--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I abhor the word \"consumer.\" Consumers…" description: "\"I abhor the word \"consumer.\" Consumers, unlike citizens, have no implicit duties, obligations, or responsibilities to the common good. It's a degrading..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c6/james-howard-kunstler-2886_citizens_i-abhor-the-word-consumer-consumers-unli_2623403.png" --- # I abhor the word "consumer." Consumers, unlike citizens… ![“I abhor the word "consumer." Consumers, unlike citizens, have no implicit duties, obligations, or responsibilities to the common good. It's a degrading term. The use of it degrades the public discussion.” quote by James Howard Kunstler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c6/james-howard-kunstler-2886_citizens_i-abhor-the-word-consumer-consumers-unli_2623403.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c6/james-howard-kunstler-2886_citizens_i-abhor-the-word-consumer-consumers-unli_2623403.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c6/james-howard-kunstler-2886_citizens_i-abhor-the-word-consumer-consumers-unli_2623403.png) > “I abhor the word "consumer." Consumers, unlike citizens, have no implicit duties, obligations, or responsibilities to the common good. It's a degrading term. The use of it degrades the public discussion.” [James Howard Kunstler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howard-kunstler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author argues that calling people “consumers” reduces them to market participants, stripping away civic duties and weakening public discourse. **In simple terms:** Labeling people as consumers erodes civic responsibility. Key Takeaway Use language that emphasizes citizenship. Themes civic responsibility language critique public discourse consumerism Mood critical reflective Type philosophical political When to use this quote - political debates - community meetings - advertising regulation - education curricula Key Concepts identity social contract media influence Questions to Reflect On - What alternative term better captures civic duty? - How does language shape policy attitudes? A Different Perspective Some may view “consumer” as neutral economic term. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens/) [Citizens Implicit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens-implicit-2128905/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Common good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-good/) [Consumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumer/) [Consumer Consumers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumer-consumers-392292/) [Consumers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumers/) [Consumers Unlike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumers-unlike-2128904/) [Degrade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/degrade/) [Degrading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/degrading/) [Discussion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discussion/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Implicit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/implicit/) [Obligation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obligation/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/term/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) ## Related quotes > [Consumers, unlike voters, expect an immediate response to their concerns; and companies, unlike governments, do not have the luxury of a mid-term lull.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noreena-hertz/consumers-unlike-voters-expect-an-immediate-response-to-their/) [Noreena Hertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noreena-hertz/) > [A brand is no longer what we tell the consumer it is it is what consumers tell each other it is. - Scott Cook,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-cook/a-brand-is-no-longer-what-we-tell-the-consumer-it-is-it-is-what/) [Scott Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-cook/) > [“Neoliberalism makes citizens into consumers. 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