Rating: 
Summary: Keeping up with 90210, and other inequalities
Review: I was afraid, when I was ordering this book, that even though the topic interests me, the book would be dry and academic. However, it isn't - it's well written, and easy to follow, not overladen with academic studies. Schor's basic thesis is that Americans used to be satisfied with keeping up with the Joneses down the street, in their own neighborhood, but now we feel we must keep up with the rich and famous we see on TV.In the introduction, Ralph Nader mentions another book, _Fat and Mean : The Corporate Squeeze of Working Americans and the Myth of Managerial 'Downsizing'_, which is also worth reading. Add to that another book, _Why We Buy : The Science of Shopping_, which I've also read. It's about how marketers induce people to shop and buy. Taken together, the three books will make you think, and definitely give you a basis for rejecting overt commercialism. You'll think twice about your next purchase in a store! (Except for books, of course; buying books is GOOD!) _
Rating: 
Summary: A Massive Disappointment
Review: If you're like me, you loved Schor's previous work, The Overworked American and The Overspent American. I found them to be well written as well as thought provoking. This work, however, does follow in this pattern. First of all, contrary to the clever marketing, the vast majority of it is not written by Schor at all. It's basically a Schor tribune book. A bunch of far lesser known scholars put forth their theories on consumption in a sort of reply to what Schor has said in her previous research. Further, what these other scholars have to say is just not that interesting. It doesn't fill a void in our collective knowledge the way that Schor's original work did. Overall, I think this book is a pretty shameless attempt to cash in on Schor's popularity. However, there are a few interesting points and for those most interested in consumption research, it may be worth a read.
Rating: 
Summary: Highly recommended for non-specialist general readers.
Review: In Do Americans Shop Too Much?, Harvard economist Juliet Schor (with the assistance of Robert Frank, Michele Lamont, Lawrence Mishel and others) traces the current over consumption trends of American consumers influenced by media presentations of affluence. Calling for Americans to see private consumption in the light of public costs and consequences (including debt burdens, interest rate erosions on disposable income, etc.) Schor suggests a consumer movement in which people re-evaluate their basic needs versus media and advertising induced desires, placing instead, new, more financially conservative and budget-friendly values on family, leisure and community time. Enhanced with an informative Foreword by consumer advocate Ralph Nader, Do Americans Shop Too Much? is clearly written and highly accessible reading recommended for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in financial management, the impact of culture on spending habits, and the influence of media on personal and family financial behavior.
Rating:
Summary: Concise Yet Insightful Read
Review: In her compilation, "Do Americans Shop Too Much", Juliet Schor offers a unique and provocative essay that expounds the negative impact of consumerism on American culture. She argues that many of the woes and ills suffered by members of American society are a direct result of competitive, conspicuous consumption and waste. Americans, she claims, are simply too entrenched in a vicious cycle of spending; a cycle which leaves the consumer working more, desiring more, wasting more, and heavily in debt.
The compilation is divided into three parts: Schor's initial essay, nine short response essays from various scholars and intellectuals, and a final reply from Schor. The essays are an extremely easy read and provide a tremendous amount of insight into the harmful and deleterious effects that consumption is having on the American way-of-life.
As some of the response essayists argue, Schor's critique may put too much emphasis on economics while neglecting some pressing social issues. At times, each of the essays seem to oversimplify the deep-seeded complexities associated with American cultural ills. In their response essay, authors Michele Lamont and Virag Molnar point to Schor's over-reliance on classical economic theory to explain current American societal problems. They insist that American social ills and monetary obsession are not simply the result of conspicuous consumption. Rather, the essayists assert, these problems find their roots in the prevailing and pervasive American social structure.
Whatever the case, Juliet Schor's compilation provides a clear and succinct written forum to debate the burning question: "Do Americans Shop Too Much?". Often, I would have liked the essayists to elaborate more on certain points. Details and explanations were lost in an editorial attempt to maintain concise arguments. Also, Schor could have delved more deeply into the destructive effects of consumption on the environment.
