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. With You’ll buy anything? Good for you! You’re stoking American innovation!
Posted Under: Consumer Behavior
One last thing before we* head out for the long weekend, a weekend potentially including holiday shopping:
I read this article in The Economist, about whether or not the U.S. is falling behind in innovation. The guy who makes that case the U.S. still has innovation advantages makes several interesting arguments, but the one that most intrigues me is this:
The extraordinary willingness of its consumers to try new things. Mr Bhidé insists that such “venturesome consumption” is a vital counterpart to the country’s entrepreneurial business culture.
That’s definitely something I’m going to look into. It’s a pretty fascinating argument, given that everybody’s talking about The New Frugality and everything. Could it be that America’s much-questioned (including by me) relationship to consumption is actually our secret weapon??
A more serious follow-up on this to come. (Among other things, seems to Americans are perfectly willing to buy innovations — or novelties — regardless of what country they come from.) Your thoughts appreciated.
[* When I say “we,” mean “possibly you.” The Murketing Organization does not observe holidays. Nor does it go shopping for holiday gifts, as its non-gift-receiving friends will attest.]
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Reader Comments
Very interesting point. I’m looking forward to seeing where it leads you. However, American is not alone in its “venturesome consumption.” Once again, if you look over to Korea and Japan, consumption patterns around certain products, such as beverages and consumer electronics show similar traits. For example, the number of beverage launches in Japan is well documented and “It” drinks sprout from nowhere and fade away just as quickly.
Some points are well taken, but I feel the bigger picture is not being said in this article. Of course we try new things and can buy and create bigger and better, but without advancing our education for the future we are failing to create jobs. I can go buy a new cell phone, but if don’t have the right education to land a job, I will have to pass on trying the new phone. I mean everyone has called a customer service and you dont get someone living here but a person from India with a fake name like Mike. Nearly every grad out of China is fluent in English and no vis versa. They are taking jobs and that will kill us and we are the only ones to blame if we can not better the technology in education.
Ray, I think that’s a great point about Japan and Korea.
Mark, I understand what you’re saying, but I guess I’m not in a position to evaluate this guy’s thinking in full quite yet. Have to check out his argument in more detail in the weeks ahead.
Thanks…
Okay, a pair of reeeeaaally goofy phone advertisements I think, featuring Bruce Lee:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqGQ72bre30&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-fZ6tJGJ6g&feature=related
The second one is straight up LeBron-James-making-full-court-shots ridiculous.