Rethinking the Idea of Profit in Professional Communication and Cultural Capitalism

Abstract

Critical theorists often attack economic capitalists for focusing excessively on profit. But critical theorists are themselves capitalists—cultural capitalists—and they also pursue profit: in the form of publications, promotions, enhanced reputations, tenure, and course releases. Economic capitalists typically use profit for constructive reasons: as a form of audience analysis and as a way to create the wealth that enables other people to work, to have specialized jobs (including professorships), and to raise families. Profit is an integral part of the communication of economic capitalism, and the profit motive helps capitalists create safer products and usable professional communication.