Overall, this book is a current events must-read for everyone. Like all good reads, it leaves its audience with more questions than answers. Its short length and concise style makes it a perfect evening or weekend pursuit. If nothing else, it will provide you with something to brood over and an excellent topic for dinner-table discussion.
Rating: 
Summary: Yes, they shop too much
Review: In her essay concerning American consumerism, Juliet Schor takes the reader on a journey into the mind of the modern consumer. She enlightens the reader by explaining reasons for most of today's consumption habits and their related concerns. She is in effect trying to explain what Ralph Nader called "new consumerism," in that Americans today spend and spend to upscale the lifestyle they wish to express whether they are of that social class or not. Juliet Schor defines it as "conspicuous consumption" which can be explained as unresearched, unplanned buying for reasons of social status. Much of today's "post-modern spending," according to Schor, can be attributed to the desire to have what the richer already have. This snowballs into mass frustration among those who can't afford such items; items which make one look richer to his or her peers.
Outside of Schor explaining modern spending patterns of today's American consumers, she also brings about interesting facts and theories regarding these consumer habits and how they have evolved. A noteworthy section of her essay regards the modern woman. She explains how as modern married women keep entering the workforce, they become more and more exposed to the very diverse economic status of her peers. This, in turn, according to Schor, gives them incentive to "gaze upward" and look to acquire items which the higher status co-workers already have. This would not have happened if the women had not left the home in the first place and stayed amongst friends in the neighborhood whom, most likely, lived in the same economic lifestyle as she. Moreover, television as well has pushed the family as a whole to spend more. Less time conversing with neighbors of equal status and more time watching shows and commercials that glorify the rich and their possessions makes people of all ages, races, and gender want to spend more.
These are just some of the many points that Juliet Schor brings about in her essay which is at the same time factual and theoretical. Even though many of the facts go without evidence and much of the essay is theoretical, one can't read this book without asking himself or herself if what she consumes on a day to day basis is necessary and for what reason in the first place was the instinct to buy such a product. I believe this book to be a must-read not only for one's sake of learning conscious consumption, but also for one's sake to recognize the inequality that goes along with one's spending versus another's.
Rating:
Summary: Book Review on "Do Americans Shop Too Much"
Review: Juliet Schor brings to light many new questions about how we as a society are conducting are lives. In her book she asks the question why Americans have such a fascination with quanity, or the concept that bigger is better. She believes that the main reason we as a society have drive to consume is the idea of competitive consumption. This where average middle class citizens are no longer trying to keep up with their neighbors down the street, but the rich and famous that are so publicized throughout the media. She believes the rise in consumption started when married women entered the work force. This caused women to be more exposed to wealth at higher levels. This in turn led to the decline of close nit neighborhoods. People are spending less time with their neighbors and friends and more time watching television. Where consumption is promoted constantly. These messages that are heard and seen on a regular basis instill in us the idea that we should be able to buy whatever we want whenever we want. Schor's main focus is to reveal to us how we as a society are destroying our planet and our quality of life. Sport utility vechiles, air conditioning, and foreign travel use lots of energy and are contributing to global warming. Larger homes are destroying open spaces and leading to deforestation worldwide. Daily newspaper, monthly magazines, and other paper products are also leading to the loss of forest. She points out that consumers have little or no idea of the environmental impacts of their consumption habits. She feels the solution lies in corporate and government practices. But people who are concerned about making a difference should be getting involved with environmentalist who are trying to educate and change practices at state and local levels. This book really opened my eyes to the problems we as a society face with consumption. I was caught off guard by some interesting facts that were listed by Betsy Taylor( a colleague of Schor's). For example how the U.S. with only 5% of the worlds population consumes 30% of the worlds resources, or how the typical American disgards nearly a ton of trash a year. I agree with Schor that something needs to be done about these problems. I think the best solution is informing the public of ways to reduce consumption at a local level. This is where people are the most ignorant on these issues, and thus this is where the most progress can be made.
