I like listening to my friends go on about how great some new thing they just got is. I get to learn the easy way (well, a cheap and fun way) if this is something that might be of interest to me. Again, there is guilt because I am generally not finding exciting new things to share with them.

I so try to see movies when they first come out if they get good reviews and if I feel the film makers could really use the money (i.e., independent films are more likely to get my money than blockbusters). On the other hand, I also get talked into new movies if they are 3-D.

@Alan, by buying things used, you are creating a market for used things and thus helping other people talk themselves into buying things they aren’t sure about. So, you’re indirectly still helping the creators.

I like to think of my entertainment choices in movies- seen on cable or via library- as having been properly vetted by others. I can get a good feeling as to whether its really worth my time from those who are in the cult of the first. Most movies out there don’t make the cut. I tend to appreciate classics more than new- and I abhor remakes unless something unique can brought to the table (worst case scenario would be the recent remake of “The Women.”).

As for books, I have my regulars that I practically subscribe to- and as others have said above, I don’t mind giving my financial support to as a tribute to their work. For me, it would be Jean Auel, Margaret Atwood, Gregory Macquire, and Armistead Mauphin. Thankfully, none of these authors churn out dozens of books a year so its a pittance to keep in good literature. I test the water on other authors via library.

One thing I do notice is not participating in too many conversations that the cult of the new members have. (Unless its telepvision- I do keep up with some new shows there. ) However, it might not be a bad thing to not ascribe to their cult values.

I think another big part of why people want to buy things new, though, is simply instant gratification. For example, buying that new book in hardcover *not* to impress friends or feel like you have the latest thing, but because it’s a book you’re interested in reading and you don’t have the impulse control to wait.

I never have, nor will I ever, suffer from this addiction.

I think my only addiciton is waiting and waiting and waiting for the lowest price on something. Then when I pull the trigger, two weeks later I’m upset cuz I found it for less.

I rarely buy new anything but I also rarely visit the library. I find it very hard to avoid late fees at the library…plus they rarely have anything new in English and when they do it is rented.

So I started buying in bulk from bookcloseouts.com when they have 1.00 clearance sales. I give away the books that end up not being useful.

I still have yet to buy a flat screen TV and I buy a lot of household stuff used. I buy clothes at the end of the season when sales are doubled so I end up getting great stuff for a bargain.

I did buy an Wii, an ipod touch, and an irobot vacuum, which were all well researched and purchased on sale. They were well worth the investment.

I don’t understand the excitement of the NEW unless it promises some specific benefit to your life you can explain. There are a million good films and books I have yet to read or watch. There are great TVs that just are not flat screens. I think a lot of it is advertisements. We need less advertisements & less stuff and more social interaction. Atleast I think anyway.

But it is harder to connect and network and make small talk with coworkers and strangers, those more distant but still important nodes in my social network. I used to be able to chat about an interesting segment from a morning show, or laugh about a funny line from a commercial, share an opinion about the trailer for an upcoming flick, or show a passing familiarity with the current reality show contestants (even though I never actively followed those shows). My close friends all get their news online and read library books like I do, but not everyone does that. If you’re “current,” especially on TV and movies, it gives you small talk conversation topics (beyond the weather) whether you’re chatting with a new neighbor, a receptionist at the dentist’s office, a mechanic, a young entrepreneur at a business mixer, whoever.

When I see a promo for a new movie playing in the theater that looks interesting I just go to the Netflix Web site and save it into my queue. They seem to have all the movies that are currently in theaters. This helps me know I’ll see it, and curtails the need to see it “new” in the theater.