Sociology 2172A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Friedrich Engels, Georg Simmel, Piece Work
8 Feb 2018
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Advertising, promotional materials, leisure activities and commodities of various brands and logos prevail and tempt us to consume. Social practices and relationships are woven into shopping and consumption. Many of our everyday practices are organized around consumption grocery shopping, participating in leisure actives, comparing prices and searching for the best deal, daydreaming about a commodity, and shopping for all sorts of special occasions, among others. National governments might also stimulate the economy through encouraging consumption. Consumption can be social, cultural, psychological, economic, political and historical depending on which aspect of consumption we address and how we interpret it. Contemporary society is increasingly caught up in commodification as the most personal of issues: self-esteem, emotions, values, and relationships can be commodified, advertised and sold. Consumption is also treated in moral terms, as something good for out self-expression, individual development or as a reward for hard work.
