Thorstein Veblen – The theory of the leisure classes
“In order to gain and hold the esteem of men it is not
sufficient to possess wealth and power. The wealth and power must be put in
evidence for stem is only awarded on evidence.” – you’re judged on your
possessions and not how you are as a person. You’re not saying anything but
you’re showing your wealth.
“Waste is a conspicuous example of wealth”
Waste “for the purposes of reputability lies in the
element of waste that is common to both. In case it is a waste of time and
effort in the other it is a waste of goods”
We are ever consuming. Its all about a brand of ethic
that we follow.
The fashion industry is dominated by consumer needs.
Obsolescence (unique) fashion is constantly changing.
Vivienne Westwood quote – ‘buy less choose well’.
Our generation is the generation to consider whether
things need to be changed.
We need clothes to protect ourselves however we need
identity otherwise everyone would become aforesaid. It is about the ability to
be able to choose.
Social media (facebook, Instagram etc.) – makes people
want what they have. Celebrities like to show their power and wealth, but also
their waste. They often wear things once then throw away once it is no longer
in trend or even if it has become in trend.
We’re looking at a world of consumption and cultural
consumption.
Jessi Arrington – Wearing nothing new
Now buys her clothes
second hand because of the impact on the environment and her wallet. Makes
shopping fun, refers to it as a ‘treasure hunt’.
“Be who you are” but how
difficult is it exactly to be who you are?
The clothes that you wear is important to who you are.
Fashion and consumerism sometimes make us wear things to make us want to fit in
with rather than what we would like.
You don’t need to have new clothes constantly, its
what you do in them and how they make you feel i.e. comfortable or good
memories wearing them.
Would you think about affordability? How do you feel
about the poverty? Fashion designers being wealthier and make lots of money out
of people who cant afford it? China?
China is over populated, polluted, industrial, illness
from pollution, wealthy divide, (ethics of the wealthy society), over crowding
(in factories and in the country itself), traditionally set in the ways, ‘made
in china’ production.
What is China predominantly as a country? How does it
rule? – Technology, Capitalist or communist? What did it use to be? Used to be
communist then it turned capitalist. China adds to our consumerist needs. Most
products, clothes etc. is made in China.
Would wear a item of clothing was made or how it was
produced effect your decision to buy it?
The Global Goals: #12 Responsible Consumption and
Production
Everyone picks one
and helps to that cause over the next 15 years.
To be obsessed with the consumer culture is ethically
or morally wrong, but can you come back from it?
The gullibility of people who have nothing and have
the temptation for bigger, better and more expensive things add to the consumerism.
I.e. Credit cards, Littlewoods, Argos. (APR%)
Boxing day sales, New years day sales.
Christmas is not as much as a religious holiday
anymore. It is a consumerist holiday, it is more about who got what and how
much people bought or spent on others. Is that ethical?
You could easily shop online for most things in this
day and age, maybe in 20 years there will be no shops or high streets. Now
that’s a scary thought.
(We are allowed to
use social media in our essays but use some balance to it)
Your money is your
vote.
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