The American Problem

This is a paper I wrote for English. I don't remember what the original assignment was, but this is what I came up with. The ending is a little cynical, but sometimes a cynical viewpoint is good; it can be a catalyst for change. I know what's said, don't complain if you don't have an alternative handy, but this isn't a rant--it's about identifying what the problem IS, because you can't fix what you don't know is broken.

Everyone today has his or her own opinion about what’s “wrong” with today’s society. Not enough “values”; too much “values”. Not enough respect; too many material possessions, and on and on.

Allow me to add my voice to the cacophony to spout my opinion: You’re all wrong. (Particularly those who go on about “core values”. Allow me to join the angel Aziraphale in proclaiming the actual use and application of this phrase a mortal sin. Bt that is a subject for another time.)

No, America’s problem—conglomeration of problems, all twisted into great, snowballing, sphere of doom—is a little something I like to call the American “mindset.” Although like any social or cultural issue it is difficult to determine and define every aspect, angle, and facet, and I personally have not completely worked out the entire problem or my views on the matter, what I can say, with great certainty, is that this problem is greatly exemplified in American education.

For example: Ivy League preschools. Not prep schools, but indeed, pre schools. Newsweek even did an (excellent) article on the subject. In an effort to better educate faster, more efficiently, childhood is no longer about play. Kids are pushed to achieve so much book learning, so fast, they are not being allowed to live—to be children. As Newsweek defined the change, preschool is the new kindergarten, and kindergarten is the new first grade. This IS a change for the worst. Maybe we should listen to England. As Newsweek said, they tried t, and failed miserably.

This same kind of mindset is even better exemplified in the lovely No Child Left Behind Act. It’s a wonderful idea, to be sure—who doesn’t want everybody to be well educated, with at least a high school diploma? But holding teachers accountable for children who won’t learn, who refuse to learn, who are incapable of learning who would be better off in a trade school somewhere? Punishing teachers and schools for forces most often outside their control? Apparently the government has forgotten children have wills of their own. This Act sets up everyone to fail—except the students who cause the problem, who will be pampered and excused. This is also an example of the government applying a blanket policy that tries to dictate individual lives and practices. So much for freedom, America.

So what is this particular part of the American problem? It’s hard to describe in just one phrase—that’s why it’s easiest just to get the sense of it through examples made of its many manifestations. But, to attempt it—the American mindset is all about happily using what Umberto Eco would have called moron logic, or Sherlock Holmes called twisting facts to suit interpretations, and just going merrily along the path of doom to the cliff’s edge up ahead, blissfully ignoring all the warning signs along the way.

And that, I think, is really the best example, or analogy—whichever—of all. A moron, Eco writes, is the person who’s argument you know is faulty—but it sounds good, and you have a hard time pointing out the flaw in the logic. And those are the most dangerous people of all—they will gleefully destroy the world, thinking to the last (and convincing everyone else) they’re working only for its salvation.

Welcome to America, land of morons.

Share this post on:

 •    •    •    •    •