Rating:
Summary: Do Americans Shop Too Much?
Review: Juliet Schor presents the premise that a problem exists with consumption in the United States, brought on by strategic product advertising and marketing that divides consumers between those that have status goods and those that seek these status goods. The rise of television, Schor asserts, has conveyed this message to consumers, and television works to "...inflate the viewer's perceptions of what others have, and by extension what is worth acquiring-what one must have in order to avoid being `out of it'" (9). Striving to stay competitive and level in socioeconomic status and in the capitalist workplace of America has created dissatisfaction among many Americans with their lifestyles, as they strive to fit in with these status "norms." Schor describes this cycle of consuming, to remain on an even status plane with others and increase well-being, as being on a "positional treadmill." Furthermore, Schor cites, "One survey of U.S. households found that the level of income needed to fulfill one's dreams doubled between 1986 and 1994" (10), and notes that median income in American households is even exceeded by this amount. The current American consumption situation, according to Juliet Schor, is damaging to the environment through negative product "externalities" like pollution, that are not reflected in product price. Consumerism facilitates easy control over government policy by corporate leaders, decreases leisure time, and creates a retail culture of uniformity.
After outlining six assumptions of consumer behavior and processes in the capitalist American workplace, Schor presents seven components of what she calls the "Politics of Consumption," a political framework that ought to exist in order to transform the current situation of American consumerism into a "new consumerism." One component Schor discusses is that a "new consumerism" must be ecologically sustainable, as current American consumption patterns are drastically over-demanding of the Earth's natural resources; that is, it is not at all possible for the Earth to sustain the current population if everyone possessed the quality of life that a typical American possesses. Although I agree with Schor on this premise thoroughly, I disagree with the support used in preaching for environmental sustainability, and with her proposals for change. Schor cites global warming trends regarding sport utility vehicles, air conditionings and global travel, as well as the energy and resource use of home development, and the subsequent loss of open space that arises from such development, all as evidence for the need of environmental sustainability. Schor, however, fails to properly address the main cause of environmental degradation, that is, the imbalance in world resource use and consumption, and the attitude that has been instilled in American culture of superiority, elitism, and a lack of global consumer perspective.
Americans are inundated through the media, advertising, cultural norms, and governmental policy, with the idea that the United States is somehow better than the rest of the world, having the right to consume at disproportionate levels at the expense of other nations and other peoples. The obesity problem in the United States directly supports this premise, as millions and millions of Americans suffer from obesity through over-consumption of food resources, while millions suffer from malnourishment around the world. Until American attitudes of consumption are modified into those of global concern, and Americans begin to realize the global impact of their purchases and lifestyles, environmental sustainability will be difficult to achieve. While Schor stresses a need to "...educate, mobilize, and change practices at the neighborhood and household level" (30), she fails to address the lack of worldwide perspective of the typical American consumer. Encouraging someone to recycle for example, or purchase "fair trade" food products is not one in the same as cultivating a new sense of the global environmental and social impact of consumption. Americans are taught that they ought to do what is right for them and those they support, and thoughts of adverse effects on subsidiary peoples in other parts of the world do not enter their thought process during consumption. Attitudes are at the root of the sustainability problem, and although governmental regulation of environmental policy is necessary to address immediate and surface level concerns, true environmental change cannot be achieved until consumption perspectives are changed. This premise should be at the root of Schor's argument as well.
