In this day and age everyone wants to have the latest gadgets. From food mixers to mp3 players, the number of technological gadgets in everyone's home is increasing. And of course if your neighbour has a new "toy", then you want one too!
Gadgets seem to be a way to show status these days. Take mobile phones for example. It is quite common for people to be embarrassed or looked down on if they have an old or basic model. Teenagers, especially, like to have the latest model to show off to their friends.
If you are invited to someone's house and they have the latest TV equipment then you will probably be impressed by this, but what will you think if they have an old style CRT TV to watch. If you're honest you will probably admit that you will feel "better" than them, even though that isn't really the case.
Other technological gadgets that people seem to think impress others are mp3 players, electronic readers such as Kindle or the Sony e-reader, and cameras. And of course the more accessories you have for your gadgets the better. From earphones to leather cases they all increase your perceived status, as long as they are official ones and not "cheap fakes" from the local market.
What we really need to consider, though, is whether this technology is really necessary. Does it make us any happier? It certainly doesn't really make us better people, so do we really need it?
