Welcome to fast food nation … and an interesting comparison to online degrees. Here the Journal Star out of Lincoln, Nebraska …
The fast food philosophy, he said, has also changed other societies as America has exported it to places like Paris and Rome, where the culture has traditionally valued the savoring of long, inefficient meals.
Furthermore, the efficiency, calculability, predictability and nonhuman technology of Ritzer's McDonaldization theory have spread to a variety of other industries, not just more upscale restaurant chains but also so-called megachurches, hotel and motel chains, clothing stores, weight loss centers, bookstores, hair salons, oil change and Auto repair centers, tax preparation services, pharmacies, campgrounds, coffee shops - you name it.
Ritzer offers the "almost pure example" of online universities as one that's easy to understand:
It's more efficient to earn a degree while sitting at a home than to commute to campus, just as it's more efficient to drive-through than to prepare a meal at home or even get out of the car.
In an online university, everything is quantified, from what assignments must be completed to the grade received, just as production in fast food establishments emphasizes the products' size and cost and the time it takes to get them.Luckily, McDonaldization hasn't gone as far as fashion yet …

Top Online Colleges
![]() |
Kaplan University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Kaplan University is a dynamic institution that offers accredited, online degrees to students seeking to jump start a new career. Kaplan University makes it easy for students to get the college degree that they want.
|
![]() |
Ashford University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Ashford University has a rich tradition of online educational excellence. This excellence is shown in the quality of each class that every student receives.
|
![]() |
University of Phoenix - Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, & Doctoral Degrees. University of Phoenix shows each student how easy and convenient it is to earn your college degree through their distance learning program. Students can choose to learn at home or from a campus location near you.
|
![]() |
Liberty University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. At Liberty University, students educational goals and needs are met by an outstanding faculty and support staff. Any adult learner looking to go back to school will be pleased with the course offerings available at Liberty University.
|
![]() |
American InterContinental University Online - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. At American InterContinental University, every individual has an opporunity to receive an excellent college degree and the ability to maximize their human potential. American InterContinental University allows you to pick a time and place that fits your schedule.
|
![]() |
DeVry University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Students who attend DeVry University are welcomed with an outstanding faculty who put each students needs and dreams first. DeVry University is an accredited university that offers affordable degrees.
|
![]() |
Everest University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Everest University is committed to the on-going commitment of providing each student with a high-quality, low-cost online education. Everest University has a well rounded faculty with real world experience.
|
![]() |
Westwood College - Associate's & Bachelor's Degrees. Westwood College uses a student-centric approach to its educational curriculum and each student benefits from this ideal. Westwood College is an accredited university with degrees in high-growth industries.
|
Did you enjoy this article?








