In these tough economic times, it is important to re-evaluate. Think about whether you really need to spend money on the inessential. Consider all the consequences; not get into debt for no real reason. Deleverage, if I have used the stupid word correctly.

And all this is cool with me. What is less cool is rich people being fucking douchebags about this. Here is a story about how people are now conspicuously not consuming. Which from one perspective, I suppose, could be seen as a beautiful display of community with the commonalty. From another, it could be seen as exactly the same impulse to vainglorious self exposure that prompted the conspicuous flaunting of crystal-encrusted diamond caviar tongs and beds made entirely out of torn up hundred dollar bills.

My favourite quotes:

Harry Slatkin, the founder of Slatkin & Co., a home fragrances company, said he and his wife, Laura, recently canceled a 50th birthday party for her at a Four Seasons hotel. Instead, they plan to have a party at home, with defrosted White Castle cheeseburgers served on silver trays. "It's not time to have splashy birthday parties," Slatkin said. "It's a time to stay home, spend time with friends and connect."

Or this:

He cited a story from an Audi dealer: a buyer of an S4 high-performance sedan requested the nameplate be removed, "so only the person who really knew what they were looking at," he said, "would know what it is."

That's it: let's hit the barricades.