A leading evolutionary psychologist probes the hidden instincts behind our working, shopping, and spending
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reviews
Feb 08, 2012
Xing
rated it: 
Miller pulls together an acutely relevant array of information from a range of fields (e.g. psychology, primate evolution, economics, marketing), distilling concepts to their essence in elegant prose in support of his arguments.
My favourite section: a description of correlations between risk of exposure to parasites from outgroups, vulnerability of the immune system, and tendency to be more or less open to contact with unfamiliar people and cultures.
Some points that pop out More...
My favourite section: a description of correlations between risk of exposure to parasites from outgroups, vulnerability of the immune system, and tendency to be more or less open to contact with unfamiliar people and cultures.
Some points that pop out More...
Jun 24, 2011
Ranga
rated it:
When you give a man a screwdriver, he thinks that all the world's problems can be fixed by screwing around. That's essentially what's happened to Geoffrey Miller.
Don't get me wrong. This is an excellent book, for the first half. It covers fitness indicators and how we're using consumerism as a modern way to express them. It covers psychology's current obsession with personality traits and how they fit neatly with our consumer behaviour. So far so good - I mean how rarely does scient More...
Don't get me wrong. This is an excellent book, for the first half. It covers fitness indicators and how we're using consumerism as a modern way to express them. It covers psychology's current obsession with personality traits and how they fit neatly with our consumer behaviour. So far so good - I mean how rarely does scient More...
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Mar 05, 2011
Lucas
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Great personality test:
Measuring your big five (openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, emotional stability, and extraversion)
Use the following scale to answer each question below:
1 = disagree strongly
2 = disagree a little
3 = neither agree nor disagree
4 = agree a little
5 = agree strongly
Openness (subtract the score for the second statement from the score for the first statement):
I see myself as someone who has an active imagination More...
Measuring your big five (openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, emotional stability, and extraversion)
Use the following scale to answer each question below:
1 = disagree strongly
2 = disagree a little
3 = neither agree nor disagree
4 = agree a little
5 = agree strongly
Openness (subtract the score for the second statement from the score for the first statement):
I see myself as someone who has an active imagination More...
Feb 26, 2010
Gaetan
rated it:
Family, Friends, and Sex
If South Park had an evolutionary psychologist as a character it would be Geoffrey Miller, professor at the University of New Mexico, and author of Spent: Sex, Evolution, and Consumer Behavior. Miller uses his irreverent writing style to explain global consumer culture through the application of the science of human nature. This is a particularly good book for marketers as it uses up-to-date science to explain why we, as humans, buy, and why we are often trapped b More...
If South Park had an evolutionary psychologist as a character it would be Geoffrey Miller, professor at the University of New Mexico, and author of Spent: Sex, Evolution, and Consumer Behavior. Miller uses his irreverent writing style to explain global consumer culture through the application of the science of human nature. This is a particularly good book for marketers as it uses up-to-date science to explain why we, as humans, buy, and why we are often trapped b More...
Feb 14, 2010
getAbstract
rated it: 
How evolutionary psychology applies to marketing
Evolutionary psychologist Geoffrey Miller examines modern consumer culture through a scientific lens. The result is thought-provoking, useful and often witty, but a bit uneven. Miller does of fine job of explaining evolutionary psychology and, especially, of showing how the endless purchases that define “consumerist capitalism” come from an unacknowledged need to demonstrate physical characteristics or personality traits to others. This More...
Evolutionary psychologist Geoffrey Miller examines modern consumer culture through a scientific lens. The result is thought-provoking, useful and often witty, but a bit uneven. Miller does of fine job of explaining evolutionary psychology and, especially, of showing how the endless purchases that define “consumerist capitalism” come from an unacknowledged need to demonstrate physical characteristics or personality traits to others. This More...
Apr 19, 2011
Jess
rated it:
In Spent: Sex, Evolution, and the Secrets of Consumerism Geoffrey Miller considers consumerism in an evolutionary context. To summarize his argument, purchases are used to display traits in order to increase social status and fitness. This may be obvious, but Miller puts his theories to the test against all aspects of consumer culture, even the virtual marketplace evident within World of Warcraft, and comes to the conclusion that consumerism is less about material objects and more about attempti
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Jan 17, 2012
Kristin
rated it:
This book is like a dinner date that starts out so promisingly but ends badly. For the first two thirds, the author makes witty, bright, sparkling observations about consumerism from an evo-psych perspective (all the while spreading his own peacock fan, as it were). I was particularly impressed with how he managed to weave his collection of observations about bumper stickers around Albuquerque into an entire chapter. I think I'll be forever changed by the discussion of "Big Five Plus I.Q.
