Are these the 2020s, the 1920s or doesn’t it matter?
The escapism of decadence
“It may seem odd, but in times of economic insecurity, we often see very decadent aesthetics take hold,” the Los Angeles-based theorist [Sean Monahan] tells us. “There’s something a bit protective about embracing hedonism and consumerism. In some ways, [it’s like] you’re saying the bad economy isn’t affecting you.”
https://theface.com/society/buy-now-pay-later-money-debt-young-people-klarna-sean-monahan
Is the bad economy affecting you?
Are the people whom the bad economy is not affecting affecting you?
Or are the people whom the bad economy is affecting affecting you?
Are you keeping your head when all around you are losing theirs and blaming it on you?
Are you keeping your head by not giving a second thought to those around you who are losing their heads and blaming it on you?
What is a bad economy?
The picture above is of 1920s decadence. This is what decadence used to look like in the 18th century:
If you google “modern decadence”, however, what you get is images like this:
So, modern decadence is the same as 1920s decadence. Is that a shifting of responsibility, or history repeating itself?
Can you really afford those shoes?
You are spot on as usual Graham, decadence is decadence, whatever this era, whatever the region on the planet. We always seem to tolerate, at best, or worship and admire at worst those who have committed crimes and fraud to accumulate MORE of the wealth of nations than that to which they are entitled.