--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our primary identity has become that of…" description: "\"Our primary identity has become that of being consumers – not mothers, teachers, or farmers, but of consumers. We shop and shop and shop.\" — Annie Leonard" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/730/annie-leonard-22395_consumerism_our-primary-identity-has-become-that-of_2393494.png" --- # Our primary identity has become that of being consumers –… ![“Our primary identity has become that of being consumers – not mothers, teachers, or farmers, but of consumers. We shop and shop and shop.” quote by Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/730/annie-leonard-22395_consumerism_our-primary-identity-has-become-that-of_2393494.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/730/annie-leonard-22395_consumerism_our-primary-identity-has-become-that-of_2393494.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/730/annie-leonard-22395_consumerism_our-primary-identity-has-become-that-of_2393494.png) > “Our primary identity has become that of being consumers – not mothers, teachers, or farmers, but of consumers. We shop and shop and shop.” [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Society defines identity by consumption rather than traditional roles, leading to endless buying. **In simple terms:** We see ourselves as consumers. Key Takeaway Shift focus from buying to creating. Themes consumerism identity culture Mood critical concerned Type analytical social commentary When to use this quote - marketing strategies - family dynamics - environmental activism Key Concepts sociology economics Questions to Reflect On - How does consumer culture affect personal values? - What alternatives to consumer identity exist? A Different Perspective Consumer identity can be empowering for some. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consumerism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumerism/) [Consumers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumers/) [Farmers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/farmers/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/) ## Related quotes > [A brand is something that has a clear-cut identity among consumers, which a company creates by sending out a clear, consistent message over a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-knight/a-brand-is-something-that-has-a-clear-cut-identity-among-consumers/) [Phil Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-knight/) > [“even if shopping trips are not planned, most consumers will shop in a habitual fashion. They will predominantly follow a regular route through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-thain/even-if-shopping-trips-are-not-planned-most-consumers-will-shop-in-a/) [Greg Thain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-thain/) > [Never buy what you do not want, because it is cheap; it will be dear to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/never-buy-what-you-do-not-want-because-it-is-cheap-it-will-be-dear-to/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [One of the problems with industrialism is that it's based on the premise of more and more. It has to keep expanding to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dora-russell/one-of-the-problems-with-industrialism-is-that-it-s-based-on-the/) [Dora Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dora-russell/) > [“Logograms pose a more difficult question. An increasing number of persons and institutions, from archy and mehitabel to PostScript and TrueType, come to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bringhurst/logograms-pose-a-more-difficult-question-an-increasing-number-of/) [Robert Bringhurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bringhurst/) > [Just when you thought multi-nationals and crazed consumerism were too big to fight, along comes Naomi Klein with facts, spirit, and news of successful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/just-when-you-thought-multi-nationals-and-crazed-consumerism-were-too/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [“In my view, dissatisfaction is implicit in the fabric of consumerism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-bruno/in-my-view-dissatisfaction-is-implicit-in-the-fabric-of-consumerism/) [Dave Bruno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-bruno/) > [Consumer wants can have bizarre, frivolous, or even immoral origins, and an admirable case can still be made for a society that seeks to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/consumer-wants-can-have-bizarre-frivolous-or-even-immoral-origins-and/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) > [“Fifty years ago, people went without clothes in order to eat. Today, people gladly go without food in order to buy clothes. And they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-dumontais/fifty-years-ago-people-went-without-clothes-in-order-to-eat-today/) Sinclair Dumontais > [America always put forth this phony melting pot theory, but it's a reality now. They couldn't accomplish the melting pot economically; they couldn't accomplish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-means/america-always-put-forth-this-phony-melting-pot-theory-but-it-s-a/) [Russell Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-means/) > [I think that consumerism is intrinsically a pretty flawed social system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-elkington/i-think-that-consumerism-is-intrinsically-a-pretty-flawed-social/) [John Elkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-elkington/) > [A lot of times, my work is looked at very much on the surface. It's very easy to just want to put something in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-koons/a-lot-of-times-my-work-is-looked-at-very-much-on-the-surface-it-s/) [Jeff Koons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-koons/) > [“Salesmanship is usually the art of making it the prospect’s problem, the salesperson’s need or desire to earn money.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/salesmanship-is-usually-the-art-of-making-it-the-prospect-s-problem/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [if we center our lives on BMWs, RVs, VCRs, PCs and the other acronyms of consumerism, we cannot expect our children to do otherwise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnetta-b-cole/if-we-center-our-lives-on-bmws-rvs-vcrs-pcs-and-the-other-acronyms-of/) [Johnnetta B. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnetta-b-cole/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) ## More by Annie Leonard > [There is no such thing as away. When you throw something away, it must go somewhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/there-is-no-such-thing-as-away-when-you-throw-something-away-it-must/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [We're more concerned about climate or economic equality or racial justice or anything else that is good for people and the planet, we simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/we-re-more-concerned-about-climate-or-economic-equality-or-racial/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [We've got to rescue our democracy by using it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/we-ve-got-to-rescue-our-democracy-by-using-it/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [Put simply, if we do not redirect our extraction and production systems and change the way we distribute, consume, and dispose of our stuff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/put-simply-if-we-do-not-redirect-our-extraction-and-production/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [It's crucial we know the facts and science, but it's naïve to rely on them alone to build a movement for change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/it-s-crucial-we-know-the-facts-and-science-but-it-s-na-ve-to-rely-on/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [Between the disillusionment that people feel about politics-as-usual, assaults on the right to vote, and the constant feelings of pressure that Americans suffer in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/between-the-disillusionment-that-people-feel-about-politics-as-usual/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [“Why sit and stare at a box beaming messages indoctrinating us into consumer culture for hours a day when there are so many more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/why-sit-and-stare-at-a-box-beaming-messages-indoctrinating-us-into/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [For decades, I thought that scientific truth, solid economic case studies, and common sense were enough to bring about change on the environmental front.