Business Management

  Scrolling through Instagram, I came across a reseller’s post that perfectly encapsulates today’s consumer culture. The image (above) shows a room  overflowing  with shopping bags from TJ Maxx and Marshalls, a haul from a single reseller who spent  over $10,000 in three days , hitting  30+ stores  during a clearance event. The post enthusiastically encourages others to jump on the deal, framing shopping as a  strategic game of accumulation  rather than necessity. Yes, We Live in a Consumer Culture—And Here’s Why This post highlights the  fundamental principles of consumerism : ✔  Endless pursuit of goods  – The reseller isn’t shopping out of necessity but to fuel the cycle of buying and reselling. ✔  Scarcity mindset & urgency  – The emphasis on “limited-time deals” keeps people in a perpetual loop of consumption. ✔  The commodification of everything  – Clothing isn’t about personal style or utility; it’s a ...

  Updating Hackley’s Argument for the Age of Big Data & Algorithmic Culture Hackley’s notion of  marketing as a means of priming culture  aligns well with the rise of  big data and algorithmic culture , where marketing is no longer just about shaping culture through media, but about  constantly adapting to and predicting consumer behavior  based on data-driven insights. In this era, companies use algorithms to  personalize marketing efforts in real-time , making marketing not just a response to culture but a  proactive force in shaping it . Rather than simply influencing cultural discourse through branding and messaging,  marketing today operates as an invisible force  embedded in digital interactions—using predictive analytics, recommendation engines, and personalized content feeds to mold consumer experiences. In this way, marketing doesn’t just prime culture  externally  through campaigns but  internally  by cu...

Until recently,  it had not occurred to me to consider  consumer behavior and buyer behavior as different things  —after all, aren’t they both about how people spend their money? But after digging deeper, I realized there’s a  big distinction  that changes how we understand marketing, branding, and even our own purchasing decisions.  Buyer behavior  focuses on the  decision-making process of purchasing —who buys, when, how, and why. It’s about  transactions , like a parent purchasing toys for their child or a company buying office supplies. The buyer isn’t always the end user.  Consumer behavior , on the other hand, is  broader —it examines how people  use, interact with, and feel about products or services . It’s about  experience, emotions, and brand relationships , not just purchases. Think of how someone chooses a smartphone, engages with its features, and ultimately  decides whether to stay loyal to the brand ...