America: A Degenerate Society?

[Zarxrax]

So far as "touch" goes in America, I think it has largely come about in recent years due to homophobia and sexual assault concerns.

50 years ago, guys could go around the locker room naked, and not think anything about it. Today, all the kids will say thats gay. Likewise, a male never want's to touch another male aside from a handshake or whatever, because thats gay too, of course. Don't even think about touching a girl, you automatically become a sex offender. Kids can't even play tag today because it involves touching.

[JaddziaDax]

not to mention how many nuts are out there trying to censor nudity because its "bad". (when I say nudity I'm talking about stuff like shower scenes in anime that are completely innocent, or something like Michelangelo's David - or any other kind of art... hence my statement that "some people see art as porn" in that other thread)

I don't think that kids even take showers in the locker room anymore... I know in my high school they didn't and the showers that were left there from the "old days" had spiders living in them due to neglect. (instead tons of perfume and deodorant or just not being active in P.E. at all were used)

There is a lot of "self censorship" out there too... I don't mind hugging, but I'm always afraid of how people will react when I do something like that, so that sort of thing is reserved for people I know really well. or to specific places where I know something like that would be welcomed (Renaissance Faire - most of the friends I made out there were very touchy-feely).

At the Dickens' Fair I was often seen holding a girl's hand because it was not only acceptable in that time period, but common.

I remember being in High school when the exchange student kissed me on the cheeks for saying hi to her. it totally weirded me out, but at the same time I knew it was because thats how they "acted there" so I couldn't get mad at her or anything.. but my face did turn beet red O.o

but like Zarx said... any same gender touching is considered "gay" here and there is still a lot of homophobia running rampant.

[Kionon]

Dear America,

You bemoan the lack of change, but you do nothing, and then you complain when your lack of action means you have seen no change. Well pardon my lack of indulgence or sympathy. You don't vote, you don't campaign, you don't get behind people or issues you feel are important in the public sphere.

Someone else will do it.

It's not your job, you cry, to take care of the poor, or the sick, or the disabled, or the mentally ill, and the government shouldn't make you, because the private sector can do it better, never mind you know the private sector is made up of people just like you.

Someone else will do it.

So you say it's sad that our problems aren't fixed. You're sympathetic to the plight of the sick, and the poor, and disabled, and the mentally ill, but you have kids of your own, and the dry cleaning needs to be picked up. You just don't have the time, but you've heard of people like Mother Theresa, and you've seen the kids from your local University who form groups to go read to children in the primarily black south of the city.

Someone else will do it.

Can't spare the time to reach out of your SUV and hand someone some change, even though you have a full clip for the tollway. You know, at least intellectually, there must be a mission or a soup kitchen nearby, and this guy may just be trying to get crack. If he needs help, well, it doesn't have to be from you.

Someone else will do it.

You believe in spreading democracy around the world, and every so often it seems we are valid in our attempts to do so, that we get involved in the histories of other nations. You say believe strongly that these people must be free, but meanwhile back in America, you're trying to make sure you don't miss your tee time. After all, we're a free country, and our military is a volunteer force. So why then were you at all worried? You're not stupid enough to join our armed forces.

Someone else will do it.

And when the body bags come home, and the faces are ones you recognize, you celebrate their honor, but bemoan their cost. These are not random individuals you, cry, no, these are our sons and daughters. You knew them, and therefore, it might seem as though maybe something might get through to you. But no. You instead say, well, it doesn't need to be us, wherever we are. We have our own problems at home, like the sick, and the poor, and the disabled, and the horrible corruption in our government. You want to say you're focused on that. As for the mess elsewhere in the world? Well, we did enough by getting involved in the first place, and we don't have to be bound to see the ending.

Someone else will do it.

[aesling]

Did you ever notice how people from countries other than the US are more laid back, accepting, and more educated? Do you think this has to do with their cultures, beliefs and traditions? America has no real central belief or tradition, and its holidays have been overrun with commercial propaganda. While other countries may have similar problems with their holidays, they aren't near as "bad" as the USA's.

America has a much more business-like society where as, for example, in Italy it is customary to kiss and hug freely(as with many other cultures) upon meeting.

I'm sorry, but I think that's total bullshit (not to mention incredibly overgeneralized). Sure, our country and its culture have many problems, some that are very deeply rooted. But so does just about any culture. No culture is perfect, because people aren't perfect, so to pick out specific cultural differences that you like and say that somehow makes those countries "better" is ridiculous, because you are failing to look at the whole and acknowledge their flaws. For example, while Spain may be much more open about sexuality in the media, they also have quite a bit of machismo going on still.

I'm also not sure more "centralized beliefs" (whatever that means) are the answer to our problems either. Yes, rampant capitalism is incredibly empty and damaging to our society, but if that's what drives our country, isn't that a central belief? Just because a belief is central doesn't make it healthy.

On another note, I also find people who critisize America for borrowing elements of other cultures ridiculous. For one thing, throughout the history of humanity when different cultures come into contact, they almost invariably borrow something from one another. It's nothing new. For another, this flexibility is one of the things I actually love about America. A rigid culture that can't adapt is one that will very likely die out.

[JaddziaDax]

the Romans and the Greeks are good examples of borrowing from other cultures O.o

[Beowulf]

For example, while Spain may be much more open about sexuality in the media, they also have quite a bit of machismo going on still.

ROFL, I don't think the Spanish are qualified to be used as the "positive example" in an example about cultural differences.

Marquis de Sade anyone?

[inthesto]

Touch is extremely important, yet the older we get, the larger our personal no-touch bubble expands. I wouldn't be surprised if a sociologist could connect this with the suicide rates in various societies...

You may be on to something here...

Ironic that this comes from the guy from Finland, which is #12 on suicide rates per capita.

National suicides rates are actually linked more to how much sunlight a country gets annually. And it cant be any coincidence that eight of the top ten countries are former states of the USSR.

[inthesto]

For example, while Spain may be much more open about sexuality in the media, they also have quite a bit of machismo going on still.

ROFL, I don't think the Spanish are qualified to be used as the "positive example" in an example about cultural differences.

Marquis de Sade anyone?

The Marqius de Sade was all about Spanish pride[/quote], huh?

[aesling]

For example, while Spain may be much more open about sexuality in the media, they also have quite a bit of machismo going on still.

ROFL, I don't think the Spanish are qualified to be used as the "positive example" in an example about cultural differences.

Marquis de Sade anyone?

Positive example? Did you even read what I wrote? And the Marquis de Sade isn't even from Spain (not to mention this is exactly what I was talking about; taking one specific example and using it to generalize an entire culture).

[Serv0]

The quality of the USA is dependent on the perspective of its citizens. After all, it is a country ran by the "PEOPLE." Who's to blame then?

"In order for a civilization to survive, it must remain civilized." -Rod Serling.

Experience has justified this statement for me. After all I have grown up in both sides of the world.