While reading the excerpt from the Distinction it became quite evident how greatly intertwined identity and consumption are with one another. This selection devlved deeply into an analysis of how cultural consumption and the homology, as well as the opposition, is apparent and varying from culture to culture. Each culture has their own identity that is reflected in their behaviors. The majority of the selection is dedicated to observing how food, culture and presentation, are three structures that are greatly influenced by a given cultures consumption. This is a complex idea that was thoroughly described throughout the section, with a specific emphasis on food. I’ve always found it fascinating how much you can learn about a specific group of people through their food practices. This is very apparent in American culture, as well. As Americans we are known for our consumption in the masses. The world we are accustomed to is one of mass consumption and food is no exception. Due to this we have many Americans who are overweight often because of our super size fast-food varieties large portion size in restaurants, and unhealthy choices in the supermarkets. However, what the article also claims is that there are identities within our culture that can be defined by what we consume from the world around us. Furthermore, the class distinction of the working class versus the elite professionals, due to the different economic backgrounds, also shows up in products we buy. For example the reading points out how the working class is more apt to buy fast-food products and low cost food items, that often retain little to no nutritional value. Whereas, the upper class can afford more high end products which shows up in what they buy as an American consumer.
The idea presented about material capital, which I view as monetary value is surely intertwined with how classes are developed, which I have discussed in the aforementioned paragraph. Another idea is to consider symbolic capital and what that says about our cultural system. Money is often viewed as a status symbol in our country and what we buy with that money is a representation of our more than just our wealth, or lack there of, but our social and cultural practices. What we buy says a great deal about what we value, cherish and enjoy. Therefore, it could be said that the things we buy are in direct relation to our economic class and our social and cultural system.
4 comments:
I think alot of what he says rings true. You can tell alot about someones personality by what they eat. Self discipline, respect for your body, and how wasteful you are, are all things you can see in what people buy to eat. But how you treat money all together is very indicative of your background and your personality. People have so many different cultures, and money is treated very differently among all of them.
I agree with your thoughts on Distinction. You can almost always tell what kind nationality a person is by what type of foods they consume. Americans are well known for producing mass quantities of unhealthy fast food and also for being wasteful. Hell, when I go into the dinning hall I could feed several starving children with the amount of stuff I throw away. I am not proud of that, but it shows something about Americans. We throw so much away because we can.
If you look at other cultures money and food are valued, in my opinion, much more than it is in America. I guess it comes down to the way we were brought up and what we were taught to respect.
I also agree with a lot of what was stated in the article. It's simple observation and assumption, and people prove assumptions to often be true. Fancy car = Lots of money. It rarely equals "gift from only wealthy family member." Same goes for food, you can tell that some people eat what they want, regardless of how healthy it is, and when some people restrict themselves to a diet and exercise to keep in shape.
- Alex Patick
I believe it is easier to distinguish different cultures versus the American culture, by consumption. America is a place of abundant diversity, in which the varation in behavior is much more widespread; whereas in other smaller countries, the culture is much more succient. For instance, the extreme differences of wealth in this country account for different mannerisms. Growing up poor, the tendency to spulge and waste is much more unlikely than growing up luxuriously. However in third world countries, these opposing dynamics live side by side, making the wealthy much more humble than the rich of the United States. Gated developments shut Americans out of the poor communities, disabling them from witnessing the desperation in contrast to their excess.
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