Furthermore, I disagree with Schor's main premise that the current American consumption problem is based on this cycle of consumers trying to fit in with status norms and remain level with other consumers that are on a higher socioeconomic level than they. Other factors have contributed to the over-consumption in American culture, such as the advance of a technological and global economy, as well as the increase in income, work diversity, and product availability. Current trends in consumption may merely be a natural result of shifting economic conditions in America, and not of fierce socioeconomic competition. Lamont and Molnar's assertion that individuals have been found to seek "social maximization" by, "...centering their attention on other spheres and activities: intimacy, creativity, morality, religion, education, and the arts..." (78), displays that consumption in the modern American economy may not be the lone venue for achieving self-satisfaction and "well-being." Whatever the cause of the current trend of over-consumption in the United States, steps must be taken to alleviate its effects on the environment, social structure and attitudes, and other peoples and institutions in America and worldwide.
Rating:
Summary: Book Review
Review: Juliet Schor's "Do Americans Shop to much?" is a factual based novel on how our economy is using more natural resources than what is needed. She expresses the main points of emphasis by writing her opinion and having responses from others. She also points out arguments that I would have never gained interest in and with this I have become more socially aware of the situation of our economy and nation that ranks number one in power but fails to realize the importance of the old mighty dollar.
She draws the points of how she thinks we, especially the upper and upper middle class, consume to much of earths natural resources for our own good and its destroying the little that we have left. The fact that a person who is living off of slim next to nothing can get by, then why can't someone of the highest class do the same and stop getting what they don't need. I say to that, whats the point of being rich if you cant show that you are rich. Everyone wants to live happy, having money is the number one way to go. Those who said that they are content with what they have and don't need fancy and luxury items to live is lying, let the truth be told they to would be buying unnecessary items that they feel they need but in actuality don't.
Juliet Schor touches the facts about taxing luxury items so maybe the rich wont buy as much and when they do, more can come back to those who don't have as much. Truth is, the people who have the power to make all this happen are rich themselves, passing this as a law is pretty close to impossible. The fact that even if this law would e passes, it would just give the rich more reason to up hold these luxury items because one less of those with money will be able to afford them. So us being the persistent selfish people we are, will do whatever is possible to make sure that we obtain that. Its only in our nature to do so and it shows everyday.
Most of What Schor discusses doesn't make the most sense to me. If you have the money, use it. There should be no restrictions on the money you earned. The ones telling you to give it to causes that are better for the economy are the ones with no money most of the time. I say do you. Buy what you want to at any time you want. Because those same people that are telling you what to do with your money would be buying or spending that money the same way you are.
What she says does make sense, but it's such a pessimistic way of looking at our higher class. She's looking at the glass as being half empty instead of half full. Sure you have your upper class old aged Caucasians who only want the rich to get richer and the poorer to get poorer. But that is just how our economy is. The rich cannot blame for what they have and how they use it. But society can for setting this up as a lose lose situation for the loser and a win win situation for the winner. The fact being that the way things are now, aren't going to change anytime soon.
She fells to touch the basis I think of how most of the upper class today got to where they are. Not all of them were born into wealth. And its usually the ones with the most money who started everything themselves. That's truly not fair to those who worked hard for everything that they had and are being rewarded with all of their money. For those who haven't had the same luck as those entrepreneurs who have made plenty out themselves, there is a reason, either the drive wasn't there to reach the goal or certain events that were well out of their control held them back with no other choice. My point is that we do all this complaining and we wouldn't give a second thought to not doing what the rich man is doing with his money. Everything is like this for the reason. If you don't like it, do something about it, which I highly doubt.
Rating:
Summary: Book Review
Review: Juliet Schor's "Do Americans Shop to much?" is a factual based novel on how our economy is using more natural resources than what is needed. She expresses the main points of emphasis by writing her opinion and having responses from others. She also points out arguments that I would have never gained interest in and with this I have become more socially aware of the situation of our economy and nation that ranks number one in power but fails to realize the importance of the old mighty dollar.
