Forget TB, What Is Modern Consumption Disease Is Causing?

Isn’t it funny how the most controversial things always grab media attention, while our “consumption disease” quietly eats away at our sanity? First it was the original  smartsphone, then  we had its second model, and so on.  And here’s the kicker: sometimes the older devices are actually better than the new model! But does that stop us? Not a chance. Tech addiction and gadget obsession have us scrambling for every upgrade, whether it truly improves our lives or not.

consumption disease

I once knew a guy—let’s call him Kevin. Kevin was a hardworking man, a loving father, and a devoted husband. But one day, a new smartphone was upgraded to a new model. Suddenly, Kevin’s life revolved around getting that shiny new gadget. He camped outside the store for three days, surviving on energy drinks and leftover donuts. He posted live updates on social media, documented every sneeze, every step toward the store.

By the time Kevin got home with his prize, he realized he hadn’t fed his kids in three days, his wife had packed up and gone to visit her sister, and his boss had fired him for missing important meetings. Kevin had chased the new gadget so hard that he lost everything that truly mattered. Yes, it was an extreme case—but isn’t that the point? Our obsession with the “latest and greatest” can make us blind to reality.

This is the essence of our new gadget craze. Consumption disease—once a term reserved for tuberculosis—is now better applied to our insatiable craving for the newest, shiniest tech. Our digital overconsumption risks are real: sleepless nights, endless scrolling, compulsive downloads. We are literally training ourselves to crave novelty, to click first and think later.

Now imagine this on a global scale. Suppose someone—be it a rogue hacker, a malevolent AI, or a mischief-loving alien—decides to exploit our obsession. All they need is one controversial game, app, or piece of content, and our consumption disease will have us diving in like hungry piranhas. Whether it’s harmless entertainment or something dangerous, the effect is the same: millions of people blindly following the trend.

Here’s the ironic part: sometimes the latest device is actually worse than the previous model. Yet tech upgrades, even when inferior, feed the consumption disease. This obsession makes us vulnerable, easily manipulated, and oblivious to consequences. Kevin’s story might seem funny in hindsight, but it’s a warning we all need to take seriously.

It’s not just about gadgets, either. Our attention can be hijacked by ideas, media, or social trends. Groups bent on disruption—through terrorism, digital chaos, or psychological manipulation—can exploit our addiction to novelty. Run with it, and suddenly millions are following without even knowing why.

The moral is clear: we need to think fast and stay aware. Our consumption disease—our relentless drive to chase the latest tech, viral content, and trending ideas—could create situations we can’t stop. Digital over-consumption isn’t just a personal problem; it’s a global vulnerability. Will we wake up before it’s too late—or will we all be Kevin, camped outside a store for three days while the world passes us by?

 💡 By the Way....

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