Oct 12 2007
Terms of Entitlement
I'm back in the States, and although I'm keeping good company (well, mostly, that is*), I am having a particularly tough time reconciling my travels over the past several months with what's going on around me here in my 'home country.'
There are a variety of issues flying around my head right now, many of which I staunchly refuse to discuss on a public forum such as this. However, there are some peripheral matters I do think necessary to address — if only to raise with the 4-5 people still reading this blog, my ongoing exercise in rhetorical masturbation.
The first issue I am really having problems with is the overwhelming sense of arrogance, entitlement, and just plain fucking gluttony that absolutely RULES the American psyche. Indeed, this view permeates every single aspect of the American culture - most of which I personally never saw before I left.
I have been made aware that my complaints and disillusionment with that culture may also be the simple byproduct of my own unjustified arrogance over everyone else here in the States grumbling about their everyday lives, yet who still resign themselves to such simple '9 to 5′ existences.
Shit, if I weren't better than them, then everyone I've met would themselves be doing what I'm doing instead of simply congratulating me for doing it myself … right? (That was a rhetorical question, please no need for comments).
Regardless of the cause (or the effect, for that matter), the results are the same — my seemingly endless supply of disgust at how far Americans have seemingly let themselves slip into the comfortable glove of self-entitlement and gluttony, no matter in what shape or form I find that view being presented:
- Whether it be the flippant willingness to pay more for a bottle of distilled tap water as does a family of 4 to live on for weeks in various third-world countries (most of which I obviously haven't even scratched the surface) — this, despite the fact that potable water sources are available at their fingertips, quite literally.
- Whether it be in the form of arguing, fighting, or losing patience with minor issues or items that, in said third world countries, would be considered luxuries of unfathomable depths (the idea of 'road rage' or other matters relating to waiting in cue, to me now seems absolutely idiotic).
- Whether it be in the form of suburbanites, businesspersons, housewives or students spending (again) thousands of dollars just to learn how to relax more and work less, and live their lives better — the same way as many I've met in Indonesia, Thailand, and elsewhere do just as a matter of course, although they get ridiculed by many of those same Westerners for being seemingly slow and unproductive.
- Whether it be in the form of an entire (Western) civilization trying to lose weight, eat better, exercise more, and simply be healthier — all the while ignoring the underlying problems that have led to the problem. Indeed, I find it particularly ironic seeing people working themselves into a frenzy about work, or school, or whatever, and then thinking a 45 minute yoga class will relax them. (Shit, I find it even more comical to see people sitting in an office for 8-10 hours/day, and then driving to a gym 2 blocks away that they've paid US$50.00/month to attend, just so they can go ride the stationary bike or treadmill).
- Whether it be pseudo-environmentalists — regardless of how good their intentions may be — trying to recycle bottles and paper, to reduce water usage, and to refrain from disposing of litter on the street, all the while unthinkingly contributing more to the global environmental issues than they could ever possibly rectify without seriously altering their entire lives (but that would mean they would have to be cold, or hot, or dirty, or with bugs, or … something).
Shit, I sometimes think that the bigger SUV they've got, the more angry they get about seeing someone throw a biodegradable paper cup to the side of the road rather than in a litter bin. I wonder just how enraged some of those people would get at seeing the Indonesian (and Thais, and Cambodians, and so on and so on …) simply burning their refuse on the side of the road, since those Americans conveniently forgot those people produce billions of tons LESS rubbish than they do.
Again, I am not unaware that much of my disgust in regard stems from my own pretension. But it's still there, and it doesn't really seem to be getting better. In fact, the longer I'm here (again, despite how beautiful my immediate company), it seems to be getting worse, and my desire to get back to Asia is growing stronger (indeed, it's been pointed out to me that I am saying 'hi' to all the Asians we pass on the street, but not the Caucasians — yes, apparently I'm a racist).
The only good news in all of this is the fact that, for the first time in a long while, I've got something helping me to temper my disgust. Hopefully, that temperament will continue, and round off some of the rough edges that have taken shape over the past few years.
–
*C'mon TK, did you really think that just cuz we had nice time over a few beers that I'd stop trying to piss you off?
Buddy, just knowing you’re in the same state as me pisses me off.
