Need a NOOK? Explore Now
"Powerful and disturbing. No one who cares about the future of our public life can afford to ignore this book."—Jackson Lears
A powerful sequel to Benjamin R. Barber's best-selling Jihad vs. McWorld, Consumed offers a vivid portrait of an overproducing global economy that targets children as consumers in a market where there are never enough shoppers and where the primary goal is no longer to manufacture goods but needs. To explain how and why this has come about, Barber brings together extensive empirical research with an original theoretical framework for understanding our contemporary predicament. He asserts that in place of the Protestant ethic once associated with capitalism—encouraging self-restraint, preparing for the future, protecting and self-sacrificing for children and community, and other characteristics of adulthood—we are constantly being seduced into an "infantilist" ethic of consumption.
Anonymous
Posted May 1, 2007
It doesn't surprise me that so many reviews I see of this book rate low. Most Americans, and I'm no different are reluctant to consider alternative philosophies on capitalism or marketing. Benjamin Barber is not unlike all his predecessors. Since the beginning of recorded time every generation has had its outspoken critics who try to claim that the next generation is ¿going to hell in a hand basket.¿ I personally don¿t believe we¿ve done all that bad. Barber relies on the ideas of Foucault, Roseau and de Tocqueville and more modern philosopher, citing them readily. I¿ll admit, I struggled with the first half of the book and I would say that up to that point the arguments are poorly supported. This being said, the last chapters of the book reveal a deep insight and yes, some philosophical name dropping. But if this book stimulates a some deep thinking on the subject, I would consider it successful.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 18, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted February 13, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted November 7, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted April 24, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted December 26, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted December 13, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
"Powerful and disturbing. No one who cares about the future of our public life can afford to ignore this book."—Jackson Lears
A powerful sequel to Benjamin R. Barber's best-selling Jihad vs. McWorld, Consumed offers a vivid portrait of an overproducing global economy that targets children as consumers in a market where there are never enough shoppers and where the primary goal is no longer to manufacture goods but needs. To explain how and why this has come about, Barber brings together extensive empirical research with an original theoretical framework for understanding our contemporary predicament. He asserts that in place of the Protestant ethic once associated with ...