Borgmann extends the concept of hyperactivity to society as a whole, and defines it as "a state of mobilization where the richness and variety of social and cultural pursuits, and the natural pace of daily life, have been suspended to serve a higher, urgent cause" (p. 14). Christopher Lasch sees this as a kind of militarization of society – "the suspension of civility, the rule of the vanguard, and the subordination of civilians."
Borgmann expands the concept of hyperactivity to encompass society at large, describing it as a state where social and cultural pursuits are suspended in favor of a higher, urgent cause. Christopher Lasch views this as a form of militarization, characterized by the suppression of civility, the dominance of a vanguard group, and the subjugation of ordinary citizens.