Alright, not to slap this around too much… but there’s an inherent irony that I hope you’ve considered: that it is this same capitalist gluttony and American greed that has enabled you to go on the journey you’ve begun. That is to say, it was your corporate job, your fuel-inefficient car, your role in this giant machine, that garnered you the funds which makes your sojourn possible. So be wary about casting stones, because without some of these things you’ve grown to despise, you’d never be able to do what you are doing.
And while I concede that there is a certain disillusionment that is understandable, and that I share, you also have to remember that not everyone you see has the same options as you, nor the same interest. And that there are people with families and children for whom they have to provide, and simply packing up and heading East is not a viable option.
That said, I share your overall distaste for this American life. But I am as guilty of it as the next person - I love my house, my car, my stereo and my bottled water. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve embraced some aspects of this culture, but frankly? I’m OK with that. I try to avoid the darker aspects of what you’ve written about, but at the same time, it’s not necessarily fair to judge people because they were born in a place where a sandwich costs as much as someone’s rent in Bangladesh.
OK. That might have come out a little harsher than I intended, but there it is. Please don’t think that I’m rushing to the defense of Capitalism (I think you know me better than that)… I’m just saying perhaps a little patience is necessary for those who may not have the time nor the ability to think about the big picture.
Alright. Enough of that. When are we hanging out again?
I am not an over zealous patriot, however, it is time that you stop bashing the United States. Your attack is not against the government, it is against the citizens of the United States. If it is so horrible here, why are so many trying to become citizens here? Should I disregard my daughter’s security so I am not a “greedy American.” The fact that you have no one in your life is your fault, and you should think twice about slamming people who have responsiblies beyond ourselves.
If you can’t use the proper word (queue, not “cue”), just say LINE.
I will concede that all of the above are very good points, however:
TK - yours is a good point but for the fact that I actually still have student loans far in excess of the GDP of the 3d world countries where I’ve recently been, with a credit rating matching … again, the credit of those same countries.: So actually, those folks are at least at zero balance.
JM — yours also is a perfectly valid point, and I respect it; yet to the extent you are entitled to be angry at me for voicing my views of the unadulterated stupidity of the general population in the U.S., I think it also allowable - if not beneficial - for me to describe the contradictions and misnomers of that general population who continue to subject themselves to said system by blindly choosing to take on responsibilities beyond themselves.
pssh — although you too are obviously correct, if it were me, I’d probably take greater umbrage of my use of the word ‘cuz’ in place of ‘because.’ But again, that’s just me.
Oh yeah, fuck all y’all (altho yeah, I know “y’all” isn’t a real word).
i agree with you. I’m not American but have lived there. I think if some of the Americans posting have never gone to some of the third-world countries then they need to shut up and go to get the proper perspective. It can only help for the majority of the population to do that as it will foster mutual respect and perhaps cure the current anti-american world view that is growing as we speek. Just remember to put canadian flag patches on your backpacks
anyway i really want to know where that wave is that is pictured above your blog and where is nembralla reef?
you can reply via email
cheers
Hmm. Your entry was thought-provoking. I hope you don’t mind that I have something to add…
There are still parts of the U.S. living in abject poverty. I think these feelings of entitlement you wrote about are polarized in the American Southwest, where I live. There are people who live without running water and without electricity here, in America. The city I live in has the highest illiteracy rate in the nation and at the same time, there are zip codes in El Paso with the highest population of millionaires in West Texas. About 30 miles away there are children who wear shoes painted with their own versions of Nike swooshes with parents who couldn’t care less what kind of car they drive as long as it still works. I agree with most of the things you’ve posted in your entry, but there are many overlooked facets of American culture that are misunderstood by social critics. Generalizations about our citizens are based on big-city living, what appears in commercials, or popularized in the media and entertainment. These outlets by far do not encompass all of it, but I certainly believe that they form the bigger, most influential part of the picture.
My two cents, thanks.
Hey! I just typed in “Is the stupid bowl over YET????” and this came up.
I didn’t read it all, as I have dishes to finish washing, but I do agree that greed rules in Amerika. You probably don’t remember in the late sixties when that is how WE spelled it. I think the upcoming recession will bring the US to its knees. The war in Iraq was the beginning of the end of the US as a world power. The whole lead up starting with Reagan and him abolishing the Securities Exchange Commission, the eventual WTO and NAFTA (yes, I know, Clinton was billed as a Democrat), Corporate ‘personhood’–all the things to make us ants and the congloms master life suckers.
Well, maybe I’ll visit this site some other time. Good on you for giving up lying for a livelihood. I know many who have.
Good luck.
Pita