Why do we, as a society, love shiny things? From the dopamine rush of a new purchase to the social validation it brings, the driving forces behind our shopping habits are complex. This appetite for luxury comes at a cost: economic inequality, hollow satisfaction and a loss of individuality. In this thought-provoking talk, Ayla discusses the psychological and economic reasons behind our obsession with designer items, encouraging us to stray from the mainstream path and reconsider our buying decisions. She takes a deep dive into the paradox of consumerism, questioning whether these items genuinely benefit our lives. Ayla is a 16-year-old student, attending Inter-Community School Zurich, of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Her interests include volunteering and charity work, as well as sports and art. With a passion for Economics and Psychology, and a plan to pursue these fields in the future, she centers her TEDx talk on behavioural economics and why consumers are drawn to luxury goods. Through this talk, she hopes to foster a deeper understanding of consumer behaviour. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx