The Substance of Style: How the Rise of Aesthetic Value Is Remaking Commerce, Culture, and Consciousness - Virginia Postrel

In today's world, making things look good is a growth industry, whether it's sleek leather pants, a shiny new Apple computer, or a toaster. In this penetrating New York Times Notable Book, Postrel shows that the allure of look and feel is both strong and disquieting. n nWhether it's sleek leather pants, a shiny new Apple computer, or a designer toaster, we make important decisions as consumers every day based on our sensory experience. Sensory appeals are everywhere, and they are intensifying, radically changing how Americans live and work. The twenty-first century has become the age of aesthetics, and whether we realize it or not, this influence has taken over the marketplace, and much more.n nIn this penetrating, keenly observed book, Virginia Postrel makes the argument that appearance counts, that aesthetic value is real. Drawing from fields as diverse as fashion, real estate, politics, design, and economics, Postrel deftly chronicles our culture's aesthetic imperative and argues persuasively that it is a vital component of a healthy, forward-looking society.n nIntelligent, incisive, and thought-provoking, The Substance of Style is a groundbreaking portrait of the democratization of taste and a brilliant examination of the way we live now.n