http://curatedmatter.org/tag/philosophy/

“The world exhibitions glorify the exchange value of commodities. They create a framework in which commodities’ intrinsic value is eclipsed. The objects are not desired in themselves, every wish is gone and what remains is pure amusement and excitement. In a contemporary exposition, a country no longer says ‘Look what I produce’ but ‘Look how I am presenting what I produce’.

from “Faith in Fakes, travels in hyperreality” by Umberto Eco, 1975