Absolutely! It’s unreal looking at the quality and usability of certain older vehicles compared to their newer editions. Really unfortunate

But then again... does humanity trully deserve to be saved? what does the humanity at large bring to the universe that is of sustance or value?

@JScottHamilton

Ай бұрын

Human ancestors may have lived for million years, but humanity as we know it today is still a toddler. We won't know the answer to that question until humanity decides to grow up and embrace adulting.

I'll never understand how people can be so consumeristic. Saving is the way to go

I have recently subscribed to your channel and I want to congratulate you on your content!!! Your voice tone is extremely powerful and I think you would be a wonderful TV anchor!!!

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your kind words!! I really appreciate your support!! That would be incredible! Would love to offer a sense of stability on a platform like that. I hope all is well🤍

Really great video mate! Keep up the good work 🤘🏻

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

So glad you enjoyed it! I hope all is well!

New sub from England really enjoying your content. Thank you.

What a great video. So many interesting points covered while offering great personal insights. I've never seen your channel but I'll be sure to check out more and subscribe. Keep up the good work.

I think a good question to ask is whether elite cynicism is the problem at hand. Obviously Bernays struck gold in this idea that a well-pitched narrative is the best advertising campaign since it captures the public imagination so well. But as you said earlier, the more information we are exposed to, the less critical we become. It feels like in 2024 this idea that many people lack criticality, or self-regulation has become pervasive. Needless to say, these people exist in society today, and I am sure there is fantastic market research on how people behave at the individual level, needless to say I think its not unfounded to suggest that there are broad profiles and categories built on these behaviours which create a "type" of person in society. From the philosophical perspective, many people seem to argue that self-determination is possessed by the minority of people. If we are aware of this, imagine what these kind of people with near oligarchical-power are able to accomplish if they operate under this assumption. This feeling of unease which has captured our modern society in the past five or so years may be a result of this type of mass-manipulation.

It's a double edge sword, I work in cellular industry and the amount of people drowning in debt from financing phones is quite alarming. At the time it's a necessary evil that pays us workers. If we don't have people buying things the business can't pay it's employees which leads to layoffs etc.

I believe in balance, the middle road, the kindness, the courageous acts ,the intelligence we all are capable of educating ourselves and listening to our inner morals, the ability to lose the ego and greed that rising around us. All we need to do is to start initiating steps with opened mindset. I love this video. I feel this is the most authentic video I have seen so far. Thank you for your time creating such an impactful contemt 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

You can believe that people are human beings and not just a number on a spreadsheet all you like, but the people pulling the levers absolutely do not.

I haven’t had any spending money in my bank account for 6 months now. My job still gives out checks cause it’s so expensive to do direct deposit for small business. Only have a banks account open so I don’t get charged $10 each time I cash a check & for when I do wanna buy something online or pay a bill it m makes me actually think about what I’m buying & if I really want it I’m 25 by the way

the game was rigged from the start brotha... the average joe has so many cards stacked against him, you're set up to drown financially

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

I unfortunately agree in many ways, I believe this is why practical education is so incredibly important right now. Thank you for reaching out

The last chapter of this video just brightened my entire day. I try to live by "be kind to each other," or as you said, "lead with kindness." I believe that it will be an important first step toward all of us helping all of us into a better situation. Thank you.

Damon, you can see in your eyes that you are very passionate about what you are speaking about. I really appreciate the stance you take.It’s not all gloom as you say. I love how the video brings up history and data. You’ve done your homework and that matched with your views and opinions was great to watch. My eyes are opening to consumerism and I’m starting to see that we put on shackles (debts) but the shackles was given to us in disguise of shiny goods. The cost of these goods that aren’t needs weigh heavy on our body, mind and soul. It’s not just financial we are impacted and most people realise too late when the debts are uncontrollable. I hope we can do better than this with better awareness and better decision making. 😊

Thank you and I completely agree with your message at the end 🙏🏾

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Absolutely! So glad that it provided value! I hope you’re doing well🤍

I think this video is very well and thoughtfully done.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

I am so glad you enjoyed! Thank you for your kind words!

wow those people might have brought the totall extinction of humanity with that

Great video you’ve given me a lot to think about but same time. Where do we start? We even reverse it. when we live in a day that seeing another human is more fearful than seeing a bear in the wild

I bought that Lexus Brandon and it feels great…I liquidated my KO stock because I didn’t want a car payment

Great video. Glad KZread recommended this video and your channel.

@DamonCassidy

16 күн бұрын

So glad that it provided value to you! I really appreciate your support! I hope you’re doing well🤍

Thank you sir

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Absolutely! Hope all is well!

Farmers, engineers and doctors are what we NEED. Everything else, is optional. Politicians and lawyers included. C’mon we could be ok without all of that

@Destroyer_V0

Ай бұрын

Depends how much you like having a code of laws that most people follow.

@albongo3949

Ай бұрын

@@Destroyer_V0 in the last 5 or so years we’ve all witnessed so many run rough shot on these laws. It almost seems like the laws don’t apply to everyone, and terms like treason are held behind closed doors.

