Challenging and Remedying: The Impact of Online Cultural Consumerism on Aesthetic Education in Vocational Colleges

Online cultural consumerism is a social trend shaped by the interplay of capitalist logic and aesthetic consumption logic, profoundly influencing the aesthetic concepts and spiritual world-building of vocational college students. Theoretical analysis reveals that Online cultural consumerism impacts vocational college students’ aesthetic education in multiple ways. On one hand, it develops students’ aesthetic sensory abilities in a one-sided manner while diminishing their aesthetic cognitive abilities; on the other hand, it weakens their aesthetic judgment and undermines their aesthetic creativity. Therefore, grounded in the critical perspectives of capital critique and aesthetic consumption critique, the research analyzes that these negative impacts primarily stem from the following points: First, consumerism simplifies aesthetics into mere consumption choices and pursues profit through traffic metrics. Second, online dissemination creates information silos. Third, herd mentality leads students to be drawn to lowbrow culture. This must be addressed from multiple angles—including value-based guidance, social oversight and governance, and educational direction—to enhance students’ aesthetic judgment and creativity, thereby supporting their comprehensive and free development.

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