The French social theorist Jean-Francois Lyotard described contemporary culture in this way: "One listens to reggae, watches a Western, eats McDonald's food for lunch and local cuisine for dinner, wears Paris perfume in Tokyo and 'retro' clothes in Hong Kong." He was writing about postmodernism, but what concept can help explain this mishmash of activities?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mishmash of activities described in Lyotard's statement can be best explained by the concept of cultural diffusion, which refers to the spread and mixing of different cultural elements and practices across different regions and societies. The example of wearing Paris perfume in Tokyo and 'retro' clothes in Hong Kong shows how cultural elements can be adopted and adapted in different contexts, leading to a mix of local and global cultural practices.

The French Social Theorist Jean-Francois Lyotard Described Contemporary Culture in This