I’m not anti-consumerism, at all, as there are so many glories of capitalism that can enrich our lives. But I am anti-debt and anti-consumerism when conducted for the sake of just buying crap and/or spending from one’s future savings. The trend, nowadays, toward buying, buying more, collecting, accumulating, hoarding, etc., can be somewhat disturbing.

This is the kind of thing that makes you go “what the _ _ _ _?” A giganta-Foot Locker store, as a recession is creeping in, is placed in a location right on the Detroit-Macomb County border in a very blue-collar, lower-middle-class-to-middle-class community. They are calling it a “power store.” To quote:

It’s our goal at Foot Locker to bring the excitement of sneaker culture to local communities around the world, and that’s what our new Power Store model is all about. We’re focused on creating immersive brand connections that are authentically tied to the neighborhoods they serve; from the local store staff that we hire to the products and experiences we offer.

… The store is home to an activation space that will host regularly-scheduled events and activations for the sneaker-obsessed.

It is said that this store will “serve as a hub for local sneaker culture” (sneaker culture?) and “will host regularly-scheduled events and activations for the sneaker-obsessed” (sneaker obsessed??). This is the essence of individuals hell-bent on high time preferences: living in the here-and-now, obsessing on “stuff,” and sporting logos and brands as an expression of their self-esteem and “success.” These are the people who can’t be deprived of one paycheck without starting a GoFundMe. Unfortunately, it is, and has been, the new American “gotta have it” way – spend, spend, and spend some more.

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