social online consumption

Shopping on the internet has apparently exploded recently, even for the luxury brands, to whom the exclusive, and so-very-special shopping experiences are vital (ref. article in Norwegian).
Another, and possibly even greater tendency, however, is shopping combined with social networking. I am wondering if this is the slow revelation of what we are really looking for: not more things, but to get in touch with people, friends.

I have very briefly looked at three sites:

Fun business idea and attractive looking, Rasba promises to “combine shopping and social networking with all things hip (…) designed for both discovering and promoting new brands.” Social network and shopping that  in combination reinforces how you see yourself (your self-generated profile outwards) with what you spend on: a sort of i-am-what-i-shop principle.
“When you buy stuff on Rasba, you can display the purchased items on your profile page and earn a commission if someone buys through your page. You can also create a wish list, get updates on what your friends are buying, and discover cool products…”
I am guessing that this isn’t a one-off, but rather a new(?) trend on the net. One may question though, whether this isn’t exactly the kind of trend we can’t afford to spend our planet on?

“Etsy is an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade. Our mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers. Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade.”
There seems to be traces of a wish to be sustainable at the back. Handmade at least saves underpaid child labour, and there is the slow, loving production aspect of it. Link to Etzy.

allconsuming is “(…) a website where you can track and talk about the books, music, movies, food and other items that interest you. You can mark a product one of three ways: I am consuming this, I have consumed this, and I intend to consume this.”
What I find great abut this one is that books, food, drink and music somehow don’t represent “evil” consumption. Somehow, they represent slow, social and intangible experiences.

Handlefri.no

Handlefri (freely translated to “pause the shopping”)was a national one-week campaign leading up to the Norwegian Buy Nothing Day of 2006. Six “fake” ads were shown on various TV channels, the two included here are the most humorous ones, reflecting on truths of our consumption enhanced by strong but fair exaggeration.

‘Glow’ and ‘Shine’ (under, left) uses the visual language of cosmetics but is harshly critical of how it cherishes ignorance and selfishness; “the world is not your responsibility, your skin is”.

The more sentimental ‘Dreaming of Christmas’ (above, right) and ‘Backward Shopping’ are reminders of how horribly stressful shopping can be, and how lovely its non-materialistic, social alternatives are.
The films are well and convincingly made, instantly seductive yet serious once they’ve got your attention. Still they leave a smile on your face.