--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: According to the International Institute…" description: "\"According to the International Institute for Environment and Development, the annual amount spent globally on advertising aimed at increasing consumpti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/929/jacques-ellul-4407_absurd_according-to-the-international-institute_1833385.jpg" --- # According to the International Institute for Environment… ![“According to the International Institute for Environment and Development, the annual amount spent globally on advertising aimed at increasing consumption topped $430 billion in 1998.Consumer capitalism is dedicated to the proposition that production is good in itself, no matter what is produced…” quote by Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/929/jacques-ellul-4407_absurd_according-to-the-international-institute_1833385.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/929/jacques-ellul-4407_absurd_according-to-the-international-institute_1833385.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/929/jacques-ellul-4407_absurd_according-to-the-international-institute_1833385.jpg) > “According to the International Institute for Environment and Development, the annual amount spent globally on advertising aimed at increasing consumption topped $430 billion in 1998.Consumer capitalism is dedicated to the proposition that production is good in itself, no matter what is produced. The net effect is the massive production of absurd, empty and useless items which are nevertheless utterly serious since we earn our living from them, and dedicate our leisure time to them.” [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Consumer capitalism treats production as inherently valuable, leading to wasteful, meaningless goods that dominate economies and leisure. **In simple terms:** Production is prized over usefulness, creating waste. Key Takeaway Question the value of what you consume. Themes consumerism capitalism environment meaninglessness Mood concerned analytical Type thoughtful inquisitive When to use this quote - shopping habits - advertising strategies - policy making - personal budgeting Key Concepts economics ecology social critique Questions to Reflect On - What products truly add value to your life? - How can you reduce reliance on unnecessary consumption? A Different Perspective The view may overlook beneficial innovations from production. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absurd/) [Advertising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advertising/) [Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) [Consumers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumers/) [Consumption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumption/) [Dedicated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dedicated/) [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Leisure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leisure/) [Leisure time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leisure-time/) [Marketing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marketing/) ## Related quotes > [One of the most powerful insights in economics is this idea of a division of labor. You do the thing you're good at. 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