the problem of consumption

Young people in prosperous countries are 'intense consumers'.

The significance of consumption in many young people’s lives is related to their lack of power in other spheres.

Nike, Levi, Coca Cola and other companies spend huge sums of money in promoting their brands by seeking to make them an integral part of the way we understand, or would like to see, ourselves. 

Yet consumption does not bring happiness. Once a certain level of material well-being is achieved having more wealth and possessions bring little or no increase in our feelings of well-being.