“Obsolescence: The state of being which occurs when an object, service, or practice is no longer wanted even though it may still be in good working order” (“Wikipedia par 1). Consumerism is the economic foundation for America, which hipster abhor. Hipster, according to Dictionary.com, “is a person who is trendy, stylish, or progressive, in a unconventional way” (“Dictionary”). They avoid mainstream culture, proud of their individualistic culture. In contrary to what they believe in, hipsters, the so-called “counter-culture” of today’s society, are the ones who are driving the new trends and fashions of mainstream culture; enforcing consumerism and driving up the market. UrbanDictionary.com provides ongoing definitions on hipsters. Furthermore, …show more content…
UrbanDictionary brings the most up to date definition on hipster. This support is especially unique due to its multiple definitions voted by popularity, which is always updated continuously. However, this cannot be grounded due to the constant change. So the use of a blog called Savage Minds allows a more grounded stance in defining the hipster. Savage Minds, a well respected blog mostly written by anthropologist, introduces a scientific point of view on the hipster culture. Savage Minds is a group blog that was placed “17th out of 50 top science blog across all scientific disciplines” (“Savage” par 2) by Nature, a prominent interdisciplinary scientific journal, read mainly by research scientists (“Wikipedia” par 1). Therefore, the articles are credible. The combination of both Savage Minds and UrbanDictionary presents a solid background of the modern day hipster. Finally, the Berkshire Encyclopedia of World History is used to define and provide background info on consumerism. This source sets the groundwork of the consumerism. Therefore, variety of sources used will create a broader viewpoint of the …show more content…
The Berkshire Encyclopedia of World History has a unbiased stance that is well written, overflowing with information on consumerism. UrbanDictionary majority vote definitions reflects today’s society viewpoint on hipsters. Furthermore, UrbanDictionary indirectly shows where society is heading. This implication can be used to predict future course of culture, drastically strengthening the essay and introduces a unique perspective. Savage Minds strength lies in it’s scholarly background, written by grad students, professors, and anthropologists. Acquiring support from experts undoubtedly increases the respectability of the essay. Moreover, scholarly blogs addresses both sides of the issue, providing a more unbiased viewpoint. However, with strengths, there are
“Within the so-called yuppie culture of the 1980s, we find the ultimate expression of such a middle class ideal, as well as its inherent anxieties. Amid a declining standard of living for many, these professionals scramble to surround themselves with the ever-changing latest in designer clothing, electronics, and other symbols of the good life” (Ewen 196). The historical facts support his argument that people aim for the materials in life to display to the world that they are not poor. All the middle class cares about is the images and
Joshua Shavel Consumer Nation 10/5/17 How Consumerism Changed America America is often described as a nation of consumers. This description usually has a negative tone, implying that Americans are materialistic, and in comparison to the majority of other countries, this is true. Many people accuse Americans of having a level of consumption that is actually wasteful in a lot of ways. Finding the difference between “needs” and “wants” is difficult in a consumer nation, where options are almost limitless. Consumerism can also bring about positive change, though, and this is especially true in the United States.
Mark Spitz states that “he was crestfallen when he ate at another location for the first time” and he recognized the “same stuff on the wall” (189). This moment is crucial because it emphasizes how even the most precious and sentimental aspects of our life are a result of consumer culture. Many aspects cleverly crafted to appear as a one-of-a-kind product or experience actually result in a slightly customizable template. Similarly, Sorensen explains consumerism as “the capacity to realize and replicate itself by borrowing against the guaranteed promise of the future as the site of more of the same and of endlessness of reproduction without difference” (562-3). Whitehead further supports this idea by illuminating the reproduction of a one-of-a-kind
Their unwillingness to participate in society usually lead them to communities in neighborhoods across the United states. The most familiar of these communities was Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco (Bove). Although each hippy commune was different, most of the structure and daily routines revolved around “free love” and drug use.
Consumer Culture Theory is a theoretical approach which emerged in the 1980s, however, it was Arnould and Thomson (2005) who published a journal article summarising the past 20 years of consumer research. Consumer culture theory addresses the “complex relationships between consumer actions, the marketplace and cultural meaning” (Wang, 2014, p.252). In other words, consumer cultural theorists are interested in consumption patterns, the reasons behind consumer actions and why everyday values/beliefs can be linked to consumption (Askegaard, 2015). Aspects of this theory are shown in Hamilton 's article, as people will try different coping strategies like consumption to make themselves look better and to move away from any negative stereotypes. This leads on to labelling theory because single mothers are often labelled as ‘chavs’ according to Hamilton, therefore, they can be more likely to live up to this label, which makes it harder for them to continue the normal routines of everyday life which can lead to abnormal actions (Becker, 2008).
