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The point is that the desire to climb the status ladder by purchasing conspicuously expensive, useless commodities is generated by a pretty deformed set of soci

The point is that the desire to climb the status ladder by purchasing conspicuously expensive, useless commodities is generated by a pretty deformed set of social relations. It is a product of a very shallow capitalist culture, and has the effect of wasting productive capacity that could in the counter-factual be used to help people who need it. It's also philosophy 101: self-realisation is who you are and not what you own. Go read Marcus Auerelius, Erich Fromm, etc.

coldtea 9y ago
>The point is that the desire to climb the status ladder by purchasing conspicuously expensive, useless commodities is generated by a pretty deformed set of social relations. It is a product of a very shallow capitalist culture I disagree. People liked rare and expensive things in all cultures since forever -- from ancient Egypt and Greece, to African tribes to Polynesian island nations. What's unique in modern capitalist culture is the commercialization of everything and anything and the constant consumption -- not the appreciation of finely crafted / expensive stuff. In some ways a Lamborghini is a great achievement of engineering and art, for example. I also don't think people buying those pens are doing so because of a "desire to climb the status ladder". That might be true for those buying a $1000 suit or $300 shoes, but those paying $3000 for a fountain pen have already climbed it.
- mcguire 9y ago
  Attempting to climb the status ladder with a Nakaya or Namiki Maki-e (http://www.pilot-namiki.com/en/ http://www.pilot-namiki.com/en/) would probably be counter productive. It generally helps if the people you are trying to impress recognize what you're carrying.
nl 9y ago
Not all non-required consumption is about status. Some people just like things. I cycle, and I like Rapha Brevette jerseys. Yes they are expensive, but I like the way they fit and some specific features. I know I could get 99% of the functionality for 40% of the price.
- usrusr 9y ago
  Appreciation and status are not mutually exclusive, in fact they rarely are. I certainly do appreciate all my expensive cycling stuff, but I have long identified it as the outlet where I seem tochannel all my status purchase needs. When everybody around me is riding Shimano, I want Campag and the powermeter to go with that should better be Italian as well. I consider this to be deep in status-land, in fact it is the only part of my buying habits where the status component is so strong that I am aware of it (which I guess is universally rare, everybody has their rationalizations). The Castelli I wear on the bike has certainly been more expensive than the H&M (from the aughts, some of that stiff actually lasts!) I wear to the office.
  - nl 9y ago
    Indeed, the only reason anyone would get Campag is status ;) (Di2 all the way here...) Regarding Castelli though.. The Perfecto and Gabba are so much (technically) better for cold/wet weather than anything else I'm not sure that status matters.

coldtea 9y ago

>The point is that the desire to climb the status ladder by purchasing conspicuously expensive, useless commodities is generated by a pretty deformed set of social relations. It is a product of a very shallow capitalist culture I disagree. People liked rare and expensive things in all cultures since forever -- from ancient Egypt and Greece, to African tribes to Polynesian island nations. What's unique in modern capitalist culture is the commercialization of everything and anything and the constant consumption -- not the appreciation of finely crafted / expensive stuff. In some ways a Lamborghini is a great achievement of engineering and art, for example. I also don't think people buying those pens are doing so because of a "desire to climb the status ladder". That might be true for those buying a $1000 suit or $300 shoes, but those paying $3000 for a fountain pen have already climbed it.

mcguire 9y ago
Attempting to climb the status ladder with a Nakaya or Namiki Maki-e (http://www.pilot-namiki.com/en/ http://www.pilot-namiki.com/en/) would probably be counter productive. It generally helps if the people you are trying to impress recognize what you're carrying.

nl 9y ago

Not all non-required consumption is about status. Some people just like things. I cycle, and I like Rapha Brevette jerseys. Yes they are expensive, but I like the way they fit and some specific features. I know I could get 99% of the functionality for 40% of the price.

usrusr 9y ago
Appreciation and status are not mutually exclusive, in fact they rarely are. I certainly do appreciate all my expensive cycling stuff, but I have long identified it as the outlet where I seem tochannel all my status purchase needs. When everybody around me is riding Shimano, I want Campag and the powermeter to go with that should better be Italian as well. I consider this to be deep in status-land, in fact it is the only part of my buying habits where the status component is so strong that I am aware of it (which I guess is universally rare, everybody has their rationalizations). The Castelli I wear on the bike has certainly been more expensive than the H&M (from the aughts, some of that stiff actually lasts!) I wear to the office.
- nl 9y ago
  Indeed, the only reason anyone would get Campag is status ;) (Di2 all the way here...) Regarding Castelli though.. The Perfecto and Gabba are so much (technically) better for cold/wet weather than anything else I'm not sure that status matters.