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Dec 21, 2009
Judy
rated it:
Haven't finished this yet, but I love it. One of those books that when you're reading it, "explains everything." In this case, status seeking consumerism.
Take two: OK, I should have waited before reviewing. It's definitely an entertaining book that will hold your interest, but it gets more than a bit nutty as it progresses. I strongly agree with the central thesis: there are more effective was to signal our fitness (intelligence, agreeableness, conscientiousness, etc.) tha More...
Take two: OK, I should have waited before reviewing. It's definitely an entertaining book that will hold your interest, but it gets more than a bit nutty as it progresses. I strongly agree with the central thesis: there are more effective was to signal our fitness (intelligence, agreeableness, conscientiousness, etc.) tha More...
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Mar 23, 2010
Starfire
rated it:
I originally picked this up because I was going through a kick of reading books about different aspects sexuality - this book, however, is more about evolutionary psychology and consumerism (and to a lesser extent, marketing), than it is about sexuality.
Despite this, I kept reading it, because the author does have some interesting ideas, even if they're presented in a style I found myself needing to take in fairly small doses at a single reading session.
Basically, the fie More...
Despite this, I kept reading it, because the author does have some interesting ideas, even if they're presented in a style I found myself needing to take in fairly small doses at a single reading session.
Basically, the fie More...
Feb 18, 2010
Cheri
rated it:
A fun look at modern consumer culture through the eyes of an evolutionary psychologist, Spent explores how hardwired status seeking and the Big 5 personality traits – openness, conscientiousness,agreeableness, stability & extroversion – as well as general intelligence influence consumer behavior.
From the social psychology of consumer narcissism to conspicuous consumption as fitness signaling, Geoffrey Miller analyzes how the goods and services we buy unconsciously advertise our biol More...
From the social psychology of consumer narcissism to conspicuous consumption as fitness signaling, Geoffrey Miller analyzes how the goods and services we buy unconsciously advertise our biol More...
Jun 19, 2009
Paul
rated it: 
White cover with clever photo, single word title, copycat publishing. A frustrating combination of screed (deriding conspicuous consumption), analysis (we advertise our biological selves by buying what we buy), and business journalism (summarizing current marketing trends). Some chapters are well reasoned and organized, and at least one (Chapter 9) is quite entertaining. Geoffrey Miller writes well when he's on, and clearly knows the field of evolutionary biology. Overall, however, one gets the
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(2 people liked it)
Apr 11, 2010
Samantha
rated it:
Fantastic read from evolutionary psychologist Geoffrey Miller looking into our consumer behavior of what we spend, how we display it, and why. The author explains the central six traits that predict human behavior and expands on how each one affects our buying and displaying of material goods. He suggests and cites research promoting a consumption tax as opposed to an income tax; and also proposes we return to displaying our intelligence, kindness, creativity and beauty through genuine human in
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Jun 15, 2010
Lori
rated it:
In spite of Miller's sometimes mean-spirited sense of humor and occasional defensiveness, this book is an interesting examination of six evolutionary traits that drive human behavior, particularly consumption behavior. The six traits Miller discusses are general intelligence (IQ) plus the five traits of the five-factor model of personality: openness to experience, conscientiousness, agreeableness, stability, and extraversion. He discusses how people's desire to demonstrate their evolutionary fit
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May 01, 2010
Joe
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I liked the insights from Evolutionary Psychology that Miller uses to show us our consumer behavior and why that behavior exists. He is a bit too anti-consumerist though and sometimes his message gets lost because of it. Though I do have to agree that we don't really need most of the the things we buy. I like my flat-screen TV, but did I really NEED it. No, my old 27" tube television was fine, worked great. I just like my 36" flat panel, or do I? The premise of the book is that m
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Jul 12, 2011
Mitzi
rated it:
If someone figures out how to rewrite this book in a dumbed-down fashion, it will be a best seller. Its premise is that we spend money in order to send signals to others about our intelligence and personality traits. But this is wasteful, because people can usually ascertain our intelligence and personality traits within a few minutes of talking to us. The author suggests alternatives, some of which are radical. I will be talking about this book for a long time.
