During our discussion of E-consumerism I noticed one thing in particular -- we began the discussion with the history of shopping in general, with the Agora (a marketplace for people to meet, discuss, and purchase), the general store (interaction with the store clerk), and the department store (a browsing experience where everyone can partake even if they do not have the financial means to actually purchase). Though it seems like e-consumerism is an entirely new concept, I tend to think that it is a new embodiment of all of the former means of shopping and consuming. The Internet now seems to match literally the exact definition that we provided for Agora: "the social and economic hub of the society." Communication and economic activity are available and practiced just as much on the Internet (via social networking, instant messaging, email, blogs; and online retailers, banking, etc) as they are in any real life setting, thus it seems like just as the Greeks used their 'agoras' for basically any sort of interaction they required, so do we use the Internet for all of those things. The department store also has its parallel in the online realm--on Internet shopping sites, people can navigate their way through thousands of products per day, browse different details/reviews/pricing/options for as many hours as are in the day, without ever having the obligation to purchase or even to INTEND to purchase. The browsing experience is taken to an entirely new level here though, because now not only do we have access to local department stores, but I can even browse the stock of small boutiques across the country that normally would rely only on local customers.
These similarities obviously do not suggest that E-consumerism is the SAME as in-person activities like those that occurred in the shopping experiences of centuries past, but there are definitely some parallels now that the Internet offers such a vast array of options to its users. Do you think that the transition of these activities from real-life to online action is better or worse for society's development? Is the efficiency of the Internet valuable enough that it outweighs the importance of face-to-face social interaction? Because this is essentially the reason we use the Internet for communication and shopping...it takes less effort to email than to have dinner with an old friend, and less effort to buy a shirt online that will be delivered to your door than to drive to the store. Is it worth it?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think you bring up some interesting points about e-consumerism and societies development. In recent years, doing things online has become more and more common. Because of this people have little, if any, face-to-face communication. One of my professors was talking this week about how students used to talk to loudly outside of his office and he could never get anything done. Students still sit outside of his office but instead of talking they sit on their computers and don’t talk to each other. While he is glad it is not as loud outside anymore, he thinks it is sad that students would rather be on their computers than talk to each other. He said that he thinks it is sad how dependent we have become on our computers and says he is scared that if this continues people will forget how to properly communicate. I don’t think it would ever go that far, but I do think it is sad that Internet communication is starting to decrease face-to-face communication.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point about the agora/internet providing a general medium much of society's interaction. Also true that many of our interactions (although certainly not all) take place around economic activity. The internet has definitely stepped into this role, and has, in effect, expanded the scope of the agora to encompass the entire world.
ReplyDeleteIs the transition worth it? Absolutely. The increase in economic efficiency and exchange of goods and ideas over incredible distances are invaluable, even if the cost is less face-to-face interaction.
I believe that e-consumerism and actual shopping can and will co-exist together. It will continue to be very convenient to have the option to shop online instead of parking, walking in, waiting in line and paying at the cashier when actually shopping. However, many individuals will continue to love shopping with friends, getting other people's opinions, trying things on for themselves and overall many will continue to enjoy shopping. Therefore, I think both will continue to exist. Ultimately, online models of yourself will not replace trying items on and asking friends what they think.
ReplyDeleteE-consumerism is one of those things that has both its positives and negatives. Yes, it has increased economic efficiency and broadened the exchange f goods and ideas, but it has also decreased face-to-face interactions. You have to decide which is more important, economics, or face-to-face interaction. I think that there can be a balance between the two, but at the rate the internet is going it wont be necessary to ever leave your house to interact with someone.
