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This Online Group Is All About Stuff That ‘You Didn’t Know You Wanted’ (50 New Pics)
Have you ever wondered why we all buy so much stuff? Well, I have. It doesn’t matter if you’re a subscription hoarder, a fashion addict, an new-iPhone fanatic, an aficionado of buy 3 get 1 free, a serial slipper-in adding an extra and very irrelevant item to the bag, and so on, we’re all guilty of the same thing—buying what we think we need, not realizing just how little, in fact, we need it.
Just look at how brands, their marketers and advertisers have nailed techniques to convince us to spend money, purchase things, and fuel the already prospering modern American consumerism. One online destination that takes this logic to a whole new level is the “Didn’t Know I Wanted That” subreddit.
According to the group’s description, “this subreddit is the perfect place to find all products you didn't know existed, but suddenly want, right after you've seen them!” With a whopping 1M members, the sub shares things that verge on the border of totally useless to somewhat genius, and it’s hard to tell which one is which.
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Sonali Bag
To find out more about what’s going through our minds when we feel an urge to buy things we don’t need or don’t have money for, Bored Panda reached out to professor Michael R. Solomon who happily shared some insights into consumerism and our behavior in relation to it. Michael is a professor of marketing in the Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph's University, as well as renowned international speaker and multiple book author. Check out his recent book “The New Chameleons: How to Connect with Consumers Who Defy Categorization” which gets into some of these issues discussed in the article.
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Nice View
Their, There, They're
Michael argues that in a typical day, consumers are exposed to thousands of commercial messages. “We don't pay attention to the vast majority of these, and we don't immediately act on most of them, either. However, some of this information still gets stored in memory, and it can be activated later if we encounter some kind of 'trigger event'—that could be the appearance of a new need or want, a conversation with a friend, or perhaps exposure to a similar message on another day,” he explained.
Moreover, we don't buy until a need is activated, the consumerism expert said. “But today a lot of that activation is vicarious, as we watch online posts by others whose opinions we respect (rightly or wrongly) as they advocate use of a product or service. This activation may reflect a genuine need or want that we weren't aware of—or it could just be FOMO."
Look Close.... I'm Hoping My Wife Won't Notice
I Got New Playing Cards That Are Matte Black. Unless You’re Looking Directly At The Card, It's Basically Impossible To See What They Are
Finally, Something For Everybody
Interestingly, the particular things we consume may reveal a lot about us. “There's a lot of research support for the notion that our purchases reflect our personalities and inner needs—an extravert may choose a flashier car or color than an introvert, for example,” Michael said.
He explained that indeed, “in many cases these products are part of 'the extended self'; important personal possessions and linkages to social groups like political parties or music subcultures are part of our self-concept. We have expressions like, 'you are what you wear, eat, drive, etc.' and there is a lot more truth to these than most people think! Our consumption choices—food, apparel, music, etc.—often are an expression of our values, priorities, and personalities.”
Just Gonna Leave This Here
At first I was like, aww cute toe beans. That was until I saw the balls and b******e which gave me a good giggle.
Chameleon Tape Measure
Dear heavens it's so obvious once you've seen it, why aren't they all like this?
My Husband’s Fully Reflective Iridescent Rain Set
But our urge to spend on particular things also depends on more profound things than just exterior influences, like the ads we see. This has to do with a person’s self-concept which, according to Michael, is a work in progress.
“It constantly gets fine-tuned, as we measure our worth or proficiency on different dimensions such as intellectual ability, athletic performance, body shape, etc. But these judgments can only occur if we compare ourselves to some standard—for example, my self-assessment of my skill as a tennis player depends a lot on whether I play a novice or a professional athlete.”
“That's why the process of social comparison is so important, Michael told us, “as is our choice of whom we compare ourselves to.”
Sandwich Crime
Door With A Hidden Built-In Kitty Door
I Dont Mean To Boast, But I Never Burn My Toast
However, he argues that the problem is that the media often provides a comparison point that is unattainable and so we're on a constant quest to get closer to a standard that may not even exist in real life. “For example, research shows that when young girls spend just a short time looking through pictures of women in fashion magazines, their assessments of their own appearance go down markedly. But typically the women they compare themselves to literally don't exist—they are digitally altered to be flawless so that the models don't even look like their photos!”
