Consumption and Emotion: The Romantic Ethic Revisited

Abstract

This article revisits Campbell's (1987) The Romantic Ethic and the Spirit of Modern Consumerism thesis in the light of new intersections with sociological issues of embodiment and emotions. A variety of themes and issues are raised: the persistence of mind/body, reason/emotion dualities in the consumption literature, the importance of `disappointment' in consumer culture, external factors which mediate the consumption experience, and finally the interpretation of both Romanticism and romantic, interpersonal relationships. A largely disembodied and socially disembedded account of consumption and emotion is on offer here, the implications of which extend far beyond the limits of Campbell's thesis to debates on consumer culture and the sociological enterprise in general. In making these claims, we highlight the need for a `passionate' sociology which would in turn integrate embodiment and emotions more fully into the consumption agenda. These key themes are discussed, with some sociological pointers for the future, in consumption and beyond.

A phenomenological exploration of music festival experience

“…In doing so this echoes the point raised earlier by Boden & Williams (2002) and Carù & Cova (2007) in relation to experience research. This is expanded upon by Hutchins (2008) who concluded that cognition and culture operate on a highly nuanced relationship plain.…”

“…This broad overview also resonates with the earlier discussions around experience consumption and points raised by Boden & Williams (2002) and Carù & Cova (2003a, 2003b regarding the value of disappointment and the positive enhancements that can emerge from consuming extraordinary experiences. That is to say then, that all experiences affect us, shape us and change us.…”

“…For this reason, there needs to be a more reflective approach to experience which will yield greater insights into theory, research and practice (Carù & Cova, 2003a). Boden & Williams (2002) concur and consider that emerging intersections of related fields of inquiry are providing promising developments in the understanding of experience and consumption. At its core is that there needs to be a transcendence of the mind/body, reason/emotion duality which can be most effectively reached when contrasting perspectives engage with, rather than ignore, one another.…”

“…For example, what role does disappointment have in our experience of events like music festivals? Boden & Williams' (2002) consideration of disappointment sheds an interesting light on this question. Reviewing Campbell's (1987) thesis, the role and position of disappointment in the consumption experience is questioned.…”

Prolonging Life: Appreciations of a Secondhand ‘Capital’ Machine

“…In using the term commodity I understand it to mean things or objects that have been valorised in some form or shape, for example, attributing a monetary value. In what follows, I draw upon works that have reflected on the malleability inherent in the value of commodities (see Boden and Williams, 2002;Colls, 2004;Crewe and Gregson, 1998;Jackson, 2004;Miller, 1998b;Williams et al, 2001;Zukin and Maguire, 2004). However, a point of departure I wish to make is to look at 'capital' commodities -commodities used for commercial or business purposes -and to look at secondhand goods in these contexts.…”