Culture

[jBirch]

Hey All,

There was a recent CRTC ruling that allowed satellite radio in Canada so long as 10% of the channels carried 85% or more Canadian Content. There is a recent challenge to this decision that centres around the supposition that allowing satellite radio essentially kills local radio. This got me thinking, how much of recent (say, the last 10 years or so) political decision have about preserving or exporting culture?

And a follow up question, why is American culture so virulent? Ie// why is it that almost all cultural protection measures are designed to promote local culture at the expense of American culture? What is it about American culture that so threatens other local cultures?

James.

[PalmFrond]

And a follow up question, why is American culture so virulent? Ie// why is it that almost all cultural protection measures are designed to promote local culture at the expense of American culture? What is it about American culture that so threatens other local cultures?

I think that virulent is the wrong word. IMO, American culture is strong because it is relatively easy to incorporate elements of it into other cultures. Hence all of the paranoia in other countries about being subsumed into it.

However, I think that most of the paranoia is misplaced. Although people may appropriate elements of American (or other) culture, it never changes their own culture entirely. Look at Japan - it is an apparently westernised country, but its culture is still uniquely Japanese. Same in Ireland - anglicized, but the culture is still very much separate from that of the rest of Britain even in areas where only English is spoken (i.e. most of the country).

[L.O.A.S.]

I like this writers explanation as to why American culture is so virulent (popular).

http://www.ejectejecteject.com/archives/000017.html

You don’t have to have the vast intellectual reserves of a French Minister of Culture to understand why our movies and music have such appeal abroad. They are, more often than not, each small ambassadors of freedom and optimism. From James Dean to Brad Pitt, Americans are cool; cool because they don’t spend their evening sitting around bumming cigarettes and discussing global warming. They have bad guys to fight and motorcycles to ride, vast stretches of open road to get lost in and a disdain for any authority whatsoever. Where the European hero is a deeply conflicted soul lost in an existentialist nightmare, the American counterpart is a member of a rag-tag group of Rebels flying out to destroy the Death Star. Or a no-nonsense cop who plays by his own rules. Or an ordinary person, who, as the result of chance (Spider-Man), determination (Batman) or accident of birth (Superman), uses amazing personal power to aid the weak and fight evil.

These are our myths. They lack the patina of history that elevates those of the Greeks and Norse and countless other mythologies. But they are not created in a vacuum. These stories come from our common heritage and our common beliefs. Our heroes are what we make them, and for this country, the most successful have been young men and women thrust into extraordinary circumstances, who fight evils and monsters and never, ever use their powers for personal gain.

Yes, these are fantasies. No, of course real Americans are not so altruistic. But these are the standards we create for ourselves, and these American heroes represent what we represent as a nation. Action over endless discussion and moral paralysis. Rebellion against authority. Defense of the weak and helpless. And most of all, the optimism of the happy ending.

We get a lot of criticism from our betters about how shallow and mindless the Hollywood ending is. Fair enough. It does turn its back on the untidiness of reality. But it is also an expression of how we would have things turn out in a perfect world, a world where freedom and justice triumph and reign. These are the things we believe in, and these are, not surprisingly, immensely attractive to the rest of the world.

[Gav]

<Sticks fingers down throat>

That's better, it's removed the saccharin aftertaste.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Where the European hero is a deeply conflicted soul lost in an existentialist nightmare blah blah blah...

Pardon me, but are you really comparing one very young countrys (ie. USA) 'hero' with those of an entire continent (ie. Europe)? It doesn't really seem fair to me.

And I suppose you have never heard of the swedish super hero Pippi Långstrump?

I don't mean to be rude or start an argument, but there is more than that hideous font that gives me a headache...

[Zelda]

PIPPI LONGSTOCKING!!!
She rocks!

<we now return you to your regularly scheduled debate>

[esskreemr]

You'll have to excuse L.O.A.S, the ink from the George W. Bush 4 Ever tattoo on his rearend was apparently toxic.

