Postmodernism Critique : Guy Debord’s views

Guy Debord released a book in 1967 and shares an insight on what he calls “spectacle theory”. He believed that the term mass media was too neutral and instead brought out the word spectacle which critiques the media in it’s intent to commodify everything. 

The commodification of everything has led to almost every human 

Debord affirms that spectacle derives its concept from the criticism about mass marketing and the commodification of experience and appearance. He analyzes the link between social alienation, reification, and commodity fetishism in how they are a part of each other. Therefore with the fetishism and the reified spectacle the human experience is degraded and only become subject to the superficial manifestations. The spectacle allows for commodities to rule over the people involved in the market chain. A society of the spectacle generates images and ideas that represent and sell experiences to an audience. Therefore consumption is prompted only due to appearance and consequently, consumers are subservient to the commodities in the same way it has been represented.

Debord critiques of post modernism were rooted in is broader concerns over postmodernism and its dehumanizing effects on consumer culture and the spectacle. It calls for more revolutionary and authentic engagement in society.

• Commodification of Culture: Debord criticized postmodernism for perpetuating the commodification of culture, where art and culture become commodities to be consumed rather than authentic expressions of human creativity.

• Spectacle: He argued that postmodern society is dominated by the "society of the spectacle," where images and representations of reality take precedence over authentic experiences. This leads to a superficial and alienating culture.

• Simulacra: Debord shared concerns with Jean Baudrillard about the proliferation of simulacra—copies without an original—in postmodern culture. He believed that reality itself was being replaced by hyperreal simulations, making it difficult to discern what is real.

• Alienation: Postmodernism, according to Debord, perpetuates alienation by promoting a culture of passive consumption and the pursuit of false desires created by the spectacle. This alienation separates individuals from their true desires and from one another.

• Loss of Authenticity: He argued that postmodern culture erases the authenticity of lived experiences, replacing them with mediated and commodified representations of reality. This contributes to a sense of disillusionment and disconnection.
• Desire for Authenticity: In contrast to postmodernism's embrace of the hyperreal and superficial, Debord advocated for a return to authentic human experiences, genuine interactions, and a rejection of the spectacle-driven culture.