Perhaps the soon-to-end Bush years will also bring an end to the age of conformity that grips our nation. The beginning of the 21st century was much like the 1950s in America: a majority of the people conforming to a certain mindset. In the '50s it was fear of the Soviet Union, in the oh-ohs it is a fear of terrorism. Granted, there may have been something to fear from our enemies, but there is something to fear in what we are willing to give up in order to defeat our enemies.
There is modern day conformity in our ever present need to shop, our need to spend what we don't have. No longer just a consumer nation, we are a debtor nation. If we don't shop, the terrorists win. If we're not in hock, the terrorists win?
There is modern day conformity in the lack of individualism and the lack of individuals. America was once a country of united individuals. Now we are united conformists, even we think we are rebels and street-wise gangstas. These hip-hop "artists" are conforming: they want what most in society want today. They lust for money, sex, brain numbing booze and drugs and the promise of not having to think for themselves.
The individual Americans are dying. Hunter Thompson, Tom Snyder, three-quarters of the Ramones, etc, etc. Think what you will of them. Talent? Sometimes questionable. Flaws? Many. Individuals in a uniquely American way? Yup.
Conformity of the '50s brought rebellion in the '60s. Do we still have it in us?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment