Question

read the article “Needing the Unnecessary” by James B.Twitchell. (The article is easily found by conducting an internet search using the word in the title). How is luxury defined? Do you agree with this definition and with the role society?

Answer 1

In the Article " Needing the Unnecessary", James B. Twitchell defines Luxury as consumption of Articles or things which are high in price but very low in utility and meaning - This is done just for self satisfaction and happiness. Value of a something we buy is dependent on What is our necessity for that thing. If that is satisfying our necessity then it has higher utility. If it does not satisfy more than its substitute - it has low utility (Comparatively). If Car is necessity then spent $100000 and by a suitable car to satisfy the need. But if we spend $1000000 to buy a car, it will give you same utility value but at higher cost. I agree with how Luxury is defined as needing the unnecessary by James.

In Modern society, Luxury is used as means to measure the status of a person. Food is necessity but spending on it more than what is your need is treated as Luxury. This is habit of spending on luxury creates need for unnecessary thing in life.

The biggest Consumer of the Luxury thing are not the top class rich people. Its the middle class people who need something and can be spend $X to satisfy that need. But they spend $X+ to satisfy the same need due to influence from marketing, advertisements.