To what extent do we change in relation to society? Surely this is the fundamental question in Sociology and Psychology?

I’m aware of the shift (I presume due to my reaction to the change in economics around me) in my idea of self based on consumption. As an (admittedly late) Baby Boomer I used to delight in the concept of utilitarianism. To have a pair of DMs was to take a basic model and simply to have it as mine (‘the creases are mine; the model is ours’). That was 1981.

Now I desire a limited edition DM. You may have similar, but I need to be different. The socio-economic markings must make mine ‘better’ and enable me to feel I am making a statement about myself: essentially putting you down. That is 2017.

My hope is that my favourite pair is a standard 8-hole boot. This may enable me to argue with Saint Peter when the time comes.