Rome: Experiencing the Experience Economy

In Tuesday's New York Times, David Brooks' column on "The Experience Economy" wisely pointed out that the American economy has evolved from materalist to postmaterialist. In the past, wealth and living standards were highly correlated, and now, Facebook, Twitter, and eBay have created entertainment options that are free to consume. Purchase patterns have certainly evolved as well - Brooks mentions daring and exciting vacations. I for one have adopted to the experience economy: since memories appreciate and material things depreciate, I'm buying experiences.

This past week, I have been gawking at the sights of the Eternal City, as the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the treasures of the Vatican appear before my eyes. I am reminded of Mark Twain's book, The Innocents Abroad, describing his five-month cruise through Europe and the Holy Land. He humorously describes the splendor of Rome, the fatigue that inevitably arrives with long-term travel, along with the group dynamics of a tour with the elites of American society.

When Twain's book was published in 1869, the vast majority of Americans could only dream of taking such a vacation. The financial cost of travel, the quarantines enforced by various countries, and the lack of tourist information available meant that even the upper echelons of society did not travel abroad - on the cruise that Twain joined, it was the first time abroad for most of the passengers. And now, thanks to budget airlines, hostels, the internet, and a relatively peaceful world, the experience of travel has been opened to mass tourism.

Needless to say, it's great to be able to travel. But what's been different about this week is the experience of joining my fellow countrymen in stampeding into the top dream vacation country for Americans. Throughout Italy, there is no avoiding the sounds of Americans falling in love with what Italy has to offer. It's a feeling that is, in a sense, mysterious to me - although Italy is a fantastic country to visit, I'm not convinced that it justifies an American stampede when the world is filled with countless other worthy vacation destinations where the American accent is rarely heard.

Perhaps it's our celebrity-driven culture, where the bandwagon effect produces celebrities for the masses to scrutinize and worship. Italy seems to be the big star.