Topic: American Dream is translated to consumerism
Source: Novotoney, Amy. "What's behind American Consumerism?" What's Behind American Consumerism? American Psychological Association, July 2008. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
Description: The article describes the psychological patterns seen in Americans as to why they consume all the material items that they do. It states, "Researches says that new ways of advertising, paired with cultural shifts to consumerism, seem to be driving the trend" (Novotney 1). It continues to state that millions of dollars go into advertising each year, and advertising companies are manipulating Americans by find possible ways to dig deeper into their minds. The article continues to state the with every generation that passes, consumerism is becoming more extreme.
Analysis: The correlation between consumerism and wealth in America is outstanding, both are so greatly craved in today's society. The disillusion of the American Dream heightens pressure for Americans to succeed with an abundance of consumption. The American dream was originally defined as an individual who comes from an empty background and masters the idea of success. In today's society, people have changed the definition to mean consumption creates happiness and success. Also, it is very uncommon for an individual to rise above from an empty background, and most extremely rich people are born into it. The false American Dream has led the United States to be selfish and individualized. This does not only apply to the wealthy Americans but to all; a lot of Americans are more concerned about their individual aspirations than anybody else's. With that being said, I have noticed that in my case, as well as many other not so wealthy American families, we seem to take a slightly different outlook. For example, I grew up in a household with a single mother and five siblings; we were and continue to fall below the poverty line. Growing up, we were taught to make sure we were taken care but to make sure everyone around us was taken care of as well. We always shared our meals, our clothes, and our shelter with anyone who needed it. While I was in grade school, most of my friends were a lot wealthier than my family, but I seemed to be the only who knew that material objects did not just get hand-fed to every individual, that only some families could afford it. None of my friends understood that, and were always so confused on why I didn't own the same designer tennis shoes or backpacks like they did. It seems to be more and more common as American youth are growing up now; they are raised and exposed to copious amounts of consumerism in their households and the media that is seems taboo to not be wealthy. The idea of the American Dream is being implanted into the youngest of generations, and it's teaching our society to be very consumed in one's self. I propose the true American Dream to be the idea of being comfortable with one's own life. It has nothing to do with the items that one owns, but to be truly content and appreciative of what one earns and is provided. If all Americans lived a lifestyle of appreciation, the idea of consumerism would not be nearly as selfish as it is today.
Title: Media's Influence in Today's Society
Topic: Relationship between football and mass media
Source: Robbins, Richard H. Cultural Anthro. Student ed. Belmont: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2012. Print.
Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic, 2008. Print.
Gorman, Bill. "No Surprise: 64% Of Americans Watch NFL Football; 73% of Men, 55% of Women." - Ratings. TV BY THE NUMBERS, 14 Oct. 2011. Web. 03 Mar. 2013.
Description: In the text Robbins explains that, “Anthropologists have found that football is carefully controlled by fixed rules so there is only one outcome: almost always there is a winner and loser” (Robbins 23). Robbins explains the importance that football has in the American culture and that some opposing cultures are enraged by the idea of football. The level-playing field in society is made out to be a common theme in society, when really it is more difficult than it appears. Robbins describes football leading to the idea of success, as well as fixed directions on how to attain it.
Analysis: Media’s influence controls more of today’s society than most are aware of; one of the largest cases being the information that is being fed to society through football. Football is an American tradition that is watched by 64% of Americans, over 70% of viewers being male (Gorman 1). Watching football may be a cultural tradition, but Americans get too trapped and involved in media’s manipulation, without even truly noticing it. For example, The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins is a futuristic novel where their society is split into twelve districts, and once a year, a teenage boy and girl are sent from every district to fight until death, to thank the Capitol (its government) for providing for them. The event is a televised bloodbath that the entire society is dedicated to viewing. This shares a common theme with today's society; the Superbowl is the most viewed sporting event in America. When the concept of the Hunger Games is put into perspective, it does not seem too different from football, just that the concept of the Hunger Games is a more extreme case of media’s manipulation in society. The dystopia in the Hunger Games is related to today by the influence the media has on both of these events. Football is America’s most well-known reality show, because society feeds off the thrill and excitement of the unexpected. Men in today’s society take great pride in football, because they tend to feed off of the masculinity of the players. The idea of football could be comforting, because it has the potential to bring a society together to enjoy entertainment as a whole, but since media is involved: women are on the sidelines cheering on the men in minimal clothing, men are in tight clothing to show off their masculinity, and the commercials that advertise alcohol beverages create a sense of happiness and an ideal society. The media holds too much power over society, because aspects like football and reality shows are meant to be addictive and entrap individuals. Many Americans become so enslaved by football that Superbowl Sunday is ranked the highest day of reported domestic violence annually. As a society, we allow the media to have too much influence in our lives, and it seems to get more severe with each passing generation.