[Pauli]

You'll have to excuse L.O.A.S, the ink from the George W. Bush 4 Ever tattoo on his rearend was apparently toxic.

What was the song called again, by Cindy Lauper? He rocks, he rocks, oh baby......lalala
Alright, now we've got two rocking @ the same time......

[L.O.A.S.]

Pardon me, but are you really comparing one very young countrys (ie. USA) 'hero' with those of an entire continent (ie. Europe)? It doesn't really seem fair to me.

I was not going for a comparisson (in terms of better or worse) at all. but rather what makes American culture appealing to those from other countries. The writer says it may have to do with the upbeat, optimistic message that is often conveyed in our entertainment media. True, not true? I cannot say, as I was raised on this stuff.

And I suppose you have never heard of the swedish super hero Pippi Långstrump?

I have heard mention of Pippi Longstockings, although sadly do not know much about her story. Although, sounds like something I should get for my daughter for when she gets older.

I don't mean to be rude or start an argument, but there is more than that hideous font that gives me a headache...

My apologies. It didn't seem so bad when I was juiced up on all that tatoo ink.

[scrapinpeg]

This one, I think, is called a Yink.
He likes to wink.
He likes to drink.
The thing he likes to drink is ink.
The ink he likes to drink is pink.
He likes to wink and drink pink ink.



...sorry, I've been drinking the ink too. The colors! The colors!!

[ReverseLunge]

Because American culture is anti-culture. America is only a few hundred years old so what culture could she really have?

[RebelFencer]

The writer says it may have to do with the upbeat, optimistic message that is often conveyed in our entertainment media. True, not true? I cannot say, as I was raised on this stuff.

Upbeat optimistic message--i.e. brainwashing drivel. People care more about Britney Spears's marriage or whatever than the fact that the basic principles this country was founded on are being raped by this administration. I love this country, but I am disgusted by those running it.

[ReverseLunge]

Reality Uber Alles

I don't watch TV. I don't have cable. I don't go to movies. I don't watch DVDs. I don't own any video games. I don't care about bands, gossip, social trends, fashion, or any other transitory diversions.

The only thing that interests me is reality. I prefer life over illusions and meaningless amusement. Entertainment is for morons.

People who can only reference life based on episodes of sitcoms, movies, and quotes from make believe characters have nothing in common with me. I prefer to talk about real ideas, plans, and experiences instead of irrelevant nonsense. The people I have always gotten along with best have no fear of honesty, so we communicate openly and do well in life even when we are handed difficult circumstances.

I am naturally good at sports and enjoy the exercise, as well as the sublimation of war when they are played at a high level of competition, but watching them is a waste of time. It simply doesn't matter which team scores more points - life goes on regardless of the outcome of a game.

When people talk about "freedom" but then live as slaves to entertainment, jobs, and social image, it can be difficult to ascertain whether they are confused, thoughtless, brainwashed, or oversocialized. In any case, words mean little and behavior demonstrates everything. If someone spends their time unproductively, their lost dreams should be no mystery for they have chosen to throw their time away on foolishness and thus deserve the nothingness they have acquired in place of real experiences and results.

Every day offers open opportunties and free time, and each person has a certain amount of energy which they can spend in pursuit of what they desire from life. The result of expending this on things that lead nowhere should be obvious, but apparently goes unconsidered by most who are stuck in a pattern of repeating this squandering day after day.

You make the world in which you live. The life you have is appropriate for you and fits you well, for it is a reflection of what you have created for yourself.

[jBirch]

The other thing I've seen is that other cultures are often subtly denigrated in American pop media.

Christians, and Christian belief is espoused as "RIGHT" while everyone else is wrong, stupid, misguided and irrelevent. Women must be allowed to walk the streets naked. Cultural norms that have women covered up are barbaric. Happiness is found in purchasing. If you're poor, then you're a loser. Men must be strong and tough and sensitive and caring and a good dancer. Neither Machisimo nor geekiness need apply. You must be thin, with a big chest, flat abs, toned arms, smooth skin and good legs. If you're fat, small chested, have a gut, toothpick arms, pimply skin or "tree trunk legs", you might as well commit suicide. Sex is recreation. Anything that doesn't view sex as recreation is backward, stupid and repressive. Gays are evil. Work hard and you'll make lots of money. Work is more important than family and entertainment. America is good. Everything not American is evil. Is it any wonder that other cultures view this as a threatening influence?

