What's wrong with American culture?

It is an interesting phenomenon. One of the things that the Islamic fundamentalists fear most is our culture. (It scares me sometimes too)

I think this conversation has a lot to do with why we are being offered this program. Western culture has been the dominant cuture for century's but it seems that our culture has come to an impass or is on the decline as some would say. A big part of what inpsired western culture to grow was the idealism of Christianity and expecially the Protestant view that we are endowed with ownership of the earth and that by spreading the gospel we will advance the coming of the Kingdom. There may still be some good missionaries that are continuing this work but Christian idealism is no longer the central theme of western culture. Today it seems that materialism and individualism is the guiding ideology of western culture. So where do we look to find an alternative to our current cultural trend? It seems to be coming from the East. Asian culture is growing and we are finding out that the roots of that culture seem less materialistic and instead rooted in the spiritual ideals of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. While the East seems to be moving toward Western materialism, many in the West are drawn toward the East and the spiritual aspect that seems to be a something we are lacking. I think our students are also curious about things Oriental because of the mystical and spiritual connection. Things like Anime,the Tao symbol and the use of chinese characters on tattos are all signs that young people have some facination with the East these days. It's good that we can learn more about Eastern culture and bring this into the classroom so as to broaden our perspective beyond western cultural dominance.

In response to jashworth's post:

You brought up some interesting historical observations but the overall point I was attempting to make is that what we see coming from other countries is not so much a backlash against the average person is as much it being the official position taken by a handful of autocratic policy makers. The result we see are declarations against our cultural/creative expressions and censorship by their governments.

It would be one thing to have our values/ideology being rejected by the people in those countries but they are often not even being given the chance to judge our cultural products. However, when they see what we have they want more!

In other words, if our values are so askew to what they hold has being fundamentally true then one would think that they would be turning their cd players/tvs/computers to something less offensive.

And the fact that people in the US and other western countries are seeking spiritual answers in eastern thought shows everyone around the world that we are more tolerant to accepting differing ideology. I cannot imagine that certain governments in the middle east would allow their people to walk into bookstores to pick up a copy of religious text that differed from their strict interpretation of the Koran.

What's wrong with American culture?!? That's funny, because my friends and I were discussing about the media and American culture and how violence, sex, candy, whatever insubsequential and why we are so into them. I am more skeptical. At crucial times when America is involved with unethical activities, diversions are necessary. Why not promote care-free bubble gum pop, violent games, far-fetched ridiculous reality T.V. show featuring has-been child stars, the jailing of hotel heiresses, etc, just so the world would focus on something juicy instead of something horrific--like the genocides occuring all over the world, like the wars overseas and internally on U.S. soldiers between the few dominant ruling class against the majority 'minority' group? It's the American institution who is choosing to keep the country ignorant of world politics and views. If the mass begin to realize what's really going on, then too many questions would be raised, that that would be an inconvience to the people in control.

You know I do have a lot of issues with American culture, more so than politics, but actually when you really think about we are not so bad. I posted a blog on my annoyance with amcerican materialism, which is more than annoyance.. a disgust. But today I was speaking to my students about World War II and different types of governements, and in many ways we are a great country. leaving poilitics out, culturally we do have a lot of positives. My family comes from another country, I love the family values out there, the lifestyle out there is much better in that its about enjoying life and what you have, not a competition with the JOnes', but in many ways we have a lot to be appreciative of. When you go to another country made up of one culture they are usually MUCH more judegmental to anything that is not within the norm. You forget how nice it is to be able to listen to what you want wear what you want, and most people wont even notice. And while we have and will alwyas have problesm with racisim and homophobias, in many countries aorund the world it is worse. You cant even dress too different lest you be called "strange" We are more accepting of people who come from differnt races and religions than many other countries. Being an american usually means seeing more than one perception since you are surrounded by people all over the world, and usually less stubborn. However now that I say that it could just be cities like LA, or states liek Californai, I dont think some of the southern states are as open to things as Id liek to wish they are. I do remember a converstaion witha friend from Ohio who said "You cali people are too open-minded"
--Isnt that a good thing?

What is culture? American culture? or do you mean American way of living? There is no American culture if we look at and apply the terms in the definition of culture. The so-called American culture appeals to basic, rude and crude instincts of physical prowess, brute physical force without any consideration or desibility for intellectual or moral or aesthetic powers. Go ... and look into it... and tell me if this is not correct. Other societies may and do accept extreme American cultural representations (movies, dress codes, etc.) beca=ause we arell humans and we are all affected by the lowest instinctual desires... especially in emerging nations. However, why is it, besides industry controls and bias, that in American movie houses we rarely see European/South American/Japanese produced movies which focus not on violence, sex and drugs (as do Hollywood movies) but relate stories of human expereinces whether based on the psychology of the human mind, on interrelationships with people, nature, the environment, social issues and moral and religious aspects of society?!? The so-calles American culture is nothing but an aberration of human endeavor which has been dragging humanity to the ground and if we continue at this pace our planet and our societies will not last much longer...!!!