"By exposing the literary motifs of subversion and seduction inherent in these works as disruptive to the flow, circulation, and expansion of value, A Passion for Consumption positions American literary culture as an extension of commodity economics."--BOOK JACKET.

The brilliant creator of NPR's Planet Money podcast and award-winning New Yorker staff writer explains our current economy: laying out its internal logic and revealing the transformative hope it offers for millions of people to thrive as they never have before. Contrary to what you may have heard, the middle class is not dying and robots are not stealing our jobs. In fact, writes Adam Davidson—one of our leading public voices on economic issues—the twenty-first-century economic paradigm offers new ways of making money, fresh paths toward professional fulfillment, and unprecedented opportunities for curious, ambitious individuals to combine the things they love with their careers. Drawing on the stories of average people doing exactly this—an accountant overturning his industry, a sweatshop owner's daughter fighting for better working conditions, an Amish craftsman meeting the technological needs of Amish farmers—as well as the latest academic research, Davidson shows us how the twentieth-century economy of scale has given way in this century to an economy of passion. He makes clear, too, that though the adjustment has brought measures of dislocation, confusion, and even panic, these are most often the result of a lack of understanding. The Passion Economy delineates the ground rules of the new economy, and armed with these, we begin to see how we can succeed in it according to its own terms—intimacy, insight, attention, automation, and, of course, passion. An indispensable road map and a refreshingly optimistic take on our economic future.

In this study, the authors draw from branches of psychology, decision theory, sociology and cultural anthropology to present a diverse selection of critical perspectives on consumer motivation.

Deals with research and scholarship in economic theory. Presents analytical, interpretive, and empirical studies in the areas of monetary theory, fiscal policy, labor economics, planning and development, micro- and macroeconomic theory, international trade and finance, and industrial organization. Also covers interdisciplinary fields such as history of economic thought and social economics.

Does living with a pet really make people happier and healthier? What can we learn from biomedical research with mice? Who enjoys a better quality of life—–the chicken destined for your dinner plate or the rooster in a Saturday night cockfight? Why is it wrong to eat the family dog? Drawing on more than two decades of research into the emerging field of anthrozoology, the science of human–animal relations, Hal Herzog offers an illuminating exploration of the fierce moral conundrums we face every day regarding the creatures with whom we share our world. Alternately poignant, challenging, and laugh-out-loud funny—blending anthropology, behavioral economics, evolutionary psychology, and philosophy—this enlightening and provocative book will forever change the way we look at our relationships with other creatures and, ultimately, how we see ourselves.

Beginning with the earliest, and relatively simple, houses, the author traces changes in food spaces through the years, noting a steady escalation in the number of food-related rooms. Along the way, she considers multiple circumstances that shed light on this evolution, including the role of gender in determining food-space design, the relation of food spaces to nature, and the telling ways in which people and food circulate through kitchens and dining rooms. Because Cromley is interested not only in how designed spaces look but how they are used, she cites a wealth of primary sources: autobiographies, travel journals, household diaries, letters, and inventories, in her exploration of the habits surrounding all aspects of food in the home. --Book Jacket.

Providing new perspectives on the interface between passion and entrepreneurship, this book recognizes that entrepreneurship is not just based on the search for profit. Instead, the entrepreneurial experience incorporates more complex processes, often based on less rational behavior motivated by reasons other than revenue. ‘Passion’ refers both to emotional elements that may fuel an entrepreneurial effort as well as something that feeds the business. The book challenges established views and shows the complexity of the link between passion and entrepreneurship. The authors discuss the main implications for businesses, and explore how passion at the individual and community level influences entrepreneurial efforts. Offering case studies from multiple sectors alongside conceptual frameworks, this edited volume is a useful tool for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers working on entrepreneurship.