Dark Side of Consumption

Compulsive Buying

the repeated act of unplanned buying driven by the pleasure in acquiring

Hyper-choice

too many choices creates anxiety and unhappiness

materialism

the belief that materials are a sure path to happiness

Work conditions 

the transfer of jobs to other countries, sometimes under exploitative conditions

• pollution

• child labor

Techlash 

a strong reaction against the major tech companies as a result of concerns about their power, user’s privacy, and political manipulation 

Corporate Social Responisbility (CSR)

business practices based on the mentality of stewardship over social, natural, and Human Resources

• minimizing harm and giving back

• ex. paying fair wages to all supply chain members

corporate activism

a firms public demonstration of support for or opposition to one side of a controversial sociopolitical issue

• nike poster supporting man

social entrepreneurship 

the process of creating novel business ventures to address social, cultural, environmental issues

• B Corporations: benefit for all

consumer activism 

organized, sustained challenge to business practices 

• protests

• boycotts 

consumer resistance

the tactical challenge to business practices that are seen as detrimental to well-being

• buying from companies engaged in social issues: Patagonia

• patronize companies with good work conditions

• choosing sustainable practices: farmers market/organic

Values

enduring beliefs that shape peoples behavior across multiple contexts

• sense of right and wrong

types of values 

terminal and instrumental 

terminal

goals worth pursuing

• exciting life

• happy family

• world peace

instrumental

HOW to pursue goals

• ambition

• honesty

values that are not universal 

upper middle class in U.S vs. France 

• materialism vs. erudition 

Values that are not eternal (but enduring)

• happy family

• sustainability only became a concern in the 1960/70’s

Values guide what consumers…

seek out or avoid

• corporate/consumer activism

• connects firms and consumers

Myths

Symbolic stories that reinforce cultural values

• folk and fairy tales 

• religious parables 

• embellished historical facts 

what is the structure of myths

1. antagonism: hero and villain

2. symbols: right and wrong

3. clear outcome: success or failure

4. moral: embedded lessons

Examples of myths

• Cinderella

• Wild West

• Twilight

Ideals 

standards that people use to evaluate their own and other peoples conduct 

• family: self-reliance 

• gender: breadwinner 

• beauty