At the start of the 21st century the self is just another commodity

At the start of the 21st century the self is just another commodity
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Jean Baudrillard and Christopher Lasch are guests on The Trend, on Channel 99. Host Shelly Norris has invited the two leading thinkers to address the issue of the increasing dissatisfaction of the American people despite the economic growth that Americans have witnessed over the years.
Shelly: Good morning and welcome to our show today. In the studio, I have amazing guests, who have often been described as leading thinkers. Jean Baudrillard is a sociologist, philosopher, and cultural theorist who has been instrumental in the analysis of the media, contemporary culture, and technological communication. He has written on diverse subjects and has leading works being studied all over the world. Baudrillard’s work has been associated with post-structuralism. On the other end, we have Christopher Lasch, a historian, moralist, and social critic. Lasch often uses history to awaken American society on the contribution of major institutions in eroding the independence of families and communities. He believes that through his efforts, Americans would become aware of the adverse effects society has experienced as a result of rampant materialism and proletarianization. Gentlemen welcome to the show.
Baudrillard: Thank you Shelly for having me.
Lasch: I am grateful for the invitation. I know we are going to have an informative session today.
Shelly: Today we shall be considering an issue that has
Shelly: Let me start with you, Baudrillard. What is your view on consumption, in the context of American society and the developed world in general?
Baudrillard: Well Shelly, much can be said of the way Americans have embraced the culture of consumerism. Allow me to bring to your attention that of the idea that everything in the world is a simulation of reality (Baudrillard, 1981a). The simulation is completed through the production as well as consumption of products. As we produce and consume goods, all the processes involved constitute our language. In other words, consumption is such that what we purchase is not merely a product, rather a piece of language that creates a sense of who we are (Baudrillard, 1983). What we purchase reflects who we are, and ultimately our inner desires.
Shelly: So do you support Marx in the definition of an object?
Baudrillard: Not at all. My view of an object is quite different from that of Marx. Marx sees an object as having a natural use-value. Such an object has exchanges value and it is capable of being exchanged for money. However, Marx fails to consider the symbolic and semiotic aspects of an object. My approach considers an object from both perspectives. In this regard, I consider the semiotic aspect of an object, i.e. the meaning of an object. I, therefore, look at an object as having a sign-value. In other words, while Marx looks at objects in terms of utility and value, I consider objects to have a value that originates from sign or simulation (Baudrillard, 1988).
Shelly: For the sake of a layperson in this area, kindly simplify the concept of use-value and sign-value and how they relate to consumerism.
Baudrillard: The use-value signifies that ...