Don Arthur pens an amusing ode to the potato and Clive Hamilton's philosophy. I suspect Hamilton gets up the nose of most people as the basis of his views is that individuals are unable to perceive through the 'spectacle', the advertising or marketing and are literally slaves to the commodity process and social climbing mores.

This fails incredibly. I do not know anyone who enjoys the half time shows at the grand final or superbowl as an example of how that isn't true. Another good example, I don't own a television. If I was truly a slave to the marketing process as an individual then I would have one. So his philosophy has limitations.

Hamilton's view is also arrogant in that a 'philosopher king' is required to perceive what is going on and save the masses from the spell of commodification. Fortunately there is no shortage of self-appointed moralizers to undertake these tasks and lobby government to ban all manner of behavior and activity in order to save people from themselves.

I feel free-er already.
More reading: Tags, Don Arthur, Clive Hamilton
Cam Riley: South Sea Republic. Freedom, liberty, equity and an Australian Republic.

Comments
  • Fifteen varieties of organic potato available to today's shoppers? At my Woolies there are four. Washed, not-washed, purpley and chat. And you could argue pretty succesfully that chat are just small washed. I think maybe the stores Clive is engaging in a spot of identity manufacturing in his grocery shopping choices. What kind of store actually has the kind of shelf space available to fritter away on fifteen varieties of potato?