Hardly a week passes without some topic in this book making the news - advertising to children; GM contamination and so on and so on.

Those readers steeped in Postmodernism will be left wondering what all the fuss is about. For those of Socialist leanings will be annoyed - Capitalism is not yet some antiquated system. The rest will find much here to identify with and a lot less to disagree with.

Boyle is aware that 'authenticity' can be replaced with a whole list of alternatives: "meaningful", "homespun" and so on. His solution is on equally dodgy footing - the "new realism".

I so want Boyle to factor in class struggle, inequality or even explore what might happen when we wash our hands of failing politics altogether. Instead he takes up much of the book with signs; So anyone familiar with Jean Baudrillard's concepts will be left disappointed.

On a positive note; there are several signposts here to other social commentators and it is a fine appraisal of the ailments afflicting, especially Britain, though not solely, the modern world. Thankfully supported by a through, helpful index.

The idea of humanity shying away from technical and artificial things is hardly new, but Boyle explains and articulates his theories on natural and ‘unspun’ ways of life with hearty enthusiasm. ( )

http://culturalsnow.blogspot.com/2006... ( )