Nothing will make you feel more American than spending some time in another country! (Especially in places like Italy or France, where you quickly realize that no matter how long you live there or how well you know the language and culture, you will never really be "French" or "Italian".)
Our American bonds are much lighter, looser and less visible and tangible, which I think means they only become clear once you gain the context of life elsewhere. Also, America, being so young, rich, powerful and commercial, is based so much on self-invention and -creation, which makes our country a sort of synonym for constant flux and a perpetual experiment in playing out the many possible meanings of "freedom".
To me, someone like Abbie Hoffman is an exemplar of what I think the Stoics (or even the Founding Fathers, esp Jefferson) would have called the barbarian's conception of freedom—meaning the freedom to be a lewd teenager in public and to reprise the role of Diogenes, enemy of norms, in a much more degraded fashion—as opposed to the conception of freedom/liberty as something that can't be properly exercised without wisdom, virtue and self-control. But at the same time, professional provocateurs like him are also part of what keeps things so fresh here, as we are constantly building, erasing and reforming every aspect of society and of what it means to be an American.
Viva America! It may be a madhouse, but it's our madhouse.
"the barbarian's conception of freedom" is often how I describe Americans, esp when I'm feeling as cranky as Diogenes the Cynic.
But all Americans have a bit of barbarian in us, it's what makes us so wild and spicy—and it's hard not be a barbarian when there are so many fun shopping and snacking options.
There's usually only one (or perhaps two) global hegemons at any given time (otherwise the word makes no sense), and centuries often pass between their rise, so each one is going to be unique. An English person might have written something similar 100 years ago or a Spaniard 400 years ago, as a Chinese person might in 50 years. In each case the associations would be different--the British might claim to have the most enlightened empire in history, the Spaniard might talk about saving souls brought to the Catholic Faith, whereas our hypothetical Chinese interlocutor might speak of their lengthy cultural heritage and rapid growth to prominence (the future's always harder to predict).
It's also true that when you're in a foreign country and you meet a countryman, you tend to notice the things you have in common more; I think this is universal.
Agree on the hegemony bit, but I think the second thing you said is more to the point: no matter where you're from, you won't fully understand your own home until you visit other places.
"It is bad when one thing becomes two. One should not look for anything else in the Way of the Samurai. It is the same for anything else that is called a Way. Therefore, it is inconsistent to hear something of the Way of Confucius or the Way of the Buddha and say that this is the Way of the Samurai. If one understands things in this manner, he should be able to hear all Ways and be more in accord with his own." --Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure
Nothing will make you feel more American than spending some time in another country! (Especially in places like Italy or France, where you quickly realize that no matter how long you live there or how well you know the language and culture, you will never really be "French" or "Italian".)
Our American bonds are much lighter, looser and less visible and tangible, which I think means they only become clear once you gain the context of life elsewhere. Also, America, being so young, rich, powerful and commercial, is based so much on self-invention and -creation, which makes our country a sort of synonym for constant flux and a perpetual experiment in playing out the many possible meanings of "freedom".
To me, someone like Abbie Hoffman is an exemplar of what I think the Stoics (or even the Founding Fathers, esp Jefferson) would have called the barbarian's conception of freedom—meaning the freedom to be a lewd teenager in public and to reprise the role of Diogenes, enemy of norms, in a much more degraded fashion—as opposed to the conception of freedom/liberty as something that can't be properly exercised without wisdom, virtue and self-control. But at the same time, professional provocateurs like him are also part of what keeps things so fresh here, as we are constantly building, erasing and reforming every aspect of society and of what it means to be an American.
Viva America! It may be a madhouse, but it's our madhouse.
Beautifully put! Love that phrase "the barbarian's concept of freedom."
Thanks!
"the barbarian's conception of freedom" is often how I describe Americans, esp when I'm feeling as cranky as Diogenes the Cynic.
But all Americans have a bit of barbarian in us, it's what makes us so wild and spicy—and it's hard not be a barbarian when there are so many fun shopping and snacking options.
Cheers
There's usually only one (or perhaps two) global hegemons at any given time (otherwise the word makes no sense), and centuries often pass between their rise, so each one is going to be unique. An English person might have written something similar 100 years ago or a Spaniard 400 years ago, as a Chinese person might in 50 years. In each case the associations would be different--the British might claim to have the most enlightened empire in history, the Spaniard might talk about saving souls brought to the Catholic Faith, whereas our hypothetical Chinese interlocutor might speak of their lengthy cultural heritage and rapid growth to prominence (the future's always harder to predict).
It's also true that when you're in a foreign country and you meet a countryman, you tend to notice the things you have in common more; I think this is universal.
I guess we'll see...
Agree on the hegemony bit, but I think the second thing you said is more to the point: no matter where you're from, you won't fully understand your own home until you visit other places.
"It is bad when one thing becomes two. One should not look for anything else in the Way of the Samurai. It is the same for anything else that is called a Way. Therefore, it is inconsistent to hear something of the Way of Confucius or the Way of the Buddha and say that this is the Way of the Samurai. If one understands things in this manner, he should be able to hear all Ways and be more in accord with his own." --Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure
Even if I got it from Ghost Dog. ;)
Terrific, provocative, look forward to discussing with you!
I love that we'll be discussing this right after you return from Paris!