>Isn't it the class signifier component of the Gucci shoe Leigh is objecting
>to
I don't know - you'll have to ask him. I've certainly run into lots of leftists and countercultural types who proudly wear anti-chic clothing on principle.
> rather than the shoe itself? With a bit of practice I could make a
>beautiful and comfortable shoe that could be profitably sold for 1/4 the
>price of the Gucci in most instances.
Right above your comment was this quote from Mandel:
> > "the justified condemnation of the commercialization and
>> dehumanization of consumption by capitalism to attack the historical
>> extension of needs and consumption in general (i.e., moves from
> > social criticism to a critique of civilization)...."
Is it really that hard to grasp this distinction?