So, I've been thinking about creating a lengthy tome about how we Americans have it all wrong. Of course, I actually don't have the time to take on such a massive effort but it is always nice to think about. The working title is Consumption and Production: The Fallacy of the American Dream. Man, that's heavy stuff. Basically I want to explore why and how our country became the way it is today. In other words, "Why are we so f'ed up?" Okay, so not all of us are. But it seems (and I don't think I am going out on a limb here) that much of society is so obsessed with working, buying, consuming, eating, making babies, teaching them to work, consume, eat, reproduce, etc. How did this vicious cycle begin? Work your ass off in school we're told. Why? So you can get a good job. Why? So you can work 80+ hours a week? Why? So you can afford nice things. Why?And for those of you who don't have JDs, MBAs, or PhDs, no problem. Just live beyond your means! Acquire more debt! Because in America, the bigger the car, the home, the burger, the boobs, the paycheck, the better person you are. Or so we are told.
I haven't been to Europe in years but it seems that they've got it figured out a little bit better. They seem to Work to live, not live to work. In fact, an article in today's Chicago Tribune discusses how people aren't taking their vacation days and here's a shocker - it ain't always because they love their job so much!
More to come on this but for now my head hurts. In the meantime, check out this site for the nifty t-shirt http://fatamerican.tv logo above.
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