Wendy explores the historical roots of our fascination with frivolous purchases, tracing it back to the emergence of costume jewelry in the late 18th century. She highlights how the influx of cheap, shoddily made goods after the War of 1812 fueled a culture of easy consumption. This tendency to indulge in humorous, low-risk items like plastic vomit reveals deeper insights into our purchasing decisions and the societal acceptance of "crap."
