“Consumerism creates an abstract world of signs and symbols separate from the economic context of commerce and production”
Mass produced goods are emptied of the meaning of their production ( the context in which they were produced and the labour that created them.) then filled with new meanings in ways that both mystify the product and turn it into a fetish object.
Commodities project a sense of personality and untrue individuality. The issue of bad manufactories and bad working conditions overseas is being understood more, and a trend to buy away from this is developing.
An article in an Australian newspaper highlighted the issue of appaling working and living conditions at a factory that produced Apple iPads. The article stated that staff were forced to sign a document saying that they would not commit suicide, because of the bad conditions. People are becoming more aware of what price is being payed by others so we may have our commodities. Other companies such as Nike, Nestle and Cadbury have also been put in the spotlight is reguards to this issue, Cadbury now has a range of fair trade chocolate.
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| The Apple iPad, manufactured by workers in appalling conditions |
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| The brand or price of a product can add extra value and desire for consumers |
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| Cabury's fair trade chocolate. |
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