Spiraling Consumption

In the 18th century, the French philosopher Denis Diderot received a gift that ruined him: a beautiful, elegant scarlet robe. When he sat in his study wearing it, he suddenly noticed how shabby his old desk looked in comparison. He bought a new desk. Then, the chairs seemed out of place. He bought new chairs. Soon, he had replaced his entire apartment's furnishings, plunging himself into debt simp...