Jul 24, 2011
Sam
rated it:
A flamboyant tail increases a peacock's chances at reproductive success by signaling his genetic fitness, while decreasing his ability to avoid predators. This is an example of "costly signaling," and In Geoffrey Miller's view, conspicuous consumption is another -- and a poor one at that. Spent is part anti-consumerist evolutionary psychology manifesto and part a marketing advice book (Miller is a professional marketing consultant).
Feb 10, 2010
Agata
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This is one of my all time favorite books I have ever read! Geoffrey Miller explains a lot of psychological and scientific information into comprehensible, digestable, snack bite yummy pages of human behaviors and what makes us tick. This book will change your out look on how you purchase and shop.
Apr 21, 2011
Erika
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While this book contains some interesting discussion about some theories of human evolutionary psychology and how they might explain some consumer behavior, there must be some more informative, better written material out there for those who truly want to learn about the subject.
Jun 18, 2010
Arnav
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Miller presents a lot of interesting insights on our consumer minds (even if you already have strong understandings and opinions of the topic). The lengthy look at our personality traits is an unexpected but welcome addition. While some of his discussion is a bit ridiculous, he salvages himself at the end with good ideas on personal and policy choices that can really make things much better for everyone.
Aug 12, 2010
Jennifer
rated it: 
I think I'm going to quit reading this book. It's a really interesting idea but I can't get past the author's compulsion for listing things. If your point is that this information isn't taught at top business schools, do you really need to list 25 of them for me to understand? Probably not and the book would be much more engaging if you didn't. It really obscures the overall message.
Sep 27, 2010
Feistymonkey
rated it:
Two thirds thought provoking, one third crazy. I wanted to see the data for some of his wilder claims, and, perhaps more importantly, the funding sources for those studies. Some of his claims seemed very Pioneer Fund-esque.
Nov 14, 2010
Elaina
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Miller provides an overview of consumerist narcissism from an evolutionary point of view. I am not a big fan of the "Big 5" even though it is backed by a lot of research. I therefor, found the second part of the book to be a bit tiresome. Also, some of his "solutions" are a bit radical.
Aug 02, 2011
A very lucid and revealing journey into the mind of the Homo consumericus. I wonder what i´m showing off reading this book. I bet is a "g" that after reading this book has considerably expanded :-)
Sep 03, 2009
Linda
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lacked the time and mental energy to finish this esp as it seemed to say in oh so many ways how our society has bought into the marketing of more than any of us will ever need!
Sep 08, 2009
BATMAN
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well i liked this one it does have some funny ideas but they are ideas not sure if they would work or not. but i like this book. it is great read and has you thinking.
Feb 08, 2012
Karl
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Loved the GOCASE framework. Very helpful in determining consumer profiles. Thought his snarky - meant to be amusing - comments were distracting.
Jul 12, 2011
Nicole
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This was breezy and not as detailed as I'd have liked it to be, but it introduced some interesting ideas for further reading.
Jun 12, 2011
Cassandra
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FINALLY.
I loathed the author more than I thought possible - unabashedly pretentious and arrogant - BUT, thought a lot of his ideas were interesting. I'm with him on reducing consumption, and the six personality traits he outlined keep coming up mentally as I interact with different people ("Oh, she's high openness" or "Asshole! Low agreeability!").
I'm miffed I didn't finish BEFORE book club; I would've had a lot more to say.
I loathed the author more than I thought possible - unabashedly pretentious and arrogant - BUT, thought a lot of his ideas were interesting. I'm with him on reducing consumption, and the six personality traits he outlined keep coming up mentally as I interact with different people ("Oh, she's high openness" or "Asshole! Low agreeability!").
I'm miffed I didn't finish BEFORE book club; I would've had a lot more to say.
Apr 29, 2011
Rick
rated it:
Everything you ever wanted to know about the psychology of purchasing, and how we make decisions on what we want to buy.
Jan 02, 2011
Michael
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Interesting thoughts about consumer evolution with a critical and academic eye to the status quo. Additionally, he makes a compelling argument for consumption tax over income tax—one that I will adopt because I think he's right.
Stylistically, it could've been 20% shorter, but skimmable parts were easily identified.
Stylistically, it could've been 20% shorter, but skimmable parts were easily identified.
