Definitions HQ

Consumption (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠a kind of hysterical flight driven by an insatiable sense of 'lack.

Consumption (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠a power strategy. It is not the things themselves that are consumed, but the status value that is ascribed to them when they are made into symbols.

Consumption (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠a systematic and total idealist practice, which far exceeds our relations to objects and relations among individuals, one that extens to all manifestations (registres) of history, communication and culture.

Consumption (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠an active, collective behavior: It is something enforced, a morality, an institution. It is a whole system of values, with all that expression implies in terms of group integration and social control functions.

Consumption (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠an organized control of sign and one of the many ways any subject is assimilated in any given society. For baudrillard the logic of consumption is based on social differentiation. By the logic of social differentiation, individuals distinguish themselves and obtain social prestige and standing through the purchase and use of consumer goods.