BubbaNub 1/20

       Postmodernism is the evolution of consumption.   To be American is to consume. We have become a nation that consumes everything from “reality” TV to war. Everyday media bombards society with false expectations of materialistic success. These superficial constructs drive our economy while maintaining the classical illusion of the American Dream. However, the American Dream is an empty apology. It is an excuse that attempts to tell us why our nation runs the way it does.  We have accepted that order is vital, order is balanced, and most importantly order is safe. In a patriotic society overloaded with propaganda, this is how we are meant to view our government. They maintain order, and in return we are permitted freedom and independence. In reality, the only order our government provides is one maintained by fear. Everyday the media pumps us full of biased information that serves one purpose, to plant fear in our society.
        Simultaneously we are told that independence, not profit and wealth, is the supreme value. But in order to obtain this independence we must live in fear and constantly be at war, ready to defend America from “the outsiders”. However, we only end up imprisoning ourselves by trading our independence for promises of future independence. The government inspires fear to shutdown alternative views. This fear goes as far back as the 1950s, and over the years has not changed its appearance much. The red threat of the 1950s has simply been replaced by the 9/11 terrorism alert; our lives have become dominated by this fear. Our attention is diverted, as we look to anyone different then ourselves with distrust, isolating our families within gated suburban communities occasionally looking towards the media to refresh our fears. It turns out fear is one of the best methods of control. People lock themselves away and look towards the government for guidance. We are scared to acknowledge the wrecked state of our economy and government.
        There are various methods of control and order in the world, from religion to government; however, most rely on inspiring fear within their subjects. To support this image of fear and ensure control over other areas of the world, America puts large amounts of funds into inexplicable war efforts. We fight because outsiders are threats; we are told they threaten our freedom and independence although our government has already taken them both. It is difficult to see a choice in sides when fear drives America. Fear of failure assembles a working force, fear of outsiders shuts down alternative views, and fear of acknowledging the sad state our society is in keeps us pacified.