Episode 5 - Covid-sumption

'Celebrating' one year of Covid-19, researchers Anuja Pradhan and Alev Kuruogly talks about the changes in consumer culture inflicted by the pandemic. We talk about ritualization, how spaces have changed and the dilemma of liberalism vs. responsibilization.

References and reading suggestions for this episode:

Symbolic Boundaries: Dirty-Clean:

Douglas, M. (2003). Purity and danger: An analysis of concepts of pollution and taboo. Routledge.


Covid Disruptions & responsibilization:

Utoft, EH. ‘All the single ladies’ as the ideal academic during times of COVID‐19? Gender Work Organ. 2020; 27: 778– 787. https://doi-org.proxy1-bib.sdu.dk/10.1111/gwao.12478

Bajde, D. (2020) Coronavirus: what makes some people act selfishly while others are more responsible?. The Conversation. 25th March 2020. Available at: https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-what-makes-some-people-act-selfishly-while-others-are-more-responsible-134341


(Consumption) Rituals:

Kjeldgaard and Bode (2017), “Broadening the Brandfest: Play and Ludic Agency”, European Journal of Marketing, 51(1), 23-43.

Rook, D. W. (1985). The ritual dimension of consumer behavior. Journal of consumer research, 12(3), 251-264.


Liberalism and the ideology of Consumer Choice (background readings):

Giddens, A. 1991 Modernity and Self‐Identity, Cambridge: Polity.

Lasch, C. 1979 Culture of Narcissism: American Life in an Age of Diminishing Expectations, New York: Norton.

Slater, D. (1997) Consumer Culture and Modernity. Cambridge: Polity Press .