Chapter 1

Ritzer says that this book is not about "the consumer" or the growing availability of goods and services. What is it about and how does the rest of the chapter illustrate what he says will be the focus of this book?

What is/are the differences between the concept "means of consumption" and "cathedrals of consumption"?

What does he mean when he says that cathedrals of consumption are "not only enchanted… (but) highly rationalized"?

On pages 11-26 he gives an overview of different ‘means of consumption’. What do these examples have in common? What questions do you think he either raises effectively, or does not sufficiently articulate?

Chapter 2

What are the major reasons for the rise in these new means of consumption and, in particular, for their rise at this time in history?

What does Ritzer mean when he says that hyperconsumption is a highly democratic form of consumption?

What does Ritzer say is the role of cathedrals of consumption in contributing to hyperconsumption? Are they solely responsible for it, only accentuate it, and/or simply reflect it?

How have cathedrals of consumption changed the way that Americans consume? How about the ways that people in other countries consume?

What are the criticisms of how America’s means of consumption have moved into other parts of the world?

Chapter 3

How does Ritzer’s concept of "means of consumption" relate to Marx’s concept of the "means of production"? Why does Ritzer think that his own concept is especially relevant for understanding modern American society?

(Baudrillard was a neo-Marxist who eventually embraced post-modernism.)

In what ways does Ritzer say that the new means of consumption are set up to exploit and control the consumer? Can it be said that consumers are forced to consume as much as they do and in the way that they do?

What concepts from Weber’s theoretical perspective does Ritzer borrow to use in this analysis of contemporary consumer culture?

What does it mean that the world is becoming "disenchanted" (p. 66)? What leads to this disenchantment? Why is it in the interest of merchants and corporations to re-create enchantment?

Be able to summarize Ritzer’s assessment of post-modern social theory. What do you think of it? What does Ritzer think is its usefulness for this book?

Chapter 4

What is the difference between efficiency, calculability and predictability?  Be able to illustrate these differences?  Do you find these to be distinguishable concepts?  Is he convincing and consistent in his distinguishing these concepts?

What do you think of his claim that the principle source of uncertainty and unpredictability is people?  How does this incline employers to eliminate people from production and service processes?

What appear to be the unintended effects of rationalization on people?  (p. 93-95)

Be able to articulate a careful and persuasive paragraph that shows how rationalization produces disenchantment.

In what ways does rationalization itself serve as enchantment?

Chapter 5

Why do the new means of consumption create spectacles?  What does Ritzer mean by ‘spectacles’?

What’s the difference between “spectacle” and “extravaganza” according to Ritzer? Is this distinction necessary for understanding cathedrals of consumption?

How do simulations produce re-enchantment?  Do you find Ritzer’s examples convincing and persuasive?  Why is ‘simulation’ an important thing for us to consider if we are to understand efforts to ‘re-enchant’ consumers?

Chapter 6

What is “implosion”?  How critical is this concept for understanding the new means of consumption and understanding the experiences of consumers within cathedrals of consumption?  Does Ritzer push this concept too far, or use examples you disagree with?

How do we see the issue of implosion exhibited in the compression and blurring of time and space?  How does this produce re-enchantment?  Do you agree that this works as a way of getting consumers to consume?

How does this implosion of time and earnings facilitate more consumption?

In what sense do cathedrals of consumption use time as a spectacle?

What does he mean by ‘extraordinary spaces’?  How does this contribute to the goals of the makers of these cathedrals of consumption?
 

Chapters 7

How does Ritzer defend his conclusion that the new means of consumption are indeed “new”?  What does he admit is not new?

What is the distinction between the “black hole of consumption” analogy and the “consumer archipelago”?  Which of these does Ritzer indicate is a more accurate way to describe modern consumerism and how does he defend his position?

Why does Ritzer question the claim that consumers today are primarily passive spectators?  (p. 186-187)

In what ways does Ritzer think that the new means of consumption are altering, or may alter, the consciousness (“habits of mind”) of consumers?

Do the new means of consumption reinforce or diminish the distinctions between high and low class culture?  Why?

What does Ritzer say is the shortcoming of the economist Juliet Schor’s policy suggestions and how does he show his sociological inclinations when he makes his own policy suggestions?

What did you find persuasive and not persuasive about Ritzer’s comments about how the new means of consumption tend to distinguish (“discriminate”) between (a) racial/ethnic minority and majority groups, (b) social classes, and (c) men and women?  (There is much here to appreciate and to criticize, in my humble opinion.)

What does Ritzer mean when he talks about conspicuous inconspicuousness?  What earlier concepts does this seem to revisit?  Is it a useful theoretical concept?

What does Ritzer believe is the general trajectory of consumerism in America and why does he believe this?  What qualifications does he offer, or offer and dispense with, when discussing these predictions of the future?  Do you have any reasonable alternatives that you would want to suggest for where this process of rationalization, disenchantment, re-enchantment, rationalization, etc. is going?

Having read this book, what difference does or could it make to your “habits of mind” and your behavior?  Is there anything that can collectively be done to alter the anticipated trajectory of consumption in post-modern society?