Definition:
Consumption culture is a social environment in which buying and owning are central to participation, belonging, and meaning.
Usage Context:
Seen in lifestyle media, advertising, social platforms, and influencer economies.
Critical Note:
When participation requires consumption, opting out becomes a form of exclusion. Identity is measured by market visibility.
Related Terms:
Consumerism, Manufactured Desire, Status Anxiety, Artificial Scarcity, Commodified Identity