The Theory of the Leisure Class
by Thorstein Veblen · first published 1899
43% recommend54% neutral2% critical
Why HN recommends it
Explains status signaling, conspicuous consumption and conspicuous leisure, and how class and social hierarchy work. Read as a lasting lens on modern status-seeking, though the 1899 prose is archaic.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Considered the first in-depth critique of consumerism, economist Thorstein Veblen's 1899 book The Theory of the Leisure Class has come to be regarded as one of the great works of economic theory. Using contemporary and anthropological accounts, Veblen held that our economic and social norms are driven by traces of our early tribal life, rather than ideas of utility.
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Now might be a good time to recommend Veblen's Theory of the Leisure Class for anyone who hasn't read it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Theory_of_the_Leisure_Class One of my touchstones for understanding the modern world.
on “For Wealthy Chinese, Bicycles Become Status Symbols” ↗…http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/feed/a41653-1999d... "Elegant dress serves its purpose of elegance not only in that it is expensive, but also because it is the insignia of leisure," Thorsten Veblen wrote in his classic "The Theory of the Leisure Class" (1899). "It not only shows that the wearer is able to consume a relatively large value, but it argues at the same time that he consumes without producing."
on “Long, Pointy Shoes in Medieval Fashion” ↗Thorstein Veblen's "The Theory of the Leisure Class" (1899). The book was difficult to read for me since the language is very archaic, but it pretty much explained a lot about how class and community is structured. As an introvert and a social recluse,…
on “Best book/paper you read in 2018?” ↗For anyone interested, I highly recommend _Theory of the Leisure Class_, in which Veblen developed the notion: http://moglen.law.columbia.edu/LCS/theoryleisureclass.pdf
on “I Charged $18k for a Static HTML Page” ↗Richard Feynman (you mentioned him) - Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman Thorstein Veblen (econ; one of the most cynical econ books I've ever read--in a good way) - The Theory of the Leisure Class Norbert Weiner (philosophy, robots) - The Human Use of Human Beings: Cybernetics and Society
on “Ask HN: Good books?” ↗…part) meant to provide status. Increasing the status of one person roughly proportionately decreases the status of another, rendering that product more or less useless from a societal point of view. The Theory of the Leisure Class by Thorstein Veblen puts forth a compelling argument along these lines.
on “Fake Work is Destroying America” ↗…considering it's literally the size of a brick at 1472 pags. It includes The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith (this is about half the book). Malthus' essay on Population, Ricardo on Political Economy, Veblen's Theory of the Leisure Class and Keynes' General theory. It's a weighty but great read; Adam Smith in particular is surprisingly easy to read despite having written over 200 years ago, though you could safely skip a few parts like…
on “Ask PG and HN: What is your recommended reading list for economic history?” ↗Author should read Thorstein Veblen's seminal work The Theory of The Leisure Class. There is no "too far" when it comes to conspicuous wealth.
on “Apple selling a $79 MacBook Pro power adapter without a USB-C cable goes too far” ↗> Society would have to work to convince people that status symbols are not worth pursuing. On this note, a book recommendation: The Theory of the Leisure Class: An Economic Study of Institutions. Thorsten Veblen, 1899. More relevant now than ever. From Wikipedia, a short summary: > a treatise on economics and a detailed, social critique of conspicuous consumption,…
on “Shaking Up the Diamond Industry” ↗…way as well. But you might benefit from reading more old school sociology books. C. Wright Mills The Sociological Imagination is great (should have been taught in college to you). Thorstein Veblen's Theory of the Leisure Class is good as well. These really seemed to me like attempts to approach truth, and perhaps that's because of the time they were written in vs the time we live in now.
on “If you think psychological science is bad, imagine how bad it was in 1999” ↗…though it's the only suitable option In fact, all of the economists that wrote originally about the "market" described precisely how it would be corrupted into what it is today Go read Veblen from 1899: Theory of the Leisure class then read chapter three of the wealth of nations and then come talk with me
on “The Contradictions of Sam Altman, AI Crusader” ↗The Theory of the Leisure Class: An Economic Study of Institutions (1899), by Thorstein Veblen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Theory_of_the_Leisure_Clas...
on “What Is Social Status?” ↗If they taught Veblen's Theory of the Leisure Class, then people wouldn't be surprised the gp reaction is the exact goal of Leisure Class. Through Conspicuous Consumption and Conspicuous Leisure where the keyword is being "Conspicuous" with all their…
Read Pareto's Circulation of the Elites and Veblen's Theory of the Leisure Class. All possible behavior of the Ruling and Non-Ruling Elites is covered. "Tech" Elites aren't doing anything different from what Elites of the past have done.
on “Ask HN: Serious) can someone ELI5 why tech elites are turning to the right?” ↗To be read with Veblen's Theory of the Leisure Class. Which needs to be updated for the over Info+Network age. At its essence its about how Signaling works within a population, to keep it together inspite of the vast difference between individuals. Veblen…
on “Biden Awards 18 Medals of Freedom, and Delivers One Unmistakable Message” ↗