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I Don't Feel Like Buying Stuff Anymore
Becoming a vehicle for capitalistic desires of abundance and overconsumption. We’re asking, what would an underconsumption-core of love look like? What if we could take only what we required in the moment, better able to understand ourselves and our needs in the context of the present?
Just when it seemed more Americans were inspired by the ideas of “underconsumption core” and “conscious consumerism,” which aim to put a lid on social media-influenced overspending, the back-to-school shopping season kicked off early — followed by TikTok hashtag #backtoschoolhauls.
So much for TikTok's 'underconsumption' trend, as back-to-school shopping hits its stride
The result has been a dynamic of materialism (‘retail therapy’) fuelled by cheap imports as compensation for the lost ability to work towards security (home ownership, for example), along with, increasingly, drugs and depression. Sociologist Wolfgang Streeck calls this ‘coping, hoping, doping and shopping’.
Paul Behrens • The Best of Times, The Worst of Times: Futures from the Frontiers of Climate Science
The trend is an offshoot of “de-influencing,” which involves creators sharing negative experiences with trendy products and telling viewers not to buy them.
“We need to make a shift in who we’re following,” Ms. Pexton said. “We are in control of our algorithm.”
“We need to make a shift in who we’re following,” Ms. Pexton said. “We are in control of our algorithm.”
Remy Tumin • Tired of Influencers, TikTok Users Try ‘Underconsumption Core’ to Cut Costs
There are four big forces that have played a critical role in manipulating and feeding hyper-consumption: the power of persuasion; the buy now, pay later culture; the law of life cycles; and the “just one more” factor.
Rachel Botsman • What's Mine Is Yours: The Rise of Collaborative Consumption
Like everything else, this concept is being tested brutally by the Covid-19 pandemic. Rent the Runway, the fashion rental service, has had to rethink its plans as fewer Americans commute to offices or attend fancy events. Joymode, which rented out thousands of products, from electronics to margarita machines, closed. Uber rides — which were suppose... See more