Place vs. Non-Place Culture

http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/25/magazines/fortune/charity1.fortune/index.htm
“Warren gives away his fortune”: By Carol J. Loomis, FORTUNE editor-at-large
June 25 2006: 3:08 PM EDT

Auge’s idea of “non-places” is a concept not easily grasped. Honestly, I am not sure that I have even come close to what he is addressing. From what I can understand Auge has addressed the detachment of humanity in accordance with his surroundings to the point that we, as a community, have created a physical place that is dedicated to nonconnectedness. To some extent it would be naïve to say that we are far from this point. However, I disagree that collectively and internationally we have come together as if in a conference and decided where these places are and will be located.
Most importantly, if this theory is analyzed from a purely economic stand point Auge would say, for example, something along the lines that a city such as Tokyo is a city dedicated to commerce. By commerce I mean that Tokyo is a center in which people go there not to gape at the culture surrounding them, but rather a city that is focused on the economic business transactions of the world via stock exchange, importing, exporting, e-commerce, and other such examples. Although to some extent this may be true I do not believe that it is entirely a “non-place” because the very interaction of peoples within the constantly moving business metropolis of Tokyo, the people have created a place within a place by creating a new form of culture and physical awareness. Not the physical awareness of geography or demographics but a culture of numbers and statistics. There are men such as Warren Buffet and Bill Gates who have dedicated their lives to this culture and have become respected for it.
The article that I have linked may not directly correlate with Auge’s ideals, but it does highlight the great impact of a successful culture of numbers and connection to the community, i.e. creating the connectedness that we do sustain. Warren Buffet is one of the most if not the richest man in the world. Over many years Mr. Buffet learned the culture, traditions, and habits of the realms of numbers and statistics. In doing so he has become outstandingly successful and in so doing with the coming of his old age he has decided to bequeath his financial greatness to the very society that founded the culture in which he thrived. This is not merely an act of humanity and compassion, but a response and what he feels is an obligation that connects his fast paced world of money to all of his neighbors. With this connection immediately a place has been created not just with one man, but with an entire community.