Most middle-school kids have better things to think about than whether or not they’re members of the 1%. But one Los Angeles …
self-esteem
How Attractive Clothes Shoppers Affect Our Buying Habits
I Borrow, Therefore I Am!
A recent study led by Ohio State University Professor Rachel Dwyer yields a shocking, appalling, and mostly just terrifying conclusion: Many young people feel empowered by their student loan debt — and even by their credit card debt.
Why the Nano, the ‘World’s Cheapest Car,’ Is Going Nowhere
To much fanfare in 2009, India—a hotbed of innovative products within reach of the poor like the $70 refrigerator and the $23 stove—introduced the world to the Tata Nano, a car retailing for a mere $2,200. A year and a half or so later, the Nano is basically considered a flop, with only a few hundred sold each month. Why aren’t …
Psych Study: When You’re Bummed, You’re More Likely to Buy
The idea of conspicuous consumption implies some amount of showing off. You buy stuff to demonstrate, in conspicuous fashion, just how well you’re doing. But a new study shows that buying high-status goods isn’t only about flashing some plumage. You might also be willing purchase pricey goods for entirely internal reasons—specifically, …
