carolyn rhea's review
Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There by David Brooks
Pop social theory on how the mass affluent, with its commodity fetishism, and Veblen effectivism, drove late 20th century American economy. However, while Brooks covers a lot of territory, and some leaps are suspicious and superficial (not to mention lacking in a good examination of this same effect upon immigration and race/ethnic issues), most serve as a valid reflection of what the remaining halcyon daze before 2000 were like for the bohemian bourgeoisie, aka bobos. Ahtough for me, he runs out of steam when he finally gets to religion and sprituality.
Yet, even in this post-September 11 era complete with neoconning war, sliding dollar, rising inflation and recession, sussing out Made in China labels, pinching Costco pennies, and revitalizing eco-consciousness by recycling and bike riding, remnants of this so-called emergent upper (?) class remain. At least for the moment it might still remain in a corner of Brook's America; give or take a few flyover states.
Yet, even in this post-September 11 era complete with neoconning war, sliding dollar, rising inflation and recession, sussing out Made in China labels, pinching Costco pennies, and revitalizing eco-consciousness by recycling and bike riding, remnants of this so-called emergent upper (?) class remain. At least for the moment it might still remain in a corner of Brook's America; give or take a few flyover states.
