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Most folk have heard the phrase Conspicuous Consumption and some know that Thorstein Veblen coined the phase in his classic work in Economics, The Theory of the Leisure Class.
Veblen's economic orientation is that economic behavior is an ongoing evolutionary process based in society and institutions, rather than, as neoclassic economists see it, on individual behavior. Veblen sees the driving forces for this evolutionary process as human instinct (particularly predation), family systems, workmanship, and curiosity.
Predation, the strong preying upon the weak, is a powerful component of Conspicuous Consumption and Conspicuous Leisure. Veblen traces this practice from the early days of Tribal Barbarism, as he refers to it, to the present Western Culture.
What few realize, unless they've actually read Veblen, is that his concept of Conspicuous Waste, as practiced by the Leisure Class, is as insidious and prevalent as that of Conspicuous Consumption. This is not particularly pretty to look at, thus has not gained the prominence within the Culture as has Conspicuous Consumption.
Veblen refers to all Western Religions as "anthropomorphic cults", particularly as they become more institutionalized. By in large, these anthropomorphic cults tend to fall within the Leisure Class side of things, thus tend to practice both Conspicuous Consumption and Conspicuous Waste.
We are not yet sure if the 501(c)3 tax structure of these anthropomorphic cults may be effected by the degree of Conspicuous Consumption and Conspicuous Waste practiced by these anthropomorphic cults - but Assertive Atheist Moments intends to pursue this issue.
More information about this good cause, of dealing with Conspicuous Waste, by the anthropomorphic cults vis-a-vis 501(c)3 tax exempt status, may be found on the Site Blog. Feel free to send us information by email through the Contact Us page. This is currently a work in progress. You may follow this progress on the Waste Projects menu selection above and on the Site Blog.