Mobile Phone: A Conspicuous Consumption?

Filed in archive Mobile Society , Mobile Technologies on April 18, 2007

This interesting video from ABC News' Sign of the Times reflects the role of mobile phones in measuring wealth and bragging our social status in this ecosystem. After all what's the use of money if you can't show it, right? It also offers a glimpse on the person's personality, level of income, inclination to technology, and even level of insecurity.

I suppose the mobile phone industry has reached a level defined by renowned sociologist Thorstein Veblen as Conspicuous Consumption or lavish spending. A level where fashion outweighs function!

A recent report from Reuters highlights the 7 most expensive cellphones in the market today:

1. GoldVish Le Million - $1.3 Million
2. Bucheron for Vertu Cobra - $310,000
3. Vertu Signature - $81,000
4. Gresso Black Aura Collection - $13,000
5. Mobiado Professional EM - $2,200
6. prada Phone by LG - $780
7. Apple iPhone - $600