@Destroyer_V0

Ай бұрын

@@albongo3949 *Sighs* Yeaaah...

Subscribed. Great information presented here! Thank you.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your support! So glad it provided value! I hope all is well!

This was brilliant. Good job!

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

So glad you enjoyed! Thank you for reaching out!

I buy sh*t on Amazon. A lot. But, I’m a multi-millionaire. Retired. Have multiple summer homes. Zero debt except taxes and my AMEX. THATS why I can buy sh*t. Heck I just bought a new Leica camera for a Two month summer vacation. How? I got out of debt in 2005. Paid for cars. Both 2016 Toyotas in outstanding condition. While my neighbors struggle and drive off every morning to their crappy, hated jobs I retired early AND still bring in over 200k a year!

@economicdevelopmentplannin8715

Ай бұрын

How'd you become a millionaire

This was a great video! Thank you 😊

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

So glad you enjoyed! Thank you for reaching out🤍

Pity people with their Pathetic Consumer Driven Life, if they are suffering financially it is their own fault. What a person spends is their lifestyle, if a person is deep in debt or living paycheck to paycheck it is because they are living a lifestyle they cannot afford. Get real with your choices. 50% of your earnings should go to maintaining your lifestyle, cut expenses, cut subscriptions, make your own meals, drive an older car, do what it takes match your lifestyle to 50% earnings, the rest of earnings should be saved for emergencies & retirement.

Zero consumerism is gaining momentum and is the way to go. Understanding "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs" will help align with selective purchases during unpredictable economic times and minimize the expenditure on unnecessary (luxury) merchandise. Consumers need to take control and incorporate critical analysis and thinking into their spending habits, regardless of purchasing power, to avoid getting caught in credit card debt traps.

@DamonCassidy

4 күн бұрын

Absolutely! Critical thinking is something society really needs more of! Eliminates so much unnecessary spending

Why does amazon and apple have to improve their product and prices? Because if they fall behind, others will succeed in their place over time.

@JScottHamilton

Ай бұрын

Yes and no. Apple experimented with Macintosh "clones" (Umax) in the late 1990s, and for various reasons abandoned the project, kept their proprietary technology, and kept their economic moat. They were "behind" the PC/Microsoft platform for decades, barely holding on to 3% - 5% of the computer market. When the iPhone was first released, it was arguably a technologically inferior product, but it killed Nokia's business model with the advent of the smartphone. Today, Apple is in the top 5 companies by market value, companies like Compac and Gateway no longer exist, and Nokia is a shadow of its former self. But Apple has been lagging its own baseline for comparison, not because they haven't improved their products, but because they haven't innovated their product lines since Steve Jobs left the world. Companies that don't lead or at least keep up with innovation get left behind.

I have covid, but I bumped into this randomly (or because Google heard me trashing Bernays the other day) - I think that the level of choice overwhelms people, and combine that with the idea that people don't want to be the bad guy, and by 'not knowing' they're potentially a 'bad guy' - it shuts down communication on a lot of levels. I could write more, but brain is fried, so I will leave this for later.

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

I believe you’re absolutely right. There’s so many components that goes it into it! I really hope you get to feeling better, thank you for reaching out!

@JScottHamilton

Ай бұрын

I have choice over thousands of print magazines, but no longer subscribe to any of them. Choice starts with the consumer, and choice should be first and foremost governed by what distractions you allow into your life. Making no choice because all the options are terrible should be your first priority. The minimalist chooses to live with as few distractions by _stuff_ as possible. When people decide to live with purpose in mind, false choices fade away.

@packrat-y7j

Ай бұрын

@@DamonCassidy i studied Anthropology as an undergraduate with a focus on economics. I have spent a great deal of time reading/thinking about this stuff lol

@packrat-y7j

Ай бұрын

@@JScottHamilton This is a fine philosophy, but you gotta understand a lot of people that have been hit with the I'll effects of PR/Bernays, aren't always aware of what's transpired, and may be incapable of doing what you suggest.

Keep these coming!

Great video thanks for making

I don't buy anything anymore. I am fighting inflation and just imvesting and growing my wealth living my frugal lifestyle. So i am doing something about it.

@adoroselatte

24 күн бұрын

Me too! Though at times I like to thrift for cheaper alternatives instead of buying in store.

Good video I learned some things I didn't know before.

Thanks for your videos 👌

@DamonCassidy

Ай бұрын

Of course! Thank you for reaching out!

To consume is to die. I appreciate your analysis.

@DamonCassidy

4 күн бұрын

So glad you enjoyed it!

Everyone is WASTING THEIR LIFE AWAY working to be able to afford bullshit. I'm the cheapest person in the world and am immune to being convinced that I need something. I am TOO SMART to worry about impressing people and looking wealthy. Meanwhile, the average human (idiot) busting their ass to buy shit they don't need is making other shit cheaper for ME. That is my CHEAT CODE. Be smart and let others lose so you can win. 😊

Thank you for this video