She draws the points of how she thinks we, especially the upper and upper middle class, consume to much of earths natural resources for our own good and its destroying the little that we have left. The fact that a person who is living off of slim next to nothing can get by, then why can't someone of the highest class do the same and stop getting what they don't need. I say to that, whats the point of being rich if you cant show that you are rich. Everyone wants to live happy, having money is the number one way to go. Those who said that they are content with what they have and don't need fancy and luxury items to live is lying, let the truth be told they to would be buying unnecessary items that they feel they need but in actuality don't.
Juliet Schor touches the facts about taxing luxury items so maybe the rich wont buy as much and when they do, more can come back to those who don't have as much. Truth is, the people who have the power to make all this happen are rich themselves, passing this as a law is pretty close to impossible. The fact that even if this law would e passes, it would just give the rich more reason to up hold these luxury items because one less of those with money will be able to afford them. So us being the persistent selfish people we are, will do whatever is possible to make sure that we obtain that. Its only in our nature to do so and it shows everyday.
Most of What Schor discusses doesn't make the most sense to me. If you have the money, use it. There should be no restrictions on the money you earned. The ones telling you to give it to causes that are better for the economy are the ones with no money most of the time. I say do you. Buy what you want to at any time you want. Because those same people that are telling you what to do with your money would be buying or spending that money the same way you are.
What she says does make sense, but it's such a pessimistic way of looking at our higher class. She's looking at the glass as being half empty instead of half full. Sure you have your upper class old aged Caucasians who only want the rich to get richer and the poorer to get poorer. But that is just how our economy is. The rich cannot blame for what they have and how they use it. But society can for setting this up as a lose lose situation for the loser and a win win situation for the winner. The fact being that the way things are now, aren't going to change anytime soon.
She fells to touch the basis I think of how most of the upper class today got to where they are. Not all of them were born into wealth. And its usually the ones with the most money who started everything themselves. That's truly not fair to those who worked hard for everything that they had and are being rewarded with all of their money. For those who haven't had the same luck as those entrepreneurs who have made plenty out themselves, there is a reason, either the drive wasn't there to reach the goal or certain events that were well out of their control held them back with no other choice. My point is that we do all this complaining and we wouldn't give a second thought to not doing what the rich man is doing with his money. Everything is like this for the reason. If you don't like it, do something about it, which I highly doubt.
Rating:
Summary: Quick articulate read
Review: Juliet Schor's "Do Americans Shop Too Much?" is a helpful book for readers who want a good introduction to the social criticism of consumption in American society. She outlines the problems associated with excessive consumerism and its fundamental causes. Schor believes that now more than ever, families in the Unites States are finding it more difficult to fulfill their view of a "satisfying standard of living." She feels that this is a direct result consumers comparing themselves to extravagant lifestyles. For instance, in previous generations families would compare themselves to others in the neighborhood. As a result, expectations were not as extravagant. However, as social connections within neighborhoods declined and television became the dominant influence on society, consumers began to compare their lifestyle to a larger scale. Schor suggests other contributing factors such as women entering the workforce and the growing income gaps between the upper and lower class.
I felt that Schor's best solution is social awareness. By educating people about the importance of saving and limiting waste consumption, families will benefit the most. Schor points out that when society focuses on materialism the environment and social connections within neighborhoods and families become endangered. On the other hand, to some extent I feel that her methods of educating the public are too radical. Schor recommends that we tax luxury products so that it will be harder for all to attain such goods. This will only increase the demand for such products and cause lower income families to work more to acquire material things. I feel a strong emphasis in needed on educating American consumers so that the market forces revolutionize the materialistic economy. Any artificial change will only serve as a temporary fix or make the situation worse.
Juliet Schor's "Do American's Shop Too Much?" has certainly helped teach me the fundamentals of how and why we consume so much. The book's blend of scholarly critiques has made me rethink what scale I should evaluate my standard of living on. Moreover, it has shows the strong connection materialism has with harming our social definition of happiness as well as our natural environment. Overall, the book is a good introduction to understanding American consumerism, and if you have a chance it's a quick articulate read.
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