Arthur Miller: Shopping Salvation
on Monday, October 29, 2018Arthur Miller Money Quote saying that in the past, those who were unhappy did something dramatic to take action – now we go buy something instead. Arthur Miller said:
“The main thing today is — shopping. Years ago a person, he was unhappy, didn’t know what to do with himself — he’d go to church, start a revolution—something. Today you’re unhappy? Can’t figure it out? What is the salvation? Go shopping” — Arthur Miller
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In this quote, Arthur Miller seems to be critiquing a shift in modern society away from more meaningful or impactful activities toward empty consumerism. Some key points:
- He notes that in the present day, the primary recreational activity is “shopping” when in the past people sought fulfillment through religion, social change movements, etc.
- Miller suggests that now when people feel unhappy or lack purpose, the suggested “salvation” or solution is to go shopping and spend money rather than engage with deeper issues or communities.
- He implies that shopping as a cure-all is a superficial replacement for pursuits like spirituality, activism or human connection that provided more intrinsic rewards in previous eras.
Miller appears to believe that an over-emphasis on consumption as a means to find happiness or escape problems represents a cultural decline, where addressing emotional and social issues through shopping is no substitute for past generations’ turn to higher or more impactful callings during difficult times in their lives.