Every country in the world whether it defines itself with democracy, communism or whatever else it is that defines its origin and wellbeing, is identifiable by a given distinct kind of culture. Culture in this case being determined by the way of life of people who live there. The United States is no different, and it should be said that Americans are quite good at showcasing what they believe to be the culture associated with their country in the best way. The whole world associates the United States with true patriotism, and with the feeling of nationalism that defines their way of life. But in a closer perspective, we find this to be an illusion that the American people continue to live through, as they are finding it hard to live through the reality of a lost and almost faded culture. It should be said that as much as culture is molded by a good and focused media that is meant to serve the people through educative art alongside good civic education to a nation’s younger generation, the United States has failed in affecting these two vices to its most dependent generation.
Let us face it, socio-cultural changes with respect to the American cultural sequence have taken a gradual course in the past few decades, even though many have failed to realize or see them coming. Its only now that we are making comparisons of then-and-now that we see how far behind the indigenous American culture has fallen. Take for example the early and mid-90s when divorce was an unheard of. Today it is hard to find kids in the United States whose parents are still happily married. A time when grave discipline measures in elementary schools were only associated with meagre things like chewing gum is now gone. Long gone is when prayer used to be part of daily life even in schools. The political aspect of things has changed from when President Roosevelt would use radio to manipulate people into joining the war during the depression time. All this change is due to secularization of the world and can be credited to changes in art. People have perceived art on a personal basis and relate it to their life in order to create an inward illusion about themselves. This proves further how art and culture are perpetually related, constantly influencing each other’s development.
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As mentioned earlier, art involves the way of life of people and in return, this shapes the culture of a nation. It should be said that in a generation or two, the United States will be a nation that cannot solve its problems and as such, it will be perishing in a morass of multicultural conflict and at the same time, lagging behind in global revolution. Failing to cater for social issues like water pollution, which is now attributed to the citizens even after the passage of the clean water act 35 years ago, which prohibited industrial pollution of water sources. This lack of imagination among people is a result of new art that cultivated the culture of carelessness.
Other than the social factors, new art has changed the culture of how politics is conducted and managed. This is mostly highlighted through the now corporate media which conducts its business along financial benefits. The media has lost the direction and sole purpose of serving and informing people, to what is now a manipulative and biased beast that is out to fill its belly from any given chance. TV and Radio have now lost their credibility of providing news that could be trusted like it used to be before. Time is gone when newspapers, which have now been replaced with an array of other enhanced news sources, gave news as it was to people. Focus has moved from what is important to matters entertainment, which are the new magnet for commercial gain. This shift in interests has been influenced largely by the change in art. The evolution has led to new aesthetic causes of interest and ignored the more important social aspect of life.
A case in point is how the political system these days is manipulated by the media and made it as dirty a game, and not just a game of wits. The recently concluded election is a perfect example of how social media can be used to reinforce and commercialize narrow opinions. The new culture has gone from fundamental to ludicrous considerations. Embracing and voicing what is less important is the new form of art, and the media is at the forefront of promoting it. Donald manipulated this act by realizing that a lot of people search for echo chambers on social media, and that they tend to be part of an atmosphere where their political opinions are continuously strengthened.
Since social media promotes the sharing of information, it helps people like Trump who have narrow interests and ideas to seamlessly connect with people who are ready to share their beliefs. Propagating sensational headlines was one of his main tactics as he knew that this fiery impetus on a political momentum on social media. Trump was able to sell his ideas on media platforms like twitter for most of the campaign and this sure got the attention of many voters in the United States. As many of his adversaries were still relying on the old ways of reaching voters, he tapped this votes taking his ideas closer to them. It is also apparent that social media has brought out the not so good side of voters spread of divisive messages about fellow candidates was witnessed during this campaign.
Furthermore, the more apparent media entities including the TV stations are today subject to manipulation in how they air and give minutes to certain presidential candidates. This is mostly due to financial gains from such endeavors. Since they are obviously able to engage a lager section of the voters they achieve their goal manipulating most of the votes by the end of the day. It is true that social media is controlled by our social reactions as part of what the influencers say is actually what is shared. Normally, what is shared is usually diverged, more entertaining and engaging than what nobody else thought to share. This is where digital introverts take center stage and share vile messages without considering the effect that this could have in the future.
Also, the change of culture in the United States can be attributed to a lack of civic education to the younger generation. The failure of the education system in the United States is said to be the reason behind the high percentage of a voting-age population that is full of ignorance of basic facts. Knowledge that if they were to have, they would act with reason and rational decisions towards their political choices. In the recently concluded elections, one Gary Johnson, who was a presidential candidate, could not tell what was going on in Aleppo, Syria absurd human violations were taking place. It is even apparent that Trump who has been elected president rarely reads history books nor knows any credible information about climate change.
Imagine that this kind of ignorance is starting from the very top and it is at this point that one has to ask where it all started. It is sickening when it hits you that a survey determined only 20 percent of seniors in 55 of the top ranked institutions knew James Madison as the father of the constitution. Also, close to half of college students could not tell the length of term of the senate (theatlantic.com). These are grave numbers of what we consider to be the elite or rather learned. Compared to its peers in Asia who seem to take knowledge and education as paramount, the US is lagging behind and in the process, being left behind the radar. It’s said that one reason for this could be that the US does not take its teachers seriously as the other developed countries do.
New arts have changed the whole perspective about a reading culture that once made the US to once be on top of the world in terms of the economy. For there to be a strong foundation of a country, investment need to be made in its education system and most of all the methodology. Following the ignorance behind everything starting from social to political matters, its essential that the US takes urgent measures in ensuring that this changes. Thought already being left behind by its competitors, it might seem a little late taking these measures but it would still be an effort. Survey reveals that 50 percent of students in American colleges are foreigners who acquire knowledge and go back to exert it in their countries. These are the same students who are laughed at by American students who fancy a spot in the cheerleaders group than good grades in class. The whole attitude towards general and civic education in the US should be over howled to savor whatever is remaining of the United States dignity.
