A review by alanffm
Conspicuous Consumption by Thorstein Veblen

5.0

Veblen's classic analysis on how and why we expose wealth makes for a great read. His writing is witty, clear, and - most importantly - accurate. Conspicuous Consumption details the evolution of 'showing off'. It chronicles the transition of living conspicuously, beginning in the 'barbaric' times and ending in modernity. Hunting trophies collected by Kings who wish to relive and expose highlights of their lives (which has partial purpose), to owning miniature and weak inbred dogs in order to show how domestic one is, are two of many funny examples used to underline the gradual loss of purpose in exposing one's wealth. Veblen makes very clear how absurd things have become. In order for one to show off his or her wealth, he or she must invest it in something incredibly impracticable and useless.