Credit To Nic On Twitter. Nothing Gets Me Moving Faster Than That Awful Sound
On a canal boat I thought I heard the dog widdling in the kitchen. Shot out of bed to see him having a big stretch. I still can't believe how much his claws scraping along a mosaic pattern vinyl floor sounded like a stream of widdle.
These Fan Pull-Strings
No More Squinting At The Measuring Cup Labels
Michael added that “again, social media exacerbates this process because a lot of it is about sharing a plethora of idealized images of attractive people doing glamorous things. Then that good old FOMO kicks in and we may invest in new items (cosmetics, clothing, travel, etc.) that we believe will bring us closer to this (impossible) ideal,” he concluded and added, “so the cycle continues…”
Leave Me Alone
I can see my aunt returning and never coming back after this. Thank you!
I Saw This Pic On Fb, A Rocking Chair Built With Children In Mind
Epic Dog Toy
I Want That
I’d Buy This Just Cause Of The Packaging
Luxuriating
Magnetic Goose, Peace Was Never An Option
This Is A Game Changer
Cabbage Umbrella
A Terrarium Coffee Table
My Shirt Has A Microfiber Sewn On The Inside To Clean Glasses
This is pure genius. After destroying two lenses, this is a must for me now I guess
Forallthebooks That Haven't Been Read In 2020
One For The Pranksters
Door Knockers From The Movie Labyrinth
Rook Tower Pack-Away Chess Set
Cool, but made by a Russian company and sells for $9,100 USD. So HARD PASS.
I order one on outnet.com and never get it. the price was 29.99 euros , equal 30.99 american dollars
This Faucet Gives You The Illusion That The Water Is Appearing Out Of Literally Nowhere!
This Is Ingenious
I Want The Octopus Kites
Could you imagine seeing those on a real foggy day? The invasion of the Old ones has begun. 🥴
This Ceramic Mug
I'd love to just casually place some of these around and see who falls for it.
I Like To Make Art Out Of Playing Cards. This Took Over 20 Suicide Kings All Cut With An Xacto
Switzerland Has Mini Jacuzzi Boats
Everytime I hear about Switzerland it's something amazing that gives me more reasons to have it on my bucket list.
Printed A Sisyphus Statue To Push My Tp Up A Shelf For All Eternity
Mini Whacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man
I Don't Need It. I Don't Need It
Artoo Deco
An Inflatable Water Chill Place
Wheelchair Made For Holy Roman Empress Elisabeth Christine Of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, 1740
Who Doesn't Need A Nachosaurus?
Didn't Know They Made These Huge Shower/Bathtubs In The First Place
Built-In Water Pitcher
I have that fridge. The pitcher grows mold if you don't use it all the time.
The Only Time I Wanna See Morpheous In A Bathroom
Another Great Use Of Storage Space Under The Stairs
I Don't Know Why This Exists But I Need One Right Now
Can you imagine buying this online, and when it arrives you find out that it's just large enough...to fit over your finger! ☹️😳😡
From Drink To Drunk
Saw This On Fb. Anybody Know Where I Can Find It?
https://www.amazon.com/Amacigana-Decorative-Sculpture-Nicholson-Decoration/dp/B09538XKT4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2CQKRYLZK6WRR&keywords=the+shining+bookend+sculpture+jack&qid=1646740688&sprefix=The+Shining+bookend%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExUk00RVlLTjdPNFo2JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTQ2NzUyMllPQVhMSkI5RjJCUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjYyMzUyMllJUU1RTTZENVpMSCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
After Buying A 3D Printer, I Learned CAD And Made Myself A New Cartridge Holder
Thank you so much, nothing like starting the day with a chuckle! And the occasional guffaw
Here is my contribution. I give you the tie fighter desk lamp. There is also a Millenium falcon one that I will no doubt get too at some point. :D 20220309_0...ecc82f.jpg
Ok! That was some of the coolest, useless cool stuff I've ever seen. I want it all!
Thank you so much, nothing like starting the day with a chuckle! And the occasional guffaw
Here is my contribution. I give you the tie fighter desk lamp. There is also a Millenium falcon one that I will no doubt get too at some point. :D 20220309_0...ecc82f.jpg
Ok! That was some of the coolest, useless cool stuff I've ever seen. I want it all!