【20180623大陆】【20190202大陆】More and more people want to buy famous brands with clothes, cars and other items. What are the reasons behind this? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
这道题我没有采用寻常的一个问题一个主体段的架构，而是把购买动机分成“追求面子的消费”和“追求质量的消费”两种，分别讨论其原因和影响，最终得出这个趋势是中性趋势的结论。
Nowadays, there is a growing popularity for brand-name products. Some of such purchases are conspicuous consumption, while others are just in pursuit of good quality. Therefore, I regard this as a neutral development, depending on their motivation.
Some top name items purchasers identify themselves with the products they consume, equating possessions with success. For them, well-known or even luxury brands cannot only bring them gratification, but more importantly, social identity. To own a Porsche marque equals to enter the upper class, although such purchases may be way beyond their affordability, and hence forcing them to tighten their belt. In my opinion, such behavior is irrational and superficial, since material possessions can only bring short-term happiness, and does not guarantee an entrance into another class.
However, other users of brand-name products appear more levelheaded, since the thing they seek in such commodities is quality. For example, people often choose cars of famous brands, since they provide a greater sense of safety, freeing people from worries about car injuries, especially for those who often drive on the expressway. More to the point, high-quality goods can endure for years, making the cost per use lower, and surprisingly, even decreasing carbon footprint. To illustrate, clothes of famous brands often have greater endurance, which can serve for a longer period compared with fast fashion items with a reduced quality. Therefore, I regard such purchase choices smart, environmental-friendly, and economic.
In conclusion, the impacts of the pursuit of famous brands depend on its motivation. Done rationally, it brings benefits to both individuals and society. Otherwise, extravagant shopping will impose an economic burden too heavy for an individual to bear.
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