Affective Consumption

Question 1

What is affective consumption?

Answer 1

We have a tendency to collect things as part of self-creation

Question 2

What did Beer (2008) argue?

Answer 2

We use musical collections and cultural collection to exhibit a mastery of consumption and sustain a particular identity

Put across an image of being a discerning consumer - you have chosen what you think is the best music

Question 3

How else can we project our identity?

Answer 3

Becoming a fan of things that are successful and popular, such as football

Associate yourself with successful/glamorous objects for self-improvement

Question 4

When does consumption begin?

Answer 4

Childhood

Question 5

Does consumption die out?

Answer 5

No. Consumption often extends from childhood to adulthood and is part of a life-long project or association (E.g., fans of a football club or a particular artist/musical group)

Question 6

Is there a historical precedent for this cultural activity of consumption?

Answer 6

Yes

Question 7

What did Foucault (1988) write about?

Answer 7

Technology of the self

Question 8

What does the technology of the self refer to?

Answer 8

A device or strategy for developing one’s personal identity

Question 9

What are the origins of technology of the self found in?

Answer 9

Religious activities

People with strong religious beliefs would have fashioned the self to become a better person in eyes of God and the church and behave in a correct fashion

Cultivate the self for an all-seeing God

Question 10

What did Foucault see religious activities as the origin of?

Answer 10

Introspective practices - writing personal letters or diaries

Keep a diary as a self-improvement project (record your development)

Question 11

What is the suggestion in terms of collecting practices that we indulge in?

Answer 11

Collecting practices can be connected to previous activities

Part of self-development

Part of the technology of the self

A way for us to become a better consumer