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Glamour cannot exist without personal social envy being a common and widespread emotion. The industrial society ... recognises nothing except the power to acquire ... No other kind of hope or satisfaction or pleasure can any longer be envisaged within the culture of capitalism.
John Berger
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that glamour and societal values are intertwined with envy and capitalism, indicating that our desires are shaped by the standards of wealth and acquisition.

John Berger's quote critiques the capitalist culture, emphasizing that glamour—a construct of beauty and desirability—thrives on envy among people. In an industrial society, the pursuit of wealth becomes the primary source of hope and pleasure, overshadowing other potential avenues for fulfillment and pushing aside the notion of satisfaction derived from non-material aspects of life.

Themes

GlamourEnvyCapitalismSocietyWealthPower

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about consumer culture, one could reference this quote to highlight the role of envy in driving societal values.

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