Consumerism in James Roberts' Piece, "The Treadmill of Consumption"
Critical Reading and "The Treadmill of Consumption" Discussion
Answer the following questions (in numbered format) for James Roberts' piece, "The Treadmill of Consumption" (page 117 in the 9th Edition; page 233 in the 10th Edition) His essay deals with one of the cultural mythologies we will be discussing throughout the course - consumerism. You won't see any other students' posts until you post your answers.
What is the author's primary argument? Can you identify a thesis statement or is the thesis implied?
What key terms are fundamental to that argument? Choose two words you are unfamiliar with and look up their meaning.
What evidence does the author provide to support the argument? Is it relevant and specific? Does the author cite reliable authoritative sources?
What underlying assumptions shape the author's position (could be assumptions about peoples' desires, buying habits, or anything you seem to notice)? Does the author consider counterarguments?
5.Who is the intended readership, and do you think it affects the author's reasoning or evidence?
6.Critical reading not only requires analysis (like the questions above ask you to do), but also synthesis (connecting ideas in this text with ideas in another). Watch the commercial below, then discuss how a connotative interpretation of it relates to Roberts' ideas. Write at least 2-3 sentences in your explanation, discussing details like the imagery in the ad, the lyrics in the music, etc.
https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=RWy8IvMzOpE
Course
Institution
Date
Critical Reading and "The Treadmill of Consumption" Discussion
What is the author’s primary argument? Can you identify a thesis statement, or is the thesis implied?
In The Treadmill of Consumption, James A. Roberts argues that the pursuit of material possessions hurts people’s well-being where there is constant social competition and status consumption. Even as there is economic growth linked to consumption, there are often adverse effects on happiness that are often ignored. Buying more material possessions and having money do not necessarily translate into more happiness. People increasingly use material possessions such as phones to exhibit social status.
What key terms are fundamental to that argument? Choose two words you are unfamiliar with and look up their meaning.
The key terms are social power, conspicuous consumption, material possessions, and status symbols. Roberts (124) states that men tinker with their phones like peacocks that are strutting their plumage. Tinkering means that they are toying with their phones, likely because they are status symbols. Strutting implies boasting as consumers are signaling their phones are symbols, even without satisfaction.
What evidence does the author provide to support the argument? Is it relevant and specific? Does the author cite reliable authoritative sources?
Roberts (123) mentions that researchers in the UK studied how people used cell phones after reading newspapers on nightclubs, and there were differences in the way men and women used their cell phones. The writer referenced the study addresses differences in behavior and cites the source as a footnote. The sources are authoritative, and another study highlighting happiness is relative, while the writer uses Ted Turner's quote.
What underlying assumptions shape the au...