Having posted about J G Ballard on Thursday (here), I was struck to find this quotation from his novel Millenium People, posted at Ideas Bazaar:
Tourism is the great soporific. It's a huge confidence trick and gives people the dangerous idea that there's something interesting in their lives. It's musical chairs in reverse. Every time the muzak stops people stand up and dance around the world, and more chairs are added to the circle, more marinas, more Marriott hotels, so everyone thinks they're winning.It's a con. Today's tourist goes nowhere. All the upgrades in existence lead to the same airports and resort hotels, the same pina colada bullshit. The tourists smile at their tans and their shiny teeth and think they're happy. But the suntans hide who they really are - salary slaves, with heads full of American rubbish. Travel is the last fantasy the 20th Century left us, the delusion that going somewhere helps you reinvent yourself.
There's nowhere to go. The planet is full. You might as well stay at home and spend the money on chocolate fudge.
