Diderot Effect

Have you noticed that when you have a new purchase, it becomes an excuse to buy more?

This is what we call Diderot Effect. Have you heard of that? I came to know it from James Clear, an author whom my husband introduced to me. He had read a few of his books while I, not much of a book reader just listens to his reviews and the things that he learns from his book. Atomic Habit was one of the books which my husband had been looking for and only found it when we were in Davao City back in 2018.

But we are not going to talk about that book, we are going to deal with the Diderot Effect.

"The Diderot Effect states that obtaining a new possession often creates a spiral of consumption which leads you to acquire more new things. As a result, we end up buying things that our previous selves never needed to feel happy or fulfilled." - James Clear

I would like to my own experiences with this and I believe that every one of us reading this right now can totally relate because I know it applies to many different aspects of our lives.

My example would be the iPad which my husband bought for me a few years ago. Note that this device had been sold already to my niece because I am not anymore using it that much and soon, when I have more time making digital calligraphy and artworks, we will buy another iPad, perhaps the latest one. For now, I already gave up this item but I will still share with you how this became a great example of the Diderot Effect.

As a disclaimer as well, the items that are listed here were well thought of, although they were not necessary because I can use the iPad as is, there were good reasons why we have to buy them. My husband and I weighed them out prior to hitting the add to cart button!

Apple Pencil

The first-ever requested accessory, my excuse? I have to make digital calligraphy with the iPad. In fact, that was its main purpose. I won't ask for an iPad if I can't draw or make typography in it. The iPad we bought was the 9.7 which supports Apple Pencil.

I am thankful for my husband who has been supportive of my artistic hobbies. He agrees with all my purchases so long as they are for my digital artworks. So when I asked for this, he immediately requested one from their office. Part of their company perks was they can order electronic devices at 20% off. 

The first-generation Apple pencil is not a cheap item. It is in fact expensive, a pen for Php 8,000+ back three years ago. Today, it is around Php 6000, still expensive though.

Bluetooth Keyboard

I reckoned that this was not a necessity but because when I was typing on my iPad, it takes ages for me to finish a blog, I complained to my husband and he thought the best solution is to get me a wireless keyboard.

Lo and behold, he searched for the best option, whilst I only wanted a simple and cheap one, he thought I deserved better, I felt extra special about that and I must add some "pogi" points to my husband for telling me that.

So, he got me a Logitech K380, priced at that time at more or less Php 2000. This portable keyboard has been my blogging buddy, I was blogging on a different platform back then and I am thankful for the keyboard as I can write blogs even if I am away from home. I bring it anywhere I go!

Note that we tried considering the Apple keyboard too but that was too expensive!

OTG Flash Drive

OTG means on the go. The dilemma here was that we don't have a Mac and moving files here and there was too much of a hassle when using Windows. We first did was to send files on cloud storage but we got tired of it so then my husband got me an iXpand Flash Drive 3.0. This has a lightning connector which allows me to move files from the computer to the iPad and vice versa.

I can also use it as a regular USB. Aside from that, this accessory was also rugged that even until now, it looks new! It has this sturdy feel to it.

The item is not also cheap, it costs more than a thousand pesos when we bought it.

iPad Case

Of course, this was necessary because if I type on my keyboard, I must place the iPad in a way that I can see the screen, and laying it on the table is not a good idea.

We decided to get the Urban Armor Gear Case. I had no plans of buying different covers or cases for this iPad, my goal was to buy a sturdy one and that will stay as long as it is still useful.

Indeed, this case is still alive today. The case is heavy, as it has been tested shockproof, it cost more or less Php 2000. Today, my niece still uses the same case and because the kid doesn't give too much importance to it, the case looks untidy, some of its outer covering has already been scratched out but still, the case is keeping the iPad safe so she isn't taking that off.

Summing up...

Looking at the items above, it is evident that the Diderot Effect on the iPad purchase was strong. Imagine the total costs of these accessories, the prices are rounded off:

• Apple Pencil - Php 8000

• Logitech Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard K380 - Php 2000

• SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive 3.0 32 GB - Php 1000

• Urban Armor Gear Case - Php 2000

Around Php 13000 has been spent on these items. 

This is just an example, we have many other purchases that had caused us to be a victim of the Diderot Effect. We realized that while this can be avoided, there's still a great tendency that we will fall into the same trap but then, it is part of being a consumer.

Do you have your own experiences of falling into the Diderot Effect? Did you regret buying those items? 

xoxo,

mommy jean of momentswithmatti

Love harder than any pain you've ever felt.