Ep. 7 Crime, Fear, and Fashion: Understanding Inconspicuous Consumption in Argentina

In this episode, hosts Dr. Lauren Siegel and Dr. Rami Shamsi welcome Dr. Octavio Murekian to discuss his fascinating research on inconspicuous or low-key consumption. Dr. Murekian explains the concept's origins and its evolution from conspicuous consumption, particularly in the context of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Driven by security concerns, upper middle-class Argentines adopt subtle luxury to avoid being targeted by criminals while still signaling their status. The discussion extends to how rising crime rates globally, including in London, might influence consumer behavior towards more inconspicuous consumption. Dr. Murekian also hints at future research directions, including exploring the psychological impacts of security products marketed as calm-inducing. 00:23 Welcome to the Podcast 00:35 Introducing Dr. Octavio Murekian 00:57 Understanding Inconspicuous Consumption 01:14 Historical Context and Evolution 03:36 Motivation Behind the Research 03:50 Fieldwork Insights from Argentina 04:56 Security Concerns and Consumption 07:57 Personal Experiences and Observations 09:13 Global Perspectives on Security and Consumption 11:00 Broader Implications and Market Response 20:39 Future Research Directions 21:43 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements