Media, Information and Technoculture 3216F/G Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Consumerism, Dominate, Formal System
30 Oct 2016
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Consumption is an institution a shared way of thinking and acting. Consumerism = shared set of ideas that tells us that stuff will make us happy. Other examples of institutions include families, education, religion, etc. Consumption instills both anxiety and happiness in consumers. If one is dependent on things to make them happy, then they are vulnerable. Our culture is preoccupied with selling off our goods that are in plenty. Pre-1900: consumption was associated with destruction and waste, overconsumption = sin, economic injustice (williams reading) Post-1900: consumption = status marker, desirable, overconsumption = success, economic survival. We expect that consumption will bring us happiness even though this quest for happiness through consumption is characterized by a perpetual state of discontent (or melancholy as described by bauman) This pursuit of happiness through an institution characterized by discontent is conditioned by our.
