Since the televised debate on «Il va y avoir du sport», on the theme «For or against Mega shopping centers», some expressed their surprise seeing me present the positive aspects of Mega shopping centers. It is rather curious because I have never been moralizing towards consumption; as I write in my blog presentation, «I claim […]

Vous pouvez lire cette chronique en français. In anticipation of my participation in the IL VA Y AVOIR DU SPORT show, I submit a question on the selected theme: FOR OR AGAINST MEGA SHOPPING CENTERS? The show will be broadcasted on Tele-Quebec Friday, March 14 at 7:30 PM, Saturday, March 15 at 2:30 PM and […]

In a chronicle published January 26, 2008 (French only), I reported the results of a mini-survey concerning the criteria deemed to be the most important when purchasing or leasing a vehicle. Clicking here will allow you to see a graph showing the number of responses received for the five assertions I considered the most important, […]

Next to the Hummer, the juggernaut I mentioned in several October and November 2007 columns, the MINI is Lilliputian. How can one not love its friendly face; according to surveys conducted by MINI Canada in 2007, its appearance is the most important factor in the purchase decision. Its remarkable sobriety, thanks to its 1.6 litre […]

In anticipation of my presence on RDI en direct Wednesday, December 26, I perform a mini-quiz on Boxing Day; you may answer up to 6 PM Monday, December 24. I hope many of you will participate. It will be my pleasure to comment on the results with host Louis Lemieux. If you have any comments […]

The existence of a link between a person’s self-image and the image of the vehicle she buys, analyzed in a previous column, shows that the Hummer’s militaristic and aggressive personality fits the image the buyer of this vehicle wants to project. In fact, research conducted by Keith Bradsher at Honda demonstrates that SUV buyers are […]

On Thursday, November 29, I am pleased to be the guest speaker of the « Groupe de recherche en droit international et comparé de la consommation (Gredicc) » (Research Group on International and Comparative Law of consumption). The theme of my conference is « Modes de consommation irresponsables: Comment en est-on arrivé là? » (Irresponsible […]

This morning I had the pleasure of being Louis Lemieux’s guest on « RDI en direct (weekend) » (RDI live week-end edition); it can be viewed on the programme’s website. We have chatted about my recent book « Consommation et luxe – La voie de l’excès et de l’illusion » (Consumption and luxury – The […]

Monopolized by the publication of my book, « Consommation et luxe – La voie de l’excès et de l’illusion » (Consumption and luxury – The path of excess and illusion), planned in the coming days, I will not publish chronicles in the next few weeks; I shall resume in December. To receive word of my […]

The Hummer’s high fuel consumption and concerns for global warming are the main reasons mentioned by critics of this vehicle. Although these factors are not totally unrelated to this negative sentiment, they are not the real reasons; the truth lies elsewhere. What people detest is not its gluttony for fuel, nor really its size, since […]