take the drug of conspicuous consumption away, and what's left?

One of my saddest experiences was driving through Mozambique and seeing real poverty - young kids with bellies swollen from kwashiorkor and then going to a bar where only the most expensive Scotch whiskys were on display.

I asked the proprietor how this could be.  He said he had a store room full of cheaper brands which he couldn't sell.  One drink might cost the equivalent of an average month's salary, but only the top brand name was acceptable, so much were they in thrall to western style media and advertising...


"It's a mystery to me - the game commences, For the usual fee - plus expenses, Confidential information - it's in my diary..."