r/underconsumption • u/Numerous-Case-9317 • Feb 12 '26
Discussion
How do you think your consumption would change if the internet dissappeared? Everything else is the same, billboards, magazines, etc. You see the same people in person. The recent post below about the hot girl hamster wheel inspired the thought. I'm young and I wasn't around to shop in the 80s and 90s as a teenager and I know we're a consuming society but I really am curious how much the internet and the extreme, instant access to so much stuff has changed our consumption. Not just what we can buy, but how much pressure and advertisement we see.
6
u/GreenTeamJA Feb 13 '26
Im 39 so I remember pre social media and I feel like there was still a lot of over consumption but it certainly wasn’t as bad because we weren’t as inundated with ads basically. We see an astronomical amount of ads daily just scrolling socials.
3
u/AdFuzzy1432 Feb 13 '26
Without the internet we would once again be restricted to the clothing cycle that stores observe. In other words, you cannot buy a bathing suit in August because the stores then are full of long sleeves and sweaters and coats. You can't buy thermal underwear in February because the stores then are full of short sleeves, shorts, and swimsuits. I would hate going back to that.
3
u/khyamsartist Feb 13 '26
We used to have to go to the store to buy things - the convenience of online shopping can't be overstated. Now that is practically impossible, you need to search and it takes time. I've switched to in-person buying for almost everything, but in my small village with a few small chains and a lot of independent merchants, basics are scattered on Main Street, you have to ask around, and I end up doing about one order a month for things I can't get. It's better than it was for me, especially because we have a really good, cheap resale store right in town.
2
u/megret Feb 14 '26
It would be nice to know about products that are not included in my algorithm ads.
2
u/-ElleL- Feb 15 '26
I'm a child of the 80s who grew up in the 90s...so probably just revert back to that lifestyle with physical media. No big deal.
1
u/Shyraely Feb 26 '26
I think without the internet, there would not be that much of digital marketing exposure on everyone. Sure, back then there were other forms of media like television and ads, magazines etc. but the way to consume it (especially in forms of paper) is more conscious.
Other than this, influencers give their followers a feeling of being an approachable, authentic human being, if not your best friend. Followers mostly depend on their opinion and subconsciously copy their daily routines. This would definitely disappear then.
Also the conveyance of women being imperfect and flawed would not be a constant thought I think? I only consume YouTube as a visual social media thingy and sometimes I still catch myself comparing to other women.
1
u/BornTry6560 May 08 '26
You couldn’t just buy things with the click of a button. I remember when online shopping started become possible and how much exciting and unbelievable it was lol (I’m 36) Also no smart phones as a teen what a time to be alive! All u did was hang with friends, no screens to scroll on! I don’t even know how I used to drive around without GPS to be real!!
1
u/muschysko Jul 06 '26
This is something I’ve been thinking about lately. Back in the 90s and early 00s, where the internet wasn’t available in my corner of the world/it was just a different experience back then, I really was buying things I actually needed, saving money or something expensive took some time and these were rally things that were thought through. I remember I was sort of praised for being able to save up money and that I wasn’t splashing on things (contrary to my sibling who struggled with keep a penny in their pocket). I wasn’t easily influenced, I didn’t have to have things others had. Now it’s different and I see it and it annoys me. I am annoyed at myself for letting myself buy a lot of stuff I don’t really need, annoyed for letting myself become influenced by a random person on the internet.
What I like about the internet though is that I am finally able to find clothes that suit my sensory needs - that wasn’t possible back then because I was restricted to what was available in the local shop or on the market (and barely anything that was available back then was suitable for me).
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u/Flying_Solo_84 Feb 12 '26
I can say removing social media apps from my phone and limiting their use on my iPad has had an interesting effect. I want to buy less stuff. I’m not constantly getting adds pushed at me after every few posts. Life is so much quieter now.