Culture Vs. No Culture

[shiner]

The U.S. is often negatively described as a country with no culture especially by immigrants. I'm assuming that they are referring to the lack of culture that stems from lack of traditions given that this country is so new and diverse. But why is this so bad?

 

I think it's one major reason why this is such an innovative society. People are less concerned with what grandpa did or said. If they find a way to do something in a better way than grandpa they do it, and grandpa does not look down on them (as he would in other cultures). People don't feel the need to uphold anything from the past. They are not as limited by a cultural code. More is tolerated. The lack of homogeniousness does not manifest itself only in terms of ethnicities but also in the wider range of ideas, opinions, philosophies. And again more is tolerated. This in turn leads to a more innovative society. But I guess there are some disadvantages.

[gamavor]

Depends how you define "culture". Broadly speaking there is American culture and partly it is exactly what have you just described. In our European understanding (I bet you are from Europe:)) the connection between culture and ethnicity is stronger, while in it American version it is more related to lifestyle and stereotypes based on your social status. Culture, in our "old" understanding means participation. Every individual is part (or at least feels that way) of the 'soup' called culture. In America you are part of the American lifestyle, part of the American dream, if such thing exists at all. We all are part of "Brazil". I strongly encourage everyone to see this movie.

[Sip]

Nice post BTac and I agree ... and I am one of those that REALLY likes what is happening here ... on top of that, I'd like to add that the social structure is much more dynamic... you are not fixed within a "class" and moving up or down in the levels with huge leaps is definitely possible, even within a single generation. I guess in a sense, it is the land of opportunity!

 

... so on one hand, you are not tied with the often archaic ways of your ancestors, and on the other hand, you have a much larger set of freedoms in order to position your life in the future. Combine those together, and you are in for either HUGE innovations or HUGE disasters (and failures)! But that's not a bad thing I don't think.

[Sasun]

One should also point the negative parts of American culture, such as culture of sex and violence. Everyday we get a small doze of this poison from mass media that affects much of our consciousness. If one remains unaware of the damage and unguarded he/she becomes dependent on it, like many Ameicans are. In the end, it seems very normal for the average American to execute prisoners, to throw bombs here and there in the world, to see brutality and violence in everyday news. Sexual content blended with most everthing is sold all over causing a lot of damage to the psyche. Whether or not one gets to have sex, he/she is undoubtedly part of the deception and frustration brought by the culture of sex. It is abnormal and unnatural.

 

I don't mean to say that its all bad, there are many good things in American culture like stated above. There is a lot more on this...

[sev-mard]

Well said Sasun. Its tough, America is a paradox. Most of us, our lives couldn't be the way they are now if we lived in say Iran, or the Carribean where i'm from. So its like you suffer in America because of racism, the media, and you without question flourish. After being able to travel abroad within the last couple years I can say, as much as you may hate it here sometimes, being away from it makes you realize how much 'freedom' and 'opportunity' this land allows us.

 

peace