i fucking love this quote. ‘consumerism’ can sometimes be used as a somewhat inaccurate shorthand for mass pollution but more likely than not, even in that case, it’s just an attempt to paint everyone else as ‘unthinking NPCs’ who are doing the bad gluttony thing (not christian guilt though)
of course we are in fact encouraged and/or pressured to consume things, but it’s social pressure, not brainwashing
I also like the reference “to find outlets for her creative energies” because it charts a positive future that is compatible with a minimal consumption economy.
That said, I think in the half century since that was written, it’s become considerably less healthy. With the rise of social media, there’s also an increased blurring between social pressure and corporate funded “psychic manipulation”.
edit: if there’s one thing i am comfortable calling consumerist it would probably be supreme/gucci/brand based exclusivity schemes. which i think apple falls under actually.
i fucking love this quote. ‘consumerism’ can sometimes be used as a somewhat inaccurate shorthand for mass pollution but more likely than not, even in that case, it’s just an attempt to paint everyone else as ‘unthinking NPCs’ who are doing the bad gluttony thing (not christian guilt though)
of course we are in fact encouraged and/or pressured to consume things, but it’s social pressure, not brainwashing
I also like the reference “to find outlets for her creative energies” because it charts a positive future that is compatible with a minimal consumption economy.
That said, I think in the half century since that was written, it’s become considerably less healthy. With the rise of social media, there’s also an increased blurring between social pressure and corporate funded “psychic manipulation”.
that’s true
edit: if there’s one thing i am comfortable calling consumerist it would probably be supreme/gucci/brand based exclusivity schemes. which i think apple falls under actually.