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of the earlier posts in that although e-consumerism has taken a strong hold in the economy, its benefits are completely different from the benefits of walking into a store and shopping the traditional way. Although it is convenient and fast to shop online, there are some things that you wouldn't trust to be represented accurately enough in pictures to buy them. For example, a woman would not buy a wedding dress or any other dress for a special occasion without trying it on, just like she wouldn't buy it straight off the rack without trying it on in the store. Obviously there are other things in life that are similar to this situation but I am merely using it as an example. For this reason I feel like e-consumerism will definitely grow in popularity over the next few years but since the benefits are so different from traditional shopping it can never completely replace it.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I feel like if e-commerce continues in this trend it does put a large damper on society. Although we use the internet to chat, network, email, etc. We aren't using it when shopping online. No questions can be asked or opinions given unless you have a friend sitting next to you. The experience lacks in socialization.
ReplyDeleteThere has got to be a point where we become too lazy socially. As much as the internet connects us to the world making it much smaller, it manages to also distance people because there is no face to face interaction.
I agree with Meg's comment about the importance of tangible interaction between shops and customers. I feel that a large part of what has made online interaction popular is the faster pace at which a good deal of people live their lives. The internet is the most important facilitator of this. However, there will always be some people who prefer to take the additional time to go shopping in stores. Though the internet can certainly accomplish the same task, the value some people place on human interaction cannot be accomplished via the internet.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Internet isolates people more than it connects them. Most people continue to frequent sites that reflect their same values and attitudes, causing them to have a narrower view of things. I'd say that this is more of a concern with political websites, for example, than it is for online shopping sites. It's interesting to see where to draw the line, however, since many suggest that you can be judged by your shopping history. There's a real gray area when it comes to which types of e-consumerism are better for us as a society and which aren't because it's really circumstantial.
ReplyDeleteMolly, I like your point about how the internet is like a meeting place for people to stay connected and communicate effectively and often. I think that it also broadens our perspective of life and gives us new views on social, political and religious aspects. For instance, has anyone ever been to stumble.com? It allows you to type in specifics about what you're interested in and finds random related web pages that you would never have otherwise found. While the internet can isolate us physically, from an intellectual perspective it helps us stay connected and in touch with those we wouldn't normally talk to. Overall, I think as a society we are more productive due to the internets vast capabilities.
ReplyDeleteOnline shopping is definitely economically worth it. You have the opportunity to look around at stores all over the world to find exactly what you want at the best price possible. We are faster and more productive on the internet, and shopping is no exception. The amount of socializing when shopping online is limited, but it is there, so online shopping is worth it.
ReplyDeleteAlthough e-commerce is growing largely, I don't think it will ever completely replace the original shopping experience. There are so many characteristics associated with online shopping that many individuals view as negatives. Some of these include: the shipping and handling fee, the time you have to wait to receive your product via mail, and that you cannot try on anything you see online.
ReplyDeleteThis transition would only be good to a certain point. If it got to the point that there were no uses for stores in buildings, the economy would go down the drain. People would lose jobs and buildings would empty out at a fast rate. This is not realistic though. There will be a peak at where people use online sources for convenience, but not as a replacement for social situations. Also, just because it takes less effort to communicate online, that doesn’t mean people will replace events with it. The example used about it being easier to send an email rather than having dinner with an old friend, is true but not valid. I use the internet to have conversations with old friends more often than I would otherwise be able to. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t go to dinner with them when I got the chance, though.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that e-commerce will likely never completely replace the original shopping experience, I do think online shopping has affected the original experience. In many ways online shopping has made actual stores more accountable and friendly to consumers. In previous years a person was limited to their immediate resources. If only one store in the town sold a specific necessity, you must purchase the item there despite quality or price. Online shopping has created an opportunity for consumers to compare prices not only amongst similar stores, but to those in other countries as well. The quality of a given product may not always be known through online shopping; however, forums and feedback postings are available to ensure trust in a given company or product. Likewise, the internet may have replaced some face to face interaction with friends and family members but it also creates a medium to keep in touch with distant friends. While I would clearly choose to spend time with many friends face to face, this is not always possible. The internet has strengthened many relationships due to convenience and lack of geographical boundaries.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think the Internet’s efficiency can ever match the face-to-face benefits of shopping in brick-and-mortar stores. I do, however, think that the current retail situation will certainly have to adjust in the future to remain profitable in this increasingly digital age. Perhaps large stores will become smaller and smaller, more specialized retailers will be able to remain in business by operating their online shipping department directly from their small retail location where their customer base is not large enough to support the business on its own. There’s always going to be a benefit to in-store shopping for both businesses and consumers. People like talking to people and they like seeing others respond to their merchandise. While the size and specialization of retail outlets might change, some industries will always retain brick-and-mortar locations and I think I like it that way.
