The Invisible Hand

In 1979, Christopher Lasch wrote a most intriguing book entitled The Culture of Narcissism: American Life in an Age of Diminishing Expectations. I started reading the book a few months back but got sidetracked with other interests. I intend to pick it up again because of its enormous relevancy to understanding our narcissistic culture. Nevertheless, Lasch provides a pertinent quote in regards to what I call the "invisible hand" of the mass media upon the lives of peoples. Lasch states, "The mass media, with the cult of celebrity and their attempt to surround it with glamour and excitement, have made Americans a nation of fans, moviegoers. The media give substance to and thus intensify narcissistic dreams of fame and glory, encourage the common man to identify himself with the stars and to hate the "herd," and make it more and more difficult for him to accept the banality of everyday existence."