Conspicuous Consumption in Los Angeles
Dreamer: Dan, 29, North American
I experienced a dream last night that I can't seem to release from my thoughts. Reason being is because I am not a materialistic person and do not understand its meaning.
Last night I dreamt I was driving and enjoying a new white Mercedes SL 500 convertible. I was wearing white designer shorts and a shirt. I received a lot of attention and could not figure out why.
Why sure, like any normal person, I would love to have this car, although not my favorite, but would not consider paying such a figure. The price tag is way beyond my annual salary at this time. I started a job recently with a very prominent company here in Los Angeles by accident and am becoming aware of the status it holds. The salary is not what I would like to be making but I am able to live somewhat comfortable.
Please provide your thoughts regarding this dream. I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you.
Mr. Hagen's Reply: Conspicuous Consumption in LA
Your dream is not about materialism per se, it is about what the American sociologist Thorsten Veblen called "conspicuous consumption". Your dream is talking about the possibilities money can produce, i.e., receiving attention which the car (Mercedes) and the clothes (fashion) can afford you (see Charles Dember, "The Pursuit of Power: Attention and Individualism in Everyday Life") as well as status (see the American sociologist Vance Packard's "The Status Seekers"). Does money regulate thoughts and behavior in our society? Does it hold us captive to the temptations of materialism? Is this dream not the American Dream?
Los Angeles, the setting of your work and your dream, is a lure which can induce egotistical visions and dark boulevards for broken dreams. The solution is simple in theory, difficult in practice: balancing spiritual (in whatever form) and material needs is the key to lifestyle problems.
For more literature to understand more about your dream see, John Brooks, "Showing Off in America:From Conspicuous Consumption to Parody Display" and Georg Simmel's "Philosophy of Money".
Hope these thoughts are of help and provide some insight,
Mark H.