Many people see others getting the newest phone or computer and feel like they are behind on the social trend. A piece of this state of mind is the compulsive competiveness of seeing someone with something new that you don't have. Another part in this feeling of needing could be related to survival of the fittest. Seeing someone with access to a greater amount of knowledge or with the special new features in their technology can leave those who don't have the most recent technology feeling like they are at a disadvantage. This makes the people without the newest technology feel like they need to be on the same playing field as those who do.

I find your connection of having the latest technology to survival of the fittest and wanting to be in the best possible position very interesting. I've always seen it more as a status thing–being able to "show off" your brand new phone etc.

I've always followed the mentality of not buying new electronics until the previous one no longer works. My laptop is from 2012, and my phone from 2014, and both still run brilliantly. When the time comes to replace them, I'll switch to the newest possible, so it lasts for the longest possible time, and I'll ensure the previous is properly recycled.

I feel the mentality of always wanting the newest technology is extremely aided by cell providers who want you to upgrade, as they gain more money. Devices have gone from pure function to having a huge social meaning.

Apple, for example, provides a free recycling service for any of their devices, and often gives out gift cards in return

Many people consider their phone and computer to be necessary. Those devices are super helpful and great to have, but we don't always need to have the newest technology. People could save a lot of money by keeping their old devices until they truly need a new one. We should at least try to recycle our electronics instead of throwing them away. According to https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics … -recycling "recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by more than 3,500 US homes in a year."

I agree that people buy the newest technology because they want the best for themselves. I think this need for new technology is started by electronic companies trying to sell their products. I think that many people have gotten into the habit of buying that it feels normal to buy new technology on the regular. I know that many telecommunication companies like Verizon and AT&T provide annual upgrade programs so customers keep buying new and improved products. I think that people often feel pressured or left out if they do not have the new product. I think that this also spawns a habit of buying new products that we do not need.

As mentioned, society plays a significant role in our “need” for the newest technology. When we see a friend or anybody for that matter with the newest technology, we feel a compulsion to update any of our technological products.  Companies also market their technology by making the consumer feel outdated if they do not have the newest form of a product.  Unfortunately, this marketing is one of the main causes for our “need” for the newest technology.  A company will convey the most current form of a product as vital to our lives.  Humans typically associate a new form of technology with a better form of technology.  Products that were working efficiently suddenly become outdated and inadequate when updates are released.  We feel a “need” for the newest technology due to the people around us as well as the marketing of the companies that manufacture these products.

To follow up on my comment, I would also like to state the impact of constantly upgrading technology on your carbon footprint.  When we buy a new technological product even though our previous form works efficiently, we are unnecessarily adding to our footprint.  As mentioned in the previous comments, we must recycle any of our old computers, cellular devices, tablets, etc.  This should be done so when we do upgrade, we do not waste any of our older products.

I agree with all of the points above. I believe that people think that they need the newest and best technology available to prove to others that they can have the best things. I also believe that people should not replace their technology unless they are not functioning properly. And when people get a new electronic, then they should recycle the old instead of filling the landfills with wasted electronics. However, if someone decides to upgrade to the newest phone etc. while they still have a perfectly functioning one, then they should at least donate the old to someone who cannot afford any type of electronic. For example, The Salvation Army would gladly accept any donations from anyone, including electronics, clothing, cars, etc. The point is that you can recycle more than just paper, glass, and plastic, and you can donate more than clothing.

I think the reason why a lot of people think that they need the newest technology is to be in the high class of the social hierarchy that is created without intention. They buy to show that they are better the others. Or they buy it since they feel the need to be 'approved' by the others and they think by buying something high-tech and expensive, they can achieve it. Sometimes, you do need to buy them, though. When the old device gets bad we need a new one. However, we should always remember to recycle or try and give it to people who still want to use it.

I think people feel the need to want the newest technology just for social standard. If someone doesn't have the newest iphone they are typically displayed as a lower standard. People buy the newest phones to show that they are better than others or that they have enough money to get it to show that they have something expensive. I do not think this is socially acceptable, i believe that people should not be based on weather they have something or not. Personally i do not judge people on what technology they have, but it is a big issue in this generation. I think someway this could be changed in the future, but new technology is being built every day that intreges everyone to want to buy it. In conclusion i think more people should be aware of how they judge people on what technology they have.

I think many people also feel that if they don't have the fastest computer using bleeding edge parts they feel as if they are lacking behind technologically and will throw out a perfectly good computer just to stay on top.

yeah. I agree, because I mean, the new iPhone X for example, (Ok Apple, I am not trying to advertise for you) people are pre-ordering it, but older generations are still good. I agree that it has an impact on the nation's carbon footprint.

having new expensive technology definitely creates a have and have nots environment, where you need to have the newest most expensive item to be cool.