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/for-decades-i-thought-that-scientific-truth-solid-economic-case/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [Solid information is necessary, but insufficient. We also need to present that information in ways that are inspiring and accessible. That's where stories come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/solid-information-is-necessary-but-insufficient-we-also-need-to/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [Right now, American government has stepped back from offering any kinds of protection for human rights and public health. And the fossil fuel industry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/right-now-american-government-has-stepped-back-from-offering-any/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [We depend on this planet to eat, drink, breathe, and live. Figuring out how to keep our life support system running needs to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/we-depend-on-this-planet-to-eat-drink-breathe-and-live-figuring-out/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [You cannot run a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/you-cannot-run-a-linear-system-on-a-finite-planet-indefinitely/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [Turns out, people's brains are not nearly as powerful a motivator as our hearts. Facts, data, and economic models don't move people to courageous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/turns-out-people-s-brains-are-not-nearly-as-powerful-a-motivator-as/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [Recycling is what we do when we're out of options to avoid, repair, or reuse the product first. Firstly: Reduce. Don't buy what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/recycling-is-what-we-do-when-we-re-out-of-options-to-avoid-repair-or/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) > [“I remember when my daughter was just learning her letters. She was playing in her room and came downstairs to ask me, “Momma, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/i-remember-when-my-daughter-was-just-learning-her-letters-she-was/) [Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) [Explore all 27 Annie Leonard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/) ## More Consumerism quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [if we center our lives on BMWs, RVs, VCRs, PCs and the other acronyms of consumerism, we cannot expect our children to do otherwise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnetta-b-cole/if-we-center-our-lives-on-bmws-rvs-vcrs-pcs-and-the-other-acronyms-of/) [Johnnetta B. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnetta-b-cole/) > [“Salesmanship is usually the art of making it the prospect’s problem, the salesperson’s need or desire to earn money.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/salesmanship-is-usually-the-art-of-making-it-the-prospect-s-problem/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [A lot of times, my work is looked at very much on the surface. It's very easy to just want to put something in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-koons/a-lot-of-times-my-work-is-looked-at-very-much-on-the-surface-it-s/) [Jeff Koons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-koons/) > [I think that consumerism is intrinsically a pretty flawed social system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-elkington/i-think-that-consumerism-is-intrinsically-a-pretty-flawed-social/) [John Elkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-elkington/) > [America always put forth this phony melting pot theory, but it's a reality now. They couldn't accomplish the melting pot economically; they couldn't accomplish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-means/america-always-put-forth-this-phony-melting-pot-theory-but-it-s-a/) [Russell Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-means/) > [“Fifty years ago, people went without clothes in order to eat. Today, people gladly go without food in order to buy clothes. And they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-dumontais/fifty-years-ago-people-went-without-clothes-in-order-to-eat-today/) Sinclair Dumontais > [Consumer wants can have bizarre, frivolous, or even immoral origins, and an admirable case can still be made for a society that seeks to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/consumer-wants-can-have-bizarre-frivolous-or-even-immoral-origins-and/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) > [“In my view, dissatisfaction is implicit in the fabric of consumerism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-bruno/in-my-view-dissatisfaction-is-implicit-in-the-fabric-of-consumerism/) [Dave Bruno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-bruno/) > [Just when you thought multi-nationals and crazed consumerism were too big to fight, along comes Naomi Klein with facts, spirit, and news of successful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/just-when-you-thought-multi-nationals-and-crazed-consumerism-were-too/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [“Logograms pose a more difficult question. An increasing number of persons and institutions, from archy and mehitabel to PostScript and TrueType, come to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bringhurst/logograms-pose-a-more-difficult-question-an-increasing-number-of/) [Robert Bringhurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bringhurst/) > [One of the problems with industrialism is that it's based on the premise of more and more. It has to keep expanding to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dora-russell/one-of-the-problems-with-industrialism-is-that-it-s-based-on-the/) [Dora Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dora-russell/) > [Never buy what you do not want, because it is cheap; it will be dear to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/never-buy-what-you-do-not-want-because-it-is-cheap-it-will-be-dear-to/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The pharma pricing system was not built on the idea of consumer engagement. It was built... on market efficiencies. It was not built on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-bresch/the-pharma-pricing-system-was-not-built-on-the-idea-of-consumer/) [Heather Bresch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-bresch/) > [“We consumer and become exactly what we create. In all times.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lidia-yuknavitch/we-consumer-and-become-exactly-what-we-create-in-all-times/) [Lidia Yuknavitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lidia-yuknavitch/) [Browse all 628 Consumerism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumerism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our primary identity has become that of being consumers – not mothers, teachers, or farmers, but of consumers. 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