That's a good point, and I'm in favor of those 'cultural expressions'. But I think we're fooling ourselves if we think somebody is buying a gas-guzzling SUV, or the next iPhone, so they will have the ability to write the next great American novel. I'd venture that most consumption is a status game.
I think my larger point is we have to zoom out for a systems level analysis. We shouldn't assume that the production is de-coupled from the consumption, and production can come with a host of negative externalities. I'm not convinced that wonton consumption (especially for the sake of itself) is a net positive, given human nature's tendency to be insatiable with regard to consumption.
>I'd venture that most consumption is a status game.
I would include the debasement of one's moral soul for social-climbing purposes in the set of aforementioned sacrifices. :)
In any case, I did mention the dangers of overconsumption. There is something in between that and subsistence that is a net-positive for society (in this epoch, at least).
I think my larger point is we have to zoom out for a systems level analysis. We shouldn't assume that the production is de-coupled from the consumption, and production can come with a host of negative externalities. I'm not convinced that wonton consumption (especially for the sake of itself) is a net positive, given human nature's tendency to be insatiable with regard to consumption.