Conspicuous Consumption

In a WWD article by Jacob Bernstein,readers are shown the previous patterns of spending, and how they measure up today, no doubt in light of the current economic situation that plagues our country. It has become, "a binge and purge", and a "boom and bust" moment.

An example:

Boom: Paris Hilton
Paris is a perfect example of how the rich get richer, and people who are actually talented receive no time in the limelight, however well-deserved. Celebrities of her calibre are often famous for doing nothing truly relevant, if not just to entertain the masses with their antics.

Bust: Suze Orman
The financial expert is everywhere these days: on books, on Oprah, on CNN. Money-saving and tightening the belt-loops has become de rigueur.

Other "booms" include the CNBC network with John Stewart, and socialites without money. The busts? Things like restructuring as a business strategy and distressed real estate.

What once was, no longer is. Although a light-hearted take on the world's current economic meltdown, it does open our eyes and perhaps make us put our money where our mouth is.