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Post by Ceci on Apr 28, 2007 17:56:21 GMT -5
I know that historians will have lots to say about this present time, but one thing that sticks out is that people are more self-oriented these days than in other times. I think that this goes beyond the "Me Generation" of the past. It has to do with the fact that instead of thinking in terms of the community, there has been a lot of examples in history that contribute to one looking out for their own self-interests instead of being empathetic for others. And with this "self-identification", there is a lack of identification with the plight of other people.
I even think that the politicians today sponsor this sort of individualistic thinking that caters to "bettering" one's self instead of trying to work toward the community.
Do you guys think that this is the case? Or are there examples that we are more caring than what it indicates?
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SeventhSeal17
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Post by SeventhSeal17 on May 8, 2007 21:11:10 GMT -5
It's tough to say, really.
On an international level we certainly are in hegemonic era.
In all honesty it seems to me that everything produced today (in the United States, at least) is aimed at two things. Either mindless consumerism or the general dumbing down of an ignorant population, and the subsequent manipulation that comes with ignorance.
It is a 'me generation', but only because people are not shown otherwise.
By the way, do I detect a hint of Marxism/Communism in you?
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Post by Ceci on May 9, 2007 0:20:35 GMT -5
It's tough to say, really. On an international level we certainly are in hegemonic era. Fair enough. But I'd like to hear your ideas on this. 1) On the mindless consumerism:I think that this is because there is an corporate influence on American society. Everything here is devoted to what the corporation needs instead of the consumer. The people, to the corporation, are only means to an end to make money. And since bills and resolutions in government have been passed to help corporations, our needs are often overlooked--especially in terms of health care and social welfare. But even the current Administration has to know that people can get highly disenchanted with the government when they are ignored. However, when it benefits a certain class of persons who are making money off of others, there seems to be this push to "get with the program" or be left out of the system. And Hurricane Katrina showed that a lot of people were left out of the system in a horrendous way. 2) On the "dumbing down the population": I don't carry such a pessimistic view of American society. Surely, we are a society based on gratification. But, these needs are often acted upon because our leaders do not take us seriously. And granted, there is a population out there that will absorb everything hook, line and sinker that the politicians and celebrities communicate through the MSM. However, there are a lot of us who do read between the lines and convey what we feel from reading current events. The hope is with people who actually take the time in reading newspapers, researching information online and discussing pertinent matters with their friends. When there are a group of us who know we're getting screwed by the system, then social movements happen. That's because there are leaders not only in government, but in the media who focus mainly on their own concerns as well as what their self-interest groups want. I believe that there needs to be ways to discuss how empathy is introduced back into the population so we can care for one another. Only then, will people care for not only themselves, but for the nation. Lol. I have read a lot of Marxist thinkers in my studies (Marcuse, Foucault, Gramsci, for example.). But pretty much, I am a Progressive who has read a lot of different theoretical influences while developing my own ideas about the world. In the end, political, philosophical, psychological and sociological thought has made me more interested in how society works in terms of its systems, social norms, social values and social groups.
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SeventhSeal17
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Post by SeventhSeal17 on May 9, 2007 7:39:53 GMT -5
I will respond, but can't at this time. I don't have enough time to give it a just respone before I need to leave for work So, come 5:00 tonight (Eastern Time) I'll edit this post with a response!
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