The American Way Do not ask questions, just do it. That is the predominant American way. It is so dumbfounding when questioning a practice or belief is met with anger and disapproval, as if whatever is the subject is supposed to be accepted without questions. In the article Body Ritual Among the Nacirema, by Horace Miner, American culture is satirized due to the way some practices and beliefs are so deeply indoctrinated into us that the American people fail to see how strange all of them really are. In “1848: When America Came of Age”, by Kurt Andersen, American society from the 19th century, most specifically the year 1848, is described by a series of movements and the emergence of the many beliefs that dominate American culture. In American
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The faith that drives this belief is deeply rooted in the American culture. Andersen demonstrates this idea when he speaks of, “the most fantastical version of the American Dream” (Andersen 1). What he is referring to is the “yearn for instant fortune and easy prosperity” which was founded by pioneers to happen to strike gold out in California (Andersen 1). It accentuates how Americans want everything instantly without putting any real work or effort into it. In other words, by wishing hard enough, they can make progress towards something better. Miner also highlights this by explaining that people believe so deeply that by going to the hospital, they will get better. The “latipso” is supposed to be people go to receive treatment and recover, but it seems like it is the place “where you go to die” (Miner 3). So much faith is thrust into the health care system, however science and medicine can only do so much. The fact that some people prevail against their illnesses is enough proof to keep their faith in the system steady. Humans need to have this blind faith in order to “advance to higher stages of civilization” (Miner 5). An example of that faith put into action was when America defeated Mexico and somehow, “in one stroke extending the U.S. from the Texas border to the Pacific” (Andersen 1). There needs to be some faith for a better future that can be worked towards, and that faith is always present in American culture where new horizons are always in
The faith that drives this belief is deeply rooted in the American culture. Andersen demonstrates this idea when he speaks of, “the most fantastical version of the American Dream” (Andersen 1). What he is referring to is the “yearn for instant fortune and easy prosperity” which was founded by pioneers to happen to strike gold out in California (Andersen 1). It accentuates how Americans want everything instantly without putting any real work or effort into it. In other words, by wishing hard enough, they can make progress towards something better. Miner also highlights this by explaining that people believe so deeply that by going to the hospital, they will get better. The “latipso” is supposed to be people go to receive treatment and recover, but it seems like it is the place “where you go to die” (Miner 3). So much faith is thrust into the health care system, however science and medicine can only do so much. The fact that some people prevail against their illnesses is enough proof to keep their faith in the system steady. Humans need to have this blind faith in order to “advance to higher stages of civilization” (Miner 5). An example of that faith put into action was when America defeated Mexico and somehow, “in one stroke extending the U.S. from the Texas border to the Pacific” (Andersen 1). There needs to be some faith for a better future that can be worked towards, and that faith is always present in American culture where new horizons are always in