Ep 25: Consumerism as an Ethos; Why Can't Money Buy Us Happiness?

 

Welcome one and All to Professor Metal's Irate Debate and Calamitous Commentary with the Philosophical Chain Gang

 

Today's Episode is Consumerism as an Ethos: Why Can't Money Buy Happiness?

 

Sean explains how consumerism could be considered an ethos

 

Ryver talks about the idea of the Loss Leader ideology

 

The Philosophers talk about the replacement of certain societal values with consumerist values

 

Bruce and Sean discuss the difference between improving quality of life and just gathering more possessions to have more possessions

 

Ryver explains Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

 

Sean brings up the basis of Maslow's Hierarchy and how it does and does not apply to our society

 

Bruce discusses these from a utilitarian perspective

 

Sean and Bruce debate where the line between our needs as humans and our needs as participants in modern society lies

 

Bruce talks about the effects of economic decline on consumerism and the inverse

 

Ryver counters with an explanation of our recent economic decline

 

Sean talks about the effects of increased production without increased consumption, specifically in the wake of economic decline

 

Bruce and Sean discuss economic bubbles and how it effects the economy as a whole

 

The Philosophers talk about the housing bubble and who made it out ahead as a result of this

 

Bruce brings it around to intangible values

 

Sean discusses opportunity costs as they apply to these values

 

Ryver and Bruce talk about status symbols and the role of rational actors in the economy

 

Sean and Ryver explain the effects of badge value in status symbols and ways in which that can be controlled

 

The Philosophers discuss the impacts of badge value on modern marketing

 

Sean talks about the history of marketing, as well as Edward Bernays and his role in the evolution of marketing

 

 

The Philosophers discuss the importance of both education and introspection to understanding how marketing effects both consumerism and psychology

 

Sean and Ryver talk about the way marketing shows objects that are not significantly better than what we already have as being things we cannot live without

 

Bruce takes the last word to talk about what it means to be an “informed consumer” and the role of introspection into what actually makes you happy, as well as where you can acquire happiness

 

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