The McDonaldization of Society from VISIONS OF SOCIETY: The Bureaucratization of Society
Americans' desire for rationality has shaped modern day dining, entertainment, shopping, and other things into their current day forms. A society striving for rationality puts an emphasis on efficiency, predictability, calculability, substitution of nonhuman for human technology, and control over uncertainty. This article focuses on irrational consequences that result from striving for a rationalized world; in other words, the 'irrationality of rationality'.
Fast food restaurants, TV dinners, packaged tours, RV camp grounds, and assembly lines are unprecedentedly popular. They have allowed an optimization of eating, vacationing, and production, offering the convenience and consistency valued by so many Americans today. However, everything is becoming quantified and dehumanized in the process of rationalizing society. Students are rated by their GPA, rather than the quality of student they are. McDonalds advertises how many burgers they have sold instead of the quality of their burgers, and their signature burger is called the 'Big Mac' instead of the 'Good Mac'. Ritzer warns against the acceleration of disadvantageous byproducts of rationalization unless we start exercising greater control over the process.
Ritzer puts too much of an emphasis on the negative results of rationalization. I know that is the point he is trying to make, but he uses some examples that make it difficult to think about the negative affects because you can't help thinking about the advantages. He should make a point to agree that rationalization has its advantages and point out one that is well known or can be easily observed. That would make it seem like he's trying to raise awareness about the negative effects, where as he currently comes off as against rationalization all together.
??Questions??
Do the negative effects of irrationality outweigh the benefits to you personally? (would you be willing to sacrifice the drive through and get up to go into the restaurant every time?)
Do you like the GPA system and do you consider it an accurate way to compare yourself to other students, or is it just a number missing way to many factors that help determine the quality of a student?
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As a possible pre-med, I'm constantly reminded about the importance of maintaining a high GPA. How are you gonna get into Harvard Med School with a 3.5???? However, I don't think GPA can predict one's potential a surgeon or doctor. Because of this, I think dislike the GPA system.
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