Yes, but only for those of a certain mindset, predisposed to such behaviour; some are more resistant to it. Not everyone is wired that way. I'm certainly not, and neither are many others I know.
If I were that way inclined, I'd own the latest smartphone, rather than an ancient mobile phone from the very early 2000s [what does that say about my "status"? And it's not like I can't afford one], drive a brand new battery-powered car, live in a modern house, fitted with all the latest smart features, organise my life around social media, etc, etc...
I *actively choose* to do precisely the OPPOSITE from what today is considered as the 'norm' or fashionable, and SHUN current technology unless I know it'll serve a useful purpose, first and foremost, for ME. I remember laughing when Piggurs tried to send a text message to my landline, because he thought it was a mobile number, as according to him, 'no-one uses landlines these days'!
The condition you refer to, as highlighted above, is not only inherent in humans, but can be further nurtured through subliminal/insidious forms of brainwashing, via the
viral marketing campaigns of huge global organisations, such as Apple, Google and Amazon, and for me there is ample evidence showing that technology such as smartphones help facilitate and accelerate that brainwashing process.
So yes, it's partly about growing the brand, but it's also about who's behind the brand and what they're seeking to achieve/their end goal. The key word above is "viral", like the spreading of a disease (facilitated through social networks). Think about it
As an aside, what do you reckon would be revealed by the debt figure comparison I mentioned in my last post?
Marco.