Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by hx8 41 days ago
The entire activity of going to buy a few things for around the house during the weekend is something that is performed by a consumer. This guy is exactly talking about you, but you aren't seeing it because your own internal identity isn't Consumer it's something like "guy who wants a chill weekend." However in the marketplace your identity is consumer.
2 comments
simplyluke 41 days ago
I think we're just arguing semantics at this point. From an economic definition you, me, and everyone else who has to exchange money for goods and services is a consumer. I'm referring to consumer culture/consumerism, which wikipedia defines in a cleaner way than I can. Buying groceries period makes you a consumer, having a weird sense of superiority because you go to a specific grocery store is consumerism.

> In contemporary consumer society, the purchase and the consumption of products have evolved beyond the mere satisfaction of basic human needs,[1] transforming into an activity that is not only economic but also cultural, social, and even identity-forming.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumerism

link
SubmarineClub 41 days ago
What point are you even making?

We all have to eat, we all have to wipe our asses, we (mostly) all need to change the oil in our cars.

I don’t really see the purpose in describing the purchase of necessities as an identity.

link
hx8 41 days ago
I'm specifically trying to make the point that identity is not just a personal experience -- the experience of how you see yourself. Identity is also a label that can be placed upon you.

Parent Comment was trying to reject the personal identity of consumer while their words actively affirming their identity as a consumer in the marketplace. You can reject the personal identity of a consumer all you want, but businesses will still judge you by your actions (how much you spend).

link
Dylan16807 41 days ago
Parent Comment was responding to a person talking about self-identity and not the mere fact that everyone buys things. "This guy is exactly talking about you" is completely wrong, OP was not talking about every person ever.
link