It's only conspicuous consumption if the main goal is to show off to others. If their main enjoyment is the use they get from it, I don't think it qualifies. I

It's only conspicuous consumption if the main goal is to show off to others. If their main enjoyment is the use they get from it, I don't think it qualifies. I don't think your analogy is a good one. It's probably more similar to buying and eating expensive food, not throwing food out. Many problems are distribution problems, not production or waste problems.