The example of Japan is a fascinating one because in the US there is an anti-Japan backlash. They take American car jobs, their cartoons are pornagraphic, they worship demons. Why does the US feel threatened by Japanese culture?

Why is it that cultural differences evoke the most vitriolic responses? Why is it that a cultural perspective is "right" and anything not congruent to it "wrong"?

"Speak English or DIE!" - anon

James.

[latenight]

"You make the world in which you live. The life you have is appropriate for you and fits you well, for it is a reflection of what you have created for yourself."


This is 100% correct.

[jBirch]

Reality Uber Alles

I don't watch TV. I don't have cable. I don't go to movies. I don't watch DVDs. I don't own any video games. I don't care about bands, gossip, social trends, fashion, or any other transitory diversions.

Then you miss a key component of interacting with your fellow humans.

The only thing that interests me is reality. I prefer life over illusions and meaningless amusement. Entertainment is for morons.

Or wise people. Buddha believed that all existence was entertainment and joy was to be found underneath the smallest rock.

People who can only reference life based on episodes of sitcoms, movies, and quotes from make believe characters have nothing in common with me. I prefer to talk about real ideas, plans, and experiences instead of irrelevant nonsense. The people I have always gotten along with best have no fear of honesty, so we communicate openly and do well in life even when we are handed difficult circumstances.

Open communication is often euphemism for ill manners. Those that lack the grace to greece the wheels of social interaction often miss out on the truth of ideas. The fact of sitcoms is meaningless, but the shared experience is exactly and totally the opposite.

I am naturally good at sports and enjoy the exercise, as well as the sublimation of war when they are played at a high level of competition, but watching them is a waste of time. It simply doesn't matter which team scores more points - life goes on regardless of the outcome of a game.

Yes, life does indeed go on. It also happens on the field as you watch, with people living and dying a little as you watch them earn their victories. Watching sport is like watching war, and those that refuse to learn its lessons are doomed to repeat their mistakes. You dislike watching sport because you fail to see the intricate beauty unfolding before you. A good post play should feel like surf on the beach, just like a good two man rush, a good disengage and a good pit stop should feel. Life is art.

The score is an expression of this feeling and victory is all that matters, in sport as in war. Rommel said it best, "Training errors are etched in paper. Tactical errors are etched in stone." and Vin Diesel echoed it "It doesn't matter if you win by an inch or win by a mile. Winning's winning." You can choose to participate in the struggle, or you can let others fight for you. Your choice.

You refuse to watch because you don't understand the struggle and can't appreciate the battle on a visceral level. Warriors can smell each other across the vast expanse of expression.

When people talk about "freedom" but then live as slaves to entertainment, jobs, and social image, it can be difficult to ascertain whether they are confused, thoughtless, brainwashed, or oversocialized. In any case, words mean little and behavior demonstrates everything. If someone spends their time unproductively, their lost dreams should be no mystery for they have chosen to throw their time away on foolishness and thus deserve the nothingness they have acquired in place of real experiences and results.

Words are the *only* things of meaning. They are the means by which action is created, ideas explored and thought communicated. Ideological battles are fought, won and lost, all the time with words. Actions are merely interpreted and outcomes predicated on the skill of the words that preceded them. "We will fight them on the beaches..." won a war. The right words, at the right time and in the right place, are the catalyst to right action. You can denigrate them all you want, but your words are your swords and how you use them shows how you act. Generals fight with words, Privates fight with bullets. There is a reason for this.

Every day offers open opportunties and free time, and each person has a certain amount of energy which they can spend in pursuit of what they desire from life. The result of expending this on things that lead nowhere should be obvious, but apparently goes unconsidered by most who are stuck in a pattern of repeating this squandering day after day.

