- Possible paper topic: environmentalism and conspicuous consumption - the reality of a movement that wants people to consume less, but may only survive by relying on its own brand of consumption -- AmandaHungerford - 26 Mar 2008

Want to talk about paper ideas? Umm, we'll figure something out?

There's not enough here to inspire any particular kind of comments. But since you used the word "consume" a lot, it reminded me of a question from class today, which is, How do you identify "waste"? I think (unfortunately) that a big factor is when OTHER people think someone else doesn't have "enough" of that thing. But then, what's "enough," after all? I don't want to fall into the trap of using "wasteful" to describe others, when I really should be calling myself "jealous." [One man's conspicuous consumption is another man's private grudge.]

My assumption was that the function of conspicious Wastefulness, since it's a sign of power, sends a signal, "You should be my friend." But that feels mutually exclusive with its creating jealousy -- "I am your enemy; rob me." Uggh. Is it?

AndrewGradman - 27 Mar 2008