TY  - BOOK
AU  - Baudrillard,Jean
TI  - The system of objects
T2  - Latin American and Iberian studies series
SN  - 1859849431
AV  - BF778 .B313 1996
U1  - 306.46 21
PY  - 1996///]
CY  - London, New York
PB  - Verso
KW  - Values
KW  - Psychological aspects
KW  - Object (Philosophy)
KW  - Technology and civilization
KW  - Consumption (Economics)
N1  - Includes index; A. The Functional System, or Objective Discourse. I. Structures of Interior Design. II. Structures of Atmosphere. III. Conclusion: Naturalness and Functionality -- Addendum: The Domestic World and the Car -- B. The Non-Functional System, or Subjective Discourse. I. Marginal Objects: Antiques. II. A Marginal System: Collecting -- C. The Metafunctional and Dysfunctional System: Gadgets and Robots -- D. The Socio-Ideological System of Objects and Their Consumption. I. Models and Series. II. Credit. III. Advertising -- Conclusion: Towards a Definition of 'Consumption' -- --; Translator's Acknowledgements --; Introduction --; A; The Functional System, or Objective Discourse --; I; Structures of Interior Design --; II; Structures of Atmosphere --; III; Conclusion: Naturalness and Functionality --; Addendum: The Domestic World and the Car --; B; The Non-Functional System, or Subjective Discourse --; I; Marginal Objects: Antiques --; II; A Marginal System: Collecting --; C; The Metafunctional and Dysfunctional System: Gadgets and Robots --; D; The Socio-Ideological System of Objects and Their Consumption --; I; Models and Series --; II; Credit --; III; Advertising --; Conclusion: Towards a Definition of 'Consumption'
N2  - Pressing Freudian and Saussurean categories into the service of a basically Marxist perspective, The System of Objects offers a cultural critique of the commodity in consumer society. Baudrillard classifies the everyday objects of the 'new technical order' as functional, nonfunctional and metafunctional. He contrasts 'modern' and 'traditional' functional objects, subjecting home furnishing and interior design to a celebrated semiological analysis. His treatment of nonfunctional or 'marginal' objects focuses on antiques and the psychology of collecting, while the metafunctional category extends to the useless, the aberrant and even the 'schizofunctional'. Finally, Baudrillard deals at length with the implications of credit and advertising for the commodification of everyday life
ER  -