George Ritzer Ajun Appadurai Anthony Giddens

Hyperconsumption may be one of the key word of George Ritzer's post- modern theory. In order to survive, we must consume because the society surrounds us with the most different forms of consumption structures and convinces us to spend money on leisure. The main difference between the new structural forms and the old ones is that the present day forms tend to become rather hyperreal and rely excessively on simulations, signs, etc. with the intention of selling out their product or service.

However true, in my opinion, in order to survive we must ensure that the hyperreal world where time and space seem to belong elsewhere, does not steal us away completely. The world we live in is quite real and there are real things that can still be enjoyed. The hyperreal world does not have all the benefices of real life. Ajun Appadurai choses to discuss globalization and its implications. Though the subject is not uncommon in a period of growing international and global flows, it brings something new.

In his opinion, globalization "produces violent forms of difference and separation". All these would occur, in his opinion, because of the threats to national identities that globalization would imply. In my opinion, this is not necessarily true. One should be able to live in a global world and still retain national characteristics and structures. It is not that difficult to live in a global world, one you are able to perceive the fact that globalization actually brings something extra, without actually taking much away from what is already there.

As for Giddens, perhaps his assertion that "we are not in a post-modern era,, but in a period of late modernity" is essential here. In this sense, it is the renouncement of tradition that characterizes this late modernity. However, we all have traditions we tend to cling to throughout our life and that make our existence have certain coordinating points. Giving up on these will mean, perhaps, losing things that.