The only remaining primitive society is a paradise.

French philosopher Jean Baudrillard, a critic of consumer culture, globalization and the manufactured nature of reality, died yesterday. His concepts of "hyperreality" and "simulation" inspired the American filmmakers Andy and Larry Wachowski who wrote "The Matrix".

Paradoxically, as the AP comments, Baudrillard was also a tireless enthusiast for the United States:

Deep down, the US, with its space, its technological refinement, its bluff good conscience, even in those spaces which it opens up for simulation, is the only remaining primitive society.

Even more surprisingly he also said:

Santa Barbara is a paradise; Disneyland is a paradise; the U.S. is a paradise. Paradise is just paradise. Mournful, monotonous, and superficial though it may be, it is paradise. There is no other.

Definitely a post-modernist, wasn't he?