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Spent Spiral-Bound | 2010-05-25

Geoffrey Miller

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A leading evolutionary psychologist probes the unconscious instincts behind American consumer culture

A leading evolutionary psychologist probes the unconscious instincts behind American consumer culture

Illuminating the hidden reasons for why we buy what we do, Spent applies evolutionary psychology to the sensual wonderland of marketing and perceived status that is American consumer culture. Geoffrey Miller starts with the theory that we purchase things to advertise ourselves to others, and then examines other factors that dictate what we spend money on. With humor and insight, Miller analyzes an array of product choices and deciphers what our decisions say about ourselves, giving us access to a new way of understanding-and improving-our behaviors to become happier consumers.

Publisher: Penguin Random House
Original Binding: Trade Paperback
Pages: 384 pages
ISBN-10: 0143117238
Item Weight: 0.8 lbs
Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.4 inches
"Spent will appeal to advertising execs and Naomi Klein fans alike--as well as anyone who's ever bought a suit just for the label."--Timothy Hodler, Details

"It is Geoffrey Miller, Renaissance man, who gives Spent so much of its winning personality, its narrative tang, and its consistent good humor."--Jonathan Gottschall, Seed magazine

"One of the most perceptive and illuminating accounts of marketing and capitalism ever written. Always witty, often surprising, and sometimes shocking, this book is a sheer joy to read."--Dylan Evans, author of Emotion: The Science of Sentiment

Geoffrey Miller is an evolutionary psychologist and author of The Mating Mind. He was educated at Columbia and Stanford and is associate professor of psychology at the University of New Mexico. He lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with his wife, daughter and many products.