Review
“…a compelling read, proposing ways for us serfs to combat the brandlords…” (Focus, August 2005)
"…a lively read, with enough humour to keep the more theoretical stretches of its argument interesting." (Economist.com, September 2006)
"best surprise of the year" (The Irish Times, December 2006)
“…a brave book…presented with great briskness and confidence…” (The Guardian, June 4th 2005)
“…a compelling read, proposing ways for us serfs to combat the brandlords…” (Focus, August 2005)
"…a lively read, with enough humour to keep the more theoretical stretches of its argument interesting." (Economist.com, September 2006)
"best surprise of the year" (The Irish Times, December 2006)
Product Description
In this wide–ranging and perceptive work of cultural criticism, Joseph Heath and Andrew Potter shatter the central myth of radical political, economic and cultural thinking. The idea of a counterculture – that is, a world outside of the consumer dominated one that encompasses us – pervades everything from the anti–globalisation movement to feminism and environmentalism. And the idea that mocking the system, or trying to ‘jam’ it so it will collapse, they argue, is not only counterproductive but has helped to create the very consumer society that rad icals oppose.
In a lively blend of pop culture, history and philosophical analysis, Heath and Potter offer a startlingly clear picture of what a concern for social justice might look like without the confusion of the counterculture obsession with being different.
From the Inside Flap
With the incredible popularity of Michael Moore’s books and movies, and the continuing success of anti-consumer critiques like ADBUSTERS magazine and Naomi Klein’s NO LOGO, it is hard to ignore the growing tide of resistance to the corporate-dominated world. But do these vocal opponents of the status quo offer us a real political alternative?
In this wide-ranging and perceptive work of cultural criticism, Joseph Heath and Andrew Potter shatter the central myth of radical political, economic and cultural thinking. The idea of a counterculture – that is, a world outside of the consumer dominated one that encompasses us – pervades everything from the anti-globalisation movement to feminism and environmentalism. And the idea that mocking the system, or trying to ‘jam’ it so it will collapse, they argue, is not only counterproductive but has helped to create the very consumer society that radicals oppose.
In a lively blend of pop culture, history and philosophical analysis, Heath and Potter offer a startlingly clear picture of what a concern for social justice might look like without the confusion of the counterculture obsession with being different.
ON REBELLION: ‘rebellion is one of the most powerful sources of distinction in the modern world. As a result, people are willing to pay good money for a piece of it, just as they are willing to pay for access to any other form of social status.’
ON THE WORKPLACE: ‘What people yearn for these days is no longer an old-fashioned ‘status’ job, like being a Doctor. The ‘cool job’ has become the holy grail of the modern economy. Corporate America has been tuned in to this for a long time. A visitor from the ‘50s would not recognise the modern no-collar workplace, with its casual dress codes and flexible working hours, designed to reflect the ebb and flow of creative ideas. The whole thing is like a hippie commune under professional management.’
ON THE NATURE OF COOL: ‘It is best to think of cool as the central status hierarchy in contemporary urban society. And like traditional forms of status such as class, cool is an intrinsically positional good. Just as not everyone can be upper class and not everyone can have good taste, not everyone can be cool.’
From the Back Cover
ON THE WORKPLACE: ‘What people yearn for these days is no longer an old–fashioned ‘status’ job, like being a Doctor. The ‘cool job’ has become the holy grail of the modern economy. Corporate America has been tuned in to this for a long time. A visitor from the ‘50s would not recognise the modern no–collar workplace, with its casual dress codes and flexible working hours, designed to reflect the ebb and flow of creative ideas. The whole thing is like a hippie commune under professional management.’
ON THE NATURE OF COOL: ‘It is best to think of cool as the central status hierarchy in contemporary urban society. And like traditional forms of status such as class, cool is an intrinsically positional good. Just as not everyone can be upper class and not everyone can have good taste, not everyone can be cool.’
About the Author
With the incredible popularity of Michael Moore’s books and movies, and the continuing success of anti–consumer critiques like ADBUSTERS magazine and Naomi Klein’s NO LOGO, it is hard to ignore the growing tide of resistance to the corporate–dominated world. But do these vocal opponents of the status quo offer us a real political alternative?
In this wide–ranging and perceptive work of cultural criticism, Joseph Heath and Andrew Potter shatter the central myth of radical political, economic and cultural thinking. The idea of a counterculture – that is, a world outside of the consumer dominated one that encompasses us – pervades everything from the anti–globalisation movement to feminism and environmentalism. And the idea that mocking the system, or trying to ‘jam’ it so it will collapse, they argue, is not only counterproductive but has helped to create the very consumer society that radicals oppose.
In a lively blend of pop culture, history and philosophical analysis, Heath and Potter offer a startlingly clear picture of what a concern for social justice might look like without the confusion of the counterculture obsession with being different.
