Phronesis

In America, people consume. 70%, in fact, of our spending (GDP) is consumption. Euphemistically cloaked as aspirational, patriotic, or necessary; we buy to feel.

The problem is not how much we buy. The problem is how consuming makes us feel.

A brief portrait of capitalism: Intellect facilitates cheaper and better products through innovation, cooperation, and competition. Workers cooperate to innovate. Corporations cooperate with their customers to disseminate goods. Competition between corporations for customers inspires innovation.

So we get a lot of cheap staples and low-cost, high-quality products.
Prosperity ensues. Happiness eludes.

The problem is fast fashion. Corporations pursue this calculus to its marginal conclusion. H&M provides the semblance without the substance. And we buy it because it makes us feel good and its cheap.

Cheap is not a bargain. Value is a bargain. And value derives from a feeling of well being. Not contentment! Value is dynamic, kinetic, masculine, and protagonistic. Value derives from agency. Value is subjective truth in the demilitarized cone of objectivity.

Price is the only truth. It is the price of cooperation.

Without haggling, we have no agency. Fast fashion forces us to haggle with ourselves. We derive not the Truth but the subjective truth of the moment. The pleasure priciple.

It gives us no victory because we have bested only ourselves.