THE QUESTION (Part A and Part B): In his last chapter, Kevin Reilly makes some important points about a world where the economic system is no longer based primarily on "production," as during the industrial revolution and its aftermath, but on "consumption."  In fact, statistics point out that 2/3 of the world's economy is based on consumption.  And much of this consumption is defined in the cultural terms of "Americanism," of the expansion originally U.S.-based businesses (McDonald's, Apple, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, etc.) and popular culture (Hollywood, the music industry, etc.).  As a result, Reilly argues that this transformation has given rise to a new view of the human, since a critical number of humans on the planet now view themselves primarily as "consumers."  Part A)  According to Reilly, what are some of the "positives" and "negatives" of this new view of ourselves as primarily "consumers" or "purchasers of material goods" (also known as the "consumer-ethic").  Be sure to give examples from the text. Part B)  What is your opinion of Reilly's overall argument?  Why?  Please elaborate.