The Shift in Alienation Perception

The perception of alienation has evolved, particularly since the 1960s, when individuals began to identify more as consumers than as producers. This shift in identity led to a diminished awareness of one's alienation within a consumer-driven society. For instance, a powerful scene from the film 'The Hurt Locker' illustrates this, where a soldier struggles to choose a cereal in a store, showcasing his disorientation and the broader alienation people experience in mundane consumer choices. In modern life, many become so engulfed in consumer culture that they fail to recognize their own alienation.