It is desire that predicates pain, so Buddha argues. Work is prayer and God is the only boss that matters, so Christians say. Mindful living is what's important, not what you actually do with your day others say. Squandering life is impossible because of the mere fact of our existence. Repetition has value as a life experience itself.

You make the world in which you live. The life you have is appropriate for you and fits you well, for it is a reflection of what you have created for yourself.

And by extension, you make the world that others live in too. Your life is only truly yours if there are no others in it. How do you choose for others to live?

Hope this helps.

James.

[ReverseLunge]

Well I don't know anything about buddha except that he was overweight and his statue is often placed at the entrance of a Chinese or Cambodian restaurant and that you are supposed to rub his belly for good luck. I don't know if you're a Buddhist or what but I don't see the point in statue worship and I don't care much for religion or what jesus or buddha had to say. I commit myself to life and thereby draw my essense, beyond which there is nothing.

[jBirch]

Well I don't know anything about buddha except that he was overweight and his statue is often placed at the entrance of a Chinese or Cambodian restaurant and that you are supposed to rub his belly for good luck. I don't know if you're a Buddhist or what but I don't see the point in statue worship and I don't care much for religion or what jesus or buddha had to say. I commit myself to life and thereby draw my essense, beyond which there is nothing.

Whoah there sparkly pants. One, there are a lot of Buddhas. Two, I'm Catholic. Three, you're talking wisdom instead of culture and confusing religion with thought. You've got a good mind, I thought you'd see what I was trying to say, rather then getting mired in who said it.

In what way do you "commit yourself to life"? By not doing a lot of "frivilous" things?

James.

[ReverseLunge]

Whoah there sparkly pants. One, there are a lot of Buddhas. Two, I'm Catholic. Three, you're talking wisdom instead of culture and confusing religion with thought. You've got a good mind, I thought you'd see what I was trying to say, rather then getting mired in who said it.

In what way do you "commit yourself to life"? By not doing a lot of "frivilous" things?

James.

I was just busting your balls man. I am actually quite knowledgeable about Buddhism, Zennism and Taoism.

Actually I was quoting Jean Paul Sarte:

"My philosophy and I are one and the same. I commit myself to life and thereby draw my essense, beyond which there is nothing. We are born alone in this world with no excuses. That is what I mean when I say that man is condemned to be free."

Back to the the culture topic. I'm sure you can tell by my "Globalization" thread that I am quite against America going around and imparting it's valueless culture everywhere.

[jBirch]

I was just busting your balls man. I am actually quite knowledgeable about Buddhism, Zennism and Taoism.

Oh. <rubs irritated testes> Alright then.

Actually I was quoting Jean Paul Sarte:

"My philosophy and I are one and the same. I commit myself to life and thereby draw my essense, beyond which there is nothing. We are born alone in this world with no excuses. That is what I mean when I say that man is condemned to be free."

Ah, Satre, you'd think that a Parisian would understand Joix de Vive, Non? Unless you're just pricking pre-conceived notions, your comments in the prior post make you sound like a monastic scholar, where duty, dedication and discipline are the only things of value. Life is a serious endeavour and fun is inherently weak: a door through which sin may enter. Sounds, well, boring to me. *grin* Where the heck does humour fit into that world-view?

Back to the the culture topic. I'm sure you can tell by my "Globalization" thread that I am quite against America going around and imparting it's valueless culture everywhere.

Yeah, but this is the thing. Why do others value it? What is it that makes it so darn appealing? Why is EVERYONE threatened by it's total domination over their indiginous ideas? There's definitely a Darwinism of culture kind of thing happening around the world, but why is Americanism the current cultural powerhouse? Is it, as was previously mentioned, the concept of the rebel and the underdog achieving greatness? The concept of "huddled masses, yearning to be free"? The "American Dream" where hard work will equal financial reward? Or is it more insidious as you've posited in the Globalisation thread? That Americanism is so virulent precisely because it wages cultural war to recast ALL culture as American? That "if you ain't fer us, you're agin' us".

James.