Today I had lunch with my friends Shuyu, Max, and Lei and we got to talking a little about the propagandistic nature of the 60th anniversary festivities that I mentioned in my last post. Lei pointed out that the US (Land of the Free, Home of the Brave) has its own elaborate mechanism for promoting its cultural ideals, but it’s less blatant because the messages are usually sent by non-governmental organizations, such as Harvard University and Viacom. This is undeniable and it got me thinking about the different messages that the world’s two great propagandist superpowers put out. Based on the 60th Anniversary parade, the Olympic opening ceremony, and the upcoming Shanghai Expo, the PRC seems to promote discipline, tradition, and unity. What about the US? Freedom, innovation, and diversity? Greed, amnesia, and morbid obesity? Then I came home and opened up iTunes and was introduced to Miley Cyrus’s new single “Party in the USA”. This song/video covers almost every inch of the American ideal. Youth worship, hedonism, multi-cultural homogeneity, muscle cars, a triumphant underdog, cowboy boots, wonderbras, the whole 9. And I won’t lie, it speaks to me.
And a Jay-Z song was ooooonnnn……
And a Britney song was ooooonnnn……
From sea to shining sea.
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COMMENTS / 6 COMMENTS
Diana said on Oct 12 09 at 08:23What?
Charles T said on Oct 12 09 at 08:41China’s propaganda is more impressive, but America’s is more likely to give you a boner.
Brendan said on Oct 12 09 at 20:02America’s is more likely to give you a boner.
The highest aspiration of all art.
JHE said on Oct 13 09 at 06:36It’s kind of great what happens when you google “America.”
After the requisite wiki pages, I got America the band (”Horse With No Name”) at number two, and the Allen Ginsberg poem at number four. The first page also returns: America, the Jesuit magazine; the library of Congress; America.gov (”Engaging the World”); and De Tocqueville.
Top video results? West Side Story.
I have to say, all in all, I’m totally satisfied with that representation of my country.
Of thee I sing.
Brendan said on Oct 13 09 at 19:09America is by far my favorite Jesuit magazine.
For another window, check this site out:
http://www.whatdoestheinternetthink.net/
James said on Oct 18 09 at 21:37Miley Cyrus’s favorite band is Radiohead.
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