A binge-consuming culture: The effect of consumerism on social interactions in western societies

Abstract

We live in a “binge-consuming” culture. Indeed, a certain compulsion to consume seems to characterize not only the way in which people relate to the object world of luxury goods, but also the way we relate to other people, institutions and society in general. In this sense, the term “binge”—usually associated with addictions—may be also useful in identifying our consuming culture. The aim of this article is to discuss how the same psychological processes that are taken into account to explain binge compulsions may be applied to binge as a consumerist and utilitarian way of relating to others. In particular, four aspects characterizing binge addictions—present-time orientation, impulsiveness, the crisis of the relationship with authority and narcissism—may also be recognized in the “normal” way of approaching life and society.