Tag: Consumerism

The Hipsterization of Marketing and What it Means for Consumer Culture

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 1 Comment

I would once again like to thank my Canadian colleagues for being an endless source of inspiration for my blog. And this time it has nothing to do with maple syrup! Indeed the article I have copied below from Marketing.ca is all about one of my favorite consumer anthropology topics: Hipsters! But it goes one … Continue reading The Hipsterization of Marketing and What it Means for Consumer Culture

Brands Taking Responsibilty For Inspiring Social Change: Dove’s “Real Beauty” Sketches as a Dialogue-Starter

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In today's consumer culture driven world - especially here in the United States, brands are starting to become a required participant, if not leader, of conversations about social change. It' s part of a macro trend related to empowered consumerism and the shifting balance of power between civil society, government and corporations. Specifically, government is … Continue reading Brands Taking Responsibilty For Inspiring Social Change: Dove’s “Real Beauty” Sketches as a Dialogue-Starter

A Little Bit of Color from Sociology of Style: Where Holidays Get Their Hues…

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 1 Comment

Another great cultural context blog from Sociology of style:  this time it's a semiotics commentary on why certain colors are associated with certain Holidays   Sociology of Style: Ask Anna "Why are specific colors associated with certain holidays?" Ask Anna: Why are specific colors associated with certain holidays? It happens every season: stores and public … Continue reading A Little Bit of Color from Sociology of Style: Where Holidays Get Their Hues…

The Self-Conscious Context Of Car Shopping: What It’s Like When You Know Too Much and Buy The Luxury SUV Anyway

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 11 Comments

This weekend I made the plunge into new vehicle ownership for the first time in 8 years. Some history: The first car I ever "owned" was a leased, bottom-of-the barrel Toyota (color: aqua!) that I got in grad school and that moved me up to the great Northeast for my first job. Then I spent … Continue reading The Self-Conscious Context Of Car Shopping: What It’s Like When You Know Too Much and Buy The Luxury SUV Anyway

Valentine’s Day from a UK Consumer Culture Perspective

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 2 Comments

LOVE this article posted on the Northstar website this week about tips for brands who want to leverage the (evolving) relevance of valentines day.  Has a cheeky UK touch I am sure the VDay haters will love.  🙂  You can link to this as well as more great content here: http://www.northstarhub.com/blog/perspectives/valentines-day-love-consumerism/ Valentine’s Day Love & … Continue reading Valentine’s Day from a UK Consumer Culture Perspective

Why You Should Be Offended By Bad Marketing

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 4 Comments

Have you ever seen a commercial or some other marketing stunt that was so bad you questioned what moron thought of that and thought it was okay?  Did you even, perhaps, get a little bit offended?  Well good - you should be offended by bad marketing. "Why should I be offended by bad marketing" you … Continue reading Why You Should Be Offended By Bad Marketing

Surrounding Ourselves With Sound and Other Modern Household Survival Requirements

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 4 Comments

Flash back to before we established a "civilized" industrial-to-knowledge-to-conceptual economy such as we have been used to in modern times.  Survival was a matter of basics and most humans resided firmly in the very bottom layers of Maslow's hierarchy of needs pyramid: In absence of safeguards, systems and conveniences like government-supervised municipal programs, a regulated … Continue reading Surrounding Ourselves With Sound and Other Modern Household Survival Requirements

Why Can’t We Stay Out Of Jodie Foster’s “Closet”? A Perspective On Celebrity As A Fetish

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 51 Comments

Let's start by defining the word fetish, lest everyone think we are discussing a different kind of topic. According to the Merriam Webster online dictionary, fetish is defined as: a : an object (as a small stone carving of an animal) believed to have magical power to protect or aid its owner; broadly : a … Continue reading Why Can’t We Stay Out Of Jodie Foster’s “Closet”? A Perspective On Celebrity As A Fetish

It’s the Ritual That Counts: Gift Giving In Context And Practice

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 2 Comments

Does holiday shopping stress you out?  Do you pine over what to give to the person who has everything or how to budget so you can give thoughtful gifts without breaking the bank?  Do you worry about saying too much or too little with your choice in gifts?  What about not giving a comparable gift … Continue reading It’s the Ritual That Counts: Gift Giving In Context And Practice

Starbucks To China: “You Will Drink Coffee And Like it!”

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Perusing the WSJ this morning (as I am occassionally wont to do on mornings when things come a little slower)  I got a quick jolt from the article below. The topic is about the critical importance of considering local cultural context when opening a retail oriented business in China  - China being the new "wild … Continue reading Starbucks To China: “You Will Drink Coffee And Like it!”