As in the 1950’s, new products such as dishwashers and washer and dryers were mass produced and this caused wives to pressure husbands to buy the fancy new items. And this push was not limited to just buying items, as it extended into the push for new innovation and technologies. The hunger for new items and the need for new ones propelled 50’s consumerism even further. However the 20’s consumerism was different. Rather than developments in individual items propelled consumerism, 50’s consumerism was driven by mass changes in industry.
Based on the film, the Merchants of Cool, it can be seen that the millennial cultural practices are different from how cultural practices were practiced in the past. This can be understood from examining
Throughout history, consumerism has been defined and changed by aspects such as war, changes in work and production, and government policies. Americans have been able to consume more luxuries over time and have had more control over the way the economy progress and even when to call it to a halt. Consumerism has benefitted American citizens by putting money back into their pockets through policies and procedures such as the New Deal and the increase in union power. Workers’ wages have increased due to consumer and their unions have become more powerful over time. Consumerism is not a thing of the past, but rather a favorable advantage of the future that has allowed America to progress and benefitted American
The concept of consumerism was first brought to my awareness in First Year Writing. I admit, before this intro course, I was indeed ignorant of the negative impacts that consumption had on society. FYS opened my mind to the dangers of over-consumption, and more importantly, helped me see beyond what meets the eye. Take for example, Disney, a seemingly innocent corporation, a company’s whose name is practically synonymous with the notion of childhood innocence. Upon initial judgement, one would assume that Disney is merely harmless family entertainment.
Leland rebells against the norm that average americans are used to and establishes his own type of hip. To be hip is not to sit in a coffee shop, wearing flannel with every intention of going out hiking later. In the same sense, being hip is about sitting in a coffee shop, wearing a flannel, with every intention of going out hiking later if it counteracts a previous notion of not doing those exact events. Hip, in american society, is in a contstant state of flux. In Leland’s words, “Through its changes, hip maintains some constraints: a dance between black and white; a love of the outsider; a straddle of high and low culture; a grimy sense of nobility; language that means more than it says” (Leland, p. 10).
When people look at the 1980’s, the question often times asked is, “what was even going on”. Known for its characteristically bright neons, crazy hair dos, and high school coming of age films, this decade definitely made a mark on history. Oftentimes stereotyped with these aspects, the reality of the decade was revolt against the social, financial, and political turmoil of the 1960’s and 70’s. Predating this decade, the United States of America had seen many conflicts in all aspects of life and culture. Beginning in the 1960’s, a new age of counterculture was on the rise.
The documentary, Merchants of cool, describes an evolving relationship between the vast teenage population and corporate America. The film provides an in-depth look at the marketing strategies and communication between these groups. Adolescents are shown as learners and adapters of the fast-paced world; they’re constantly exposed to fashions and trends. These young adults have a lot of disposable income and are willing to spend it, in order to gain social popularity. In other words, they are chasing ‘cool’.
in Scientific Research. Ed. Sylvia Engdahl. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2015. Opposing Viewpoints.
This process of recuperation happens in two ways: by converting subcultural signs into mass-produced objects (the commodity form) and by labelling and re-defining deviant behavior by dominant groups (the ideological form). The commodity form benefits from the relationship between the spectacular subcultures and the industries, which is based on ambiguity and the difficulty to distinguish between commercial exploitation and originality, since consumption is an indispensable part of spectacular subcultures and they feed on production and publicity. However, this commercialization and mass production of cultural symbols takes their meaning away from the subculture and makes it available for everyone.
Marx’s theory of commodity fetishism defines the dangers of a capitalist society that is controlled a by a small group of bourgeoisie owners that seek profit through a narrow selection of products. More so, consumers are often unaware of the dangers of these products and the addictive properties of a commodity that dominate their lives. In this manner, a sociological analysis of Karl Marx’s commodity fetishism has been analyzed within the problematic issues of an American consumer