Secular immortality and the American ideology of affluence

Article Abstract:

Extending the Warnerian tradition of social class dynamics, this article explores the attainment of secular immortality through affluence. A diverse set of literary media directed to or written about wealthy consumers was interpreted in a hermeneutic fashion to discern the dominant themes composing the ideology of affluence. Among these themes identified were entrepreneurial achievement of celebrity status via consumption, and secular achievement in artistry and craftsmanship. The ideology of affluence was found to promote the seeking of personal secular immortality through the cultural celebration of achievement, wealth, and the accumulation of possessions. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Research, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Consumption (Economics), Rich, Rich people, Immortality

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The consciousness of addiction: toward a general theory of compulsive consumption

Article Abstract:

This article reviews and integrates recent theories of addiction drawn from a diverse set of disciplines - consumer behavior, medicine, sociology, psychiatry, and psychology - to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the etiology of addiction and other compulsive consumer behaviors. Interpretive material from personal interviews with addicted and nonaddicted drug users is then used to illustrate the consciousness of addictive consumption. Two a priori themes - serial/simultaneous addictions and personal crises/role transitions - and five emergent themes - relapse, deception, dysfunctional families, suicide, and boundaries - are discussed. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Analysis, Compulsive behavior

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