As we make our way down the winding lane of 2017, a certain word comes to my mind. I see evidence of its effect now more than ever before, on people young and old, rich and poor, privileged and otherwise. Society’s unrelenting grip on us has brainwashed the general populace into attaining one singular goal: conformity.

If you live in a big city, the impact of global corporations and product advertisement is immediately recognizable. On every street corner are flashing lights, blinking promotional ads, neon posters, fast-food “deals”, ripped-up clothing passing as “haute couture”, and other extraneous ephemera that nearly scream, succumb, acquiesce, conform.

But huge-scale conglomerates don’t stop at physical manifestations of marketing, no, that sort of advertising is quickly spiraling into obsolescence. TV ads and radio announcements, news briefs and social media updates, are all designed to get the unwary masses to yield to the inexorable and merciless pull of consumerism.

The great irony of it is that this process is a cyclical one. Oblivious people read promotions and watch commercials for the latest smartphone on their mobile device, which they were coaxed into buying from another one of these previous advertisements. The cycle continues, resulting in a society built by people consumed by the desire to buy the latest product, only until they see a tweet or a status update on their social media accounts that alerts them that the device they have so hungrily yearned for is no longer “cool” or “in”. People buy into the scam. The businesses win.

The same is true for all sorts of products and services, not just electronics, but also fashion, food, entertainment, and even education. Everywhere you look is an idealized depiction of an idyllic individual, tall, lean, and wildly happy as a result of, no doubt, their overpriced denim, latest smartphone, impeccable sense of style, and ridiculously expensive cup of coffee. The average person attempts to buy these things to emulate this utopic person, but inevitable fails, because the person simply does not exist. Said average person buys more and more to perhaps fill the void between the two lifestyles, but it can’t be done. The corporations win.

Neither is the suburb-dweller safe from the greedy grasp of big businesses. Television commercials creep steadily into our consciousness and outlet malls are no help at all in the matter, rife with blaring marketing frauds and impulse buys set like traps for unmindful shoppers. Big cities and suburban areas alike are susceptible to the call of conformity.

The most important thing to gain from this knowledge is, of course, that one should be aware of why they are purchasing a product or service. Is it because you really need it? Or are you brainwashed into thinking you do?

Hopefully, the majority of you are already aware of the marketing swindles that corporations come up with in order to sell products. Hopefully you can see through their flimsy veil of advertising chutzpah.

If not, then I’m afraid it’s already too late.