Tyler -
"Also, I don't think its very hard to define what is meant by "conspicuous consumption". X is a conspicuous consumer just in case X makes purchases above and beyond what is required by his/her society for the display of wealth/status."
So you are basically arguing against a capitalistic economy, since you seem to be implying that all luxury goods are wasteful and are purchased primarily for display purposes. Why would you even bother to visit such a forum as this one, then, whose main purpose seems to be to assist people in coming to a reasonable valuation for homes in Irvine, many of which could be viewed as luxurious and wasteful? Do you really need that 4 bedroom home in a gated community, or is it just a symbol of "showing that you've arrived"?
"Of course most that purchases a handbag for 10k or a car for 40k says its not for the display of wealth etc, but that is nonsense. We are primates and we behave just like them."
If I parse the English here correctly, you are saying people that buy handbags for $10k and/or cars for $40k often claim it is not for the display of wealth and you disagree. First of all, you must agree your example seems to be a little unbalanced when it comes to the prices you've quoted. I know many people who own $40k cars but only a few who regularly buy $10k purses. For the people who buy $40k cars, I don't think the majority of them do so in order to show off. First of all, at least in So Cal, $40k cars are kinda all over the place, no? Many of these people needed the space in a larger car (e.g. SUV) or liked the performance of a sports car/sedan (e.g. BMW). Some buy into the "safety" advertising certain car manufacturers stress (e.g. Mercedes). And sure, some of them may have purchased just to show off a bit. Now people who buy $10k purses usually don't care what you think and are not trying to show off as they are beyond that. They have their own problems, some of a different sort than you face on a day-to-day basis, but some which are the same.
"Each sort of community has a well-defined way to gain status, for me having fancy material things does nothing. Instead I would have to publish an article in such and such Journal etc."
My wife comes from academia and has published in top-tier journals; myself, I have published in medical journals (but not what I would call top-tier). Isn't comparing your accomplishments via publications, grants, tenure, etc., just as shallow as comparing your material wealth though? I mean, if what's really important to you is what you accomplish and the impact you have on this world while you're present here, what's the difference between publishing in Nature or Cell? Well, status I suppose. So don't be so quick to judge someone who wants to ride around in a BMW versus a Honda.
All I'm saying Tyler, is don't prejudge people that you don't really know. Your comment of "Lexus? BMW? Unless you have money coming out of your anus, who the hell buys those cars?" was unnecessarily inflammatory.
