The Commodity as Spectacle

Guy Debord in his book Society of the Spectacle strives to differentiate and at the same time point out interrelationship between economy, commodity and spectacle.   In his opinion commodity and spectacle that are taking over the society created by the economy.   The economy that initially meant to be augmented to improve people’s lives, eventually created the wicked circle of commodity and spectacle in a way that does not create economically stable society rather enlargers existing problem.

The author explains that spectacle is an entity that has “all the fluid aspects of human activity so as to posses them in a congealed form.” (Ch2-35, GD)  The spectacle becomes the inverted version of society’s life.  It mirrors society’s activities so that it becomes attractive for society that recognizes them selves in that spectacle.  While the spectacle becomes attractive to society, commodity takes place that society cannot resist.

The commodity is “the domination of society by “intangible as well as tangible things.””  (Ch2-36, GD)  Society develops desire for commodity as a result of spectacle.  “The spectacle is a permanent opium was designed to force people to equate goods with commodities and to equate satisfaction with a survival.” (Ch2-44, GD)  Spectacle in author’s opinion acts as a trigger for society to see them selves from a side and believe in necessity of the commodity.   The spectacle skews the vision of the commodity.

Furthermore, Guy Debord ties commodity and spectacle to the economy.  He explains the misconception of improving the economy by creating more jobs that create more goods for society to consume.   “Consumable survival must constantly expand because it never ceased to include privation.” (Ch2-44, GD)   In his opinion it does not eliminates the issues rather enlarges and takes them to another level.

Guy Debord explicates on issues that are still contemporary and exist.  The contemporary society is overtaken by consumerism.  Consumerism or commodity is direct link to money.  Hence, spectacle that triggers people into believing in necessity of the commodity also a force for people to want to have or make more money in order to spend it on their commodities.  Indeed, such an involvement of the society and money belittles our society as well as criticizes the intellectual level of it.