Conspicuous Consumption (Penguin Great Ideas)
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Product Description
Product Description
Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.
With its wry portrayal of a shallow, materialistic 'leisure class' obsessed by clothes, cars, consumer goods and climbing the social ladder, this withering satire on modern capitalism is as pertinent today as when it was written over a century ago.
About the Author
Thorstein Bunde Veblen (1857-1929) was an American economist and sociologist. Educated at Carleton College, Johns Hopkins University and Yale University, his most famous work, The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899), from which this selection is taken, is a satiric look at American society. He coined the widely used phrases "conspicuous consumption" and "pecuniary emulation".
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
i bought my copy of "Conspicuous Consumption" the Penguin mini-book derived from Veblen's original :
"The Theory of the Leisure Class" last year + have just re read it with the xmas period amongst us + the spending spree madness that this time of year entails.(yes even in the recession) Veblen wrote his original treatise on all things conspicuosly consumed in 1899 , and although the language he employs in the book is yes a little dated ,repetitive+ wooden (his use of the word pecuniary is used almost limitless times alas). BUT the central message of the book , with many acute, perceptive + often very funny ,wry asides,is STILL valid today with great swathes of western (or western influenced) society still in thrall the conspicous consumption, waste + outward appearance of the Leisure classes as they were then. this malaise in societal thinking nows affects all of the classes it seems now. where more equals er more it seems. earlier victorian values of thrift, frugality + making do have nowadays evaporated + largely observed + commented here by Veblen to such good effect.
a cryptic aside - Veblen's witty suggestion on the use of cows for dometic lawns (amongst others) still raises a chuckle to the madness that is keeping up appearances, domesticity, controlled nature and beyond.. a contemporary example of Veblen might be :in order to out do + really impress others post 4 x 4 vehicles, why don't people just drive around in a bus , stick a bmw badge on the front + be done with it ?
funny, wise + still relevant. "Conspicous Consumption" is a cheap + fine little antidote to the consumer madness that is christmas and of consumer society in general. strongly recommended.
"The Theory of the Leisure Class" last year + have just re read it with the xmas period amongst us + the spending spree madness that this time of year entails.(yes even in the recession) Veblen wrote his original treatise on all things conspicuosly consumed in 1899 , and although the language he employs in the book is yes a little dated ,repetitive+ wooden (his use of the word pecuniary is used almost limitless times alas). BUT the central message of the book , with many acute, perceptive + often very funny ,wry asides,is STILL valid today with great swathes of western (or western influenced) society still in thrall the conspicous consumption, waste + outward appearance of the Leisure classes as they were then. this malaise in societal thinking nows affects all of the classes it seems now. where more equals er more it seems. earlier victorian values of thrift, frugality + making do have nowadays evaporated + largely observed + commented here by Veblen to such good effect.
a cryptic aside - Veblen's witty suggestion on the use of cows for dometic lawns (amongst others) still raises a chuckle to the madness that is keeping up appearances, domesticity, controlled nature and beyond.. a contemporary example of Veblen might be :in order to out do + really impress others post 4 x 4 vehicles, why don't people just drive around in a bus , stick a bmw badge on the front + be done with it ?
funny, wise + still relevant. "Conspicous Consumption" is a cheap + fine little antidote to the consumer madness that is christmas and of consumer society in general. strongly recommended.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Well, I'm getting caught up with his style. But this was a thoroughly enjoyable read, despite the occasional tricky language. It provoked lots of interesting thoughts, including why professional services companies like my own seem to value sales people so much, even though their job appears to require no particular intellectual or personal qualities -- because, like hunters, warriors and priests they interact with the world of unpredictability and hazard, rather just making boring stuff happen like producers.
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Beautiful cover, and a classic, but a little heavy going for me just now. The ideas are crystal clear, but the very old, formal language, though excellent, does make it a slightly tougher read than more modern texts.
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