Response to Two Cheers for Materialsim

Twitchell makes an interesting point in his essay "Two Cheers for Materialism," in stating that the things we buy serve as a means to define ourselves to others. Take for instance musical tastes. My favorite band is the Beatles. If for instance I had only purchased (in a displayable form) their first two albums, I would be considered a fan of their early music. I could very well have listened to their entire catalog, but by owning only two albums I have been placed in a very specific demographic. If all I had in terms of music was Beatles albums, I would be considered a very big fan of the Beatles, but in turn if I had the discography of twenty other bands, I would be a music fan who likes the Beatles. Right now in my room I have four posters of the Beatles and and identified by this trait. I am the guy who likes the Beatles, while back home I was the guy who liked video games. I still have the same games I did at home, and talk about them just as much, but the Beatles take up more physical room in my living space, and have essentially won a battle over my personality. I have effectively bought my way into being recognized as a fan of the Beatles' music.