Question
Eva Illouz argues in Cold Intimacies: The Rise of Emotional Capitalism that the commercialisation of intimacy has irretrievably changed the romance narrative and/or the ways in which we love and socialize? Discuss.
Detail
Must focus on the arguments proposed by one of the theorists in the required readings. You may also make further reference to the arguments of one of two additional theorists from the required readings. Further research on the topic in question is not required. Do not plagiarize.
Required readings
• Eva Illouz, ‘Romantic Webs', in Cold Intimacies: The Making of Emotional Capitalism, Polity Press, London, 2007, pp. 74-114.
• Ilana Gershon, "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover: Media Ideologies and Idioms of Practice" in The Break-Up 2.0: Disconnecting Over New Media, Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press, 2010, pp. 16-49.