The liberation provided by the consumerism imminent in American life is an illusion. Not in the sense that it does not exist—the products that we as Americans have invented and manufactured have “liberated” us in the sense that our horizons have expanded. We can get on an airplane and fly to a remote island. But once we arrive, we find ourselves still immersed in the comforts of consumerism, and on lands controlled by the limiting influence of the same government. And everything from industrially grown beef to mass-produced cars flows through the umbilical cord of comfort that is never severed during our modern lives. People can venture into the wilderness in futile attempt to shun the influence of consumerism, but it always remains attached. A backcountry skier might imagine himself removed from society—he is after all on top of a secluded mountain where few dare to roam. But consumer products are literally bound to his feet and protect him from the elements of nature. Consumer thoughts run through his head—maybe he wants to get wider boards to surf the powder with, or a flashier jacket, or warmer gloves. Consumer blood runs through his veins. In the rare case that that lifeline to consumerism is cut, the results are not pleasant. In 1992 a young man by the name of Chris McCandless left the comfort and the “freedom” offered in his suburban home and ventured into the Alaskan wilderness for “true freedom.” Within several weeks he had died from starvation, because of the lack of the comfortable lifestyle he was bound to. He was reckless, but the cause of his death was not entirely his fault. The complete responsibility he had for his own life was simply too abrupt a change from the society he was raised in. The idea that consumerism contributes to our freedom—that is the illusion. It minimizes our responsibility for ourselves, and our freedom is minimized with it.
A second factor that contributes to America’s detachment from responsibility is the influence of the media. Widespread access to the opinions of the news media has changed politics from a serious matter into a hobby. Americans love drama, to “stand up for their causes” and openly debate their “freedoms” and “rights,” and where “the real America” is. At times in American history, people have had to work for their freedom, and in some cases—the Revolution and Second World War for example—they have had to fight for it. While traces of struggle still exist in a country that continues to strive for perfection, they tend to be over hyped and under funded, thanks in no small part to the extremist political griping from Fox and MSNBC. The soapbox speeches, sign waving, little ribbons and slogans feel empowering, but at the end of the day, it is no more than a game. It is entertainment—entertainment for more American comfort. And with the click of a button, Americans can detach from the action, rest from the battle, and enjoy all of the comfort with none of the responsibility. They do not crawl through dust in a foreign land; gun in hand, fearing for their lives. They sit in a La-Z-Boy and take pleasure in a little afternoon taste of a little media Kool-Aid.
It seems cynical to think about America as a “fake” country, a country made of plastic and processed cheese. After all, we Americans love to think of ourselves as hardworking, as responsible citizens of the world who are free because of our own sweat and blood. But this is the modern world of the “flat-screen TV, the gas-guzzling car, the goods made in China,” like congressman Gilchrest said. And we often forget that it is the often sweat and blood of others that buoys our lifestyle, while we float freely and lazily on a pool raft made of cheap foreign rubber.
Current Mood: Productive
Listening To: "Corporate America" by Boston
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