We live in times of Information overload, and often we’re unable to cope with the abundance of data being thrown at us by marketing agencies, constantly competing for our attention. Never in the history of mankind, has a man ever been exposed to so much information that it falls victim to anxiety, depression and several other mental hazards.
Is capitalism to be blamed? Capitalism, may well be the culprit but a void gives birth to new products. Perhaps deeply rooted in our habits of finding solution in consumerism, toys like Fidget spinners are born being part of the industry leeching profits off millions on anxiety of people.
Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the world right now, a global epidemic, and products promising to free you from the bubble of mental drainage are emerging all around. Little office gadgets like fidget spinners and stress balls are commonly found in offices, and often people pay a lot of money for these gadgets. There are meditation apps that promise to teach you the technique of meditation within a few minutes and promise to rid you of every psychosocial problem you’re battling. Is meditation that easy? Can a simple mobile application that costs $2.99 replicate the wisdom of thousands of years?
Fidget spinners, essential oils, meditation apps, stress balls, magnet orbiters are all part of the industry that are generating profits off the fear of anxiety. You may or may not be suffering from anxiety, but you’re convinced to spend money on something to rescue you from a mental hazard. Sure, Fidget spinner has a history of being useful to children with ADHD, anxiety, and autism, but by late 2016, versions of spinning toys made with materials like stainless steel and titanium were being sold for as much as $199.
The growing number of introverts, struggling to find the peace within are spending too much time on the internet that tells them what they’re missing out in life, easy ways to find the inner peace, 6 scientifically proven ways to live a healthier life, must travel destinations. Are we the victims of the anxiety consumerism? Guess I would have to buy an app that promises an easy way out of it.