This is an interesting idea Amanda. I'm curious what kind of insights you might come up with by framing the ethos of the environmental movement in the context of Veblen's theory. Like, maybe it's not really about consuming less at all. Environmentalists are conspicuous in their own right; it's seems like green appliances and shade-grown coffee have become status symbols of a sort. I think you're very right that the movement may just be a repackaged brand of conspicuous consumption. I wonder what that means about the future of environmentalism, or how it will affect its ostensible goals? Anyway, sorry for sort of rambling, but yeah, I think this is a great idea and I'm really interested to see where you take it.

-- JuliaS - 27 Mar 2008