Economy of the Imaginary // Symbolic capital thrives in hyperconnected times

Good morning everyone. It's a good weekend, and I bring you a unique opportunity, this form of capital, as Bourdieu theorizes, is not directly convertible into economic wealth, but it plays a crucial role in social stratification and power dynamics. This is not measured in money or physical things, but in stories, meanings, and feelings that move through social networks, digital media, and cultural spaces.
As an economist and communicator, I suggest that the collective imagination a constellation of symbols, myths, and shared emotions is now a strategic asset for brands, social movements, and public policies. The imaginary economy not only understands culture; it creates, sells, and discusses it.

This phenomenon manifests itself in the way products are no longer sold for their physical attributes, but for the stories that surround them. A coffee is more than a drink: it is an art, a moral choice, the signature of a city. Brands spend money on storytelling, emotional design, and symbolic appearances to capture attention and retain customers.

In this case, the brand acts as economic engineering, shaping opinions, actions, and purchasing choices. The imaginary economy requires new ways of measuring; what is the value of shared feelings? How do we measure the symbolic impact of a campaign?

Furthermore, this symbolic logic applies to politics and society. Social movements fight for attention and credibility in the marketplace of meanings. Stories of justice, self-identity, and community connection become tools that gather resources, partnerships, and influence.

In this case, the economist needs to be a semiotician and a narrative strategist, understanding the symbolic flows that traverse society. The economy is no longer limited to the production and distribution of goods; it expands into the production of meaning.

Ultimately, the imaginary economy is a game-changer. It pushes us to reconsider value, strategy, and innovation through cultural and symbolic lenses. I see a future where economic analysis uses anthropology, aesthetics, and psychology to study how value is generated in hyperconnected times, symbolic capital isn't just an extra: it's the driving force of today's economy.