ReplyDeleteWhile online shopping does replace the social interactions of physically going out to the store and buying products, I don't think it will have that much of an impact on these social skills. One, there will never be 100 percent online shopping. Certain things such as groceries and what not cannot be done online. Two how much social interaction is there really when buying a video game lets say, or clothing. There is some but not even to greatly enhance your interpersonal skills. In the end I am a very big advocate of online shopping and continuing to increase the purchasing capabilities of good and services via the internet.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I can say that e-consumerism is necessarily better or worse for society. There are benefits and disadvantages like for all things. Yes, technology has opened up all kinds of new doors to the world of e-consumerism, but it provides a completely different experience. If you prefer to buy clothing online or email a friend rather than have dinner with them, it is your prerogative. However, I have found that buying clothes online does not provide for you an accurate depiction of the item. When I shop online, I generally get the item and it doesn't fit or look like I thought it would. Then I have to send it back, which is much more inconvenient, so I end up keeping it and wasting money. Also, you can email your friends, but if you have the chance to meet them for dinner, it is a much more beneficial interaction.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of the comments everyone made in the sense that e-consumerism both beneficial yet detrimental to society for many different reasons. The reasons it is beneficial are far different than the reasons face-to-face contact is beneficial. For instance, when researching on my topic I learned about virtual classrooms, their benefits and how they are rapidly growing. Just like e-consumerism, virtual classrooms have many benefits and downfalls to them. The most obvious benefits would be it gives every student a chance to be in the "front row" and more introverted or shy students are able to speak up more than they would usually. Also, virtual classrooms eliminate bullying and stereotypes which could also be a problem maybe in a store where people put stereotypes on certain to think they might be trying to steal or something. However, just like too much online shopping, virtual classrooms gets rid of the face-to-face contact and social interaction that we need to be a part of every day to grow as an individual and gain people skills. I think that since these aspects of the internet are so prevalent in society we should all obviously partake, however its just like anything in life, we need to be aware of its possible consequences and it is only healthy to one's life if its used in MODERATION.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteE-consumerism should not become the dominant form of shopping or component of the retail industry. Although it is convenient, it is a way for some people to hide from society, enabling some to be hermits. Its convenient aspects can impact the extent to which people purchase beyond their means and needs.....THE QVC queens have become Ebay Queens and Amazonians!!!!! I just think it is sad how people are increasingly becoming removed from society. And in my opinion it is social interactions that lead to, increases, and facilitates the strengthening of a society. How many people are missing out because modern day (innately) Good Samaritans are shopping from home (yeah I know its a jump...but follow me)? Fewer encounters, fewer good deeds, isolated lives.....
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting point - one that I didn't pick up on in class, but I'm glad msartin brought it up. Just like a lot of online activities, I think this is mostly about convenience for the individual. Like msartin said, emails are more convenient and cheaper than "snail mail" - and browsing online is more convenient than going to the nearest mall, especially if you don't necessarily plan on buying anything. A lot of this is about the individual and how much time, money, effort he needs to spend doing an activity, not about how social the activity is.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to answer whether or not e- consumerism is better or worse for society's development. However, it definitely appeals to those who know how to use the technology in large part because of how convenient it is to shop from your home.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that e- consumerism outweighs face- to- face contact, but it is unfortunately slowly moving to replace it. I disagree that the advantages of shopping online outweigh/ are worth the cost of face to face contact. Shopping online makes us more productive and efficient in some ways. However, one might think it helps the environment because you are saving gas by not driving to the mall. Therefore, e- consumers might be lazier as a result. It is important to think about the costs of shipping and the fossil fuels used to ship a product versus traveling there yourself.