Task2: The tendency of human beings to copy one another is shown in the popularity of fashion in clothes and consumer goods. To what extent do you agree and disagree?

People living in today's information era tend to share almost everything with each other and this ,to a large extent, leads to a trend that things they purchase or own are often of the same brand or of quite similar function. I think this is an interesting phenomenon that is worthy of further study.

One of the main contributors to this similarity of modern people's purchasing behaviour is media, or specifically advertisements. We now live in a commercial society where people are bombarded by all sorts of advertisements on TV,newspapers, magazines or Internet every day. Those advertisements, often featuring pop stars or celebrities,  persuade people to buy certain products they advertise. It is too easy for audiences, particularly adolescents, to think that if they own the same commodities their idols prefer, they will have the same taste and therefore not be excluded by the main trends of the society. Because of this, many people, due to the fear that they might lag behind the times in other people's eyes or cannot keep in touch with their colleagues or people around them due to lack of common interests, choose to buy the advertised products without hesitation. For example, hi-tech products like iPad , macbook, or iPhone and some apps are gaining immense popularity in many emerging countries. If someone does not possess an account on Facebook or twitter or cannot have access to internet via phones whenever he can, he might find himself gradually alienated from his previous circle of friends.

While the popularity of fashion in many commodities among ordinary people indicates the enormous power of media, it also demonstrates that people everywhere are now enjoying a greater purchasing power. It is not only the developed western countries that lead the trend of fashion ,but some emerging countries are also showing their strong impact in terms of design and technology.  Generally this is a positive trend that the gap between the rich and poor is getting narrower and people from different backgrounds can have more communication with each other due to their knowledge on a certain product in which they share the same interest. 

Overall, i think that it is the individual's preference and right to purchase or not to buy the products their friends or relatives use or recommend as long as their purchasing power permits. However, considering the tremendous influence of mass media on people's daily behaviours, it is governments' obligation to advocate a proper way of consumption in order to avoid unnecessary waste of social resources.