The American "experiment"--perpetuated by Lincoln's Gettysburg Address-- remains the hope of a troubled world; with remediable blemishes including the chicanery of Big Money.

American culture is attractive throughout the world. Our foundational values potentially present a glowing example. Glaring blemishes could be ironed out.

First off, currently bossy "unilateral" policies could be fixed by a new Kerry Administration. Then the generally authoritarian example fostered belligerently by American fundamentalists--arousing internal conflicts {psychological and political) with ample gunplay--could be absorbed as well, over a longer term, into foundational values.

TRANSCENDING ACQUISITIVE TENDENCIES

American materialism is a remaining blemish. Our greed for things is understandably disturbing in much of Islam; and even Europe. Big Money threatens as well our own politics and lingering economic justice. (Ralph Nader laudably demands national action. Obviously his campaign should be suspended, however, just long enough to assure that the Bush-leaguers--and their present Orwellian (corporate) tyranny--are voted out in November.)

In any event, crass commercialism does breed world-disturbing decadence. American advertising--slick, sly and sleazy--constantly bombards everyone with temptation toward unnecessary wealth and avarice. My own generation--proceeding from "hippy" revolt to "yuppy" indulgence--has become seriously susceptible.

Folks might nonetheless recall our discovery during the 60's of simple pleasures provided by nature. We troubled youths resoundingly rebelled against a growing materialism--as well as hypocritically authoritarian conformity--among hardy elders ( who had survived Depression and War). Now we have settled back, ironically, into a similarly mixed example for new generations--and the world.

Material temptations demand dramatic mitigation; mainly along Madison Avenue, of course. Everyone is degraded and insulted by disgusting ads addressing consumers (and voters) like excitable children: as red meat ripe for marketing techniques.

A tougher-minded people would greet "hard-sale" hucksters and "hidden persuaders" with refusal to buy the products they hawk.

At least one current TV ad does conceivably herald a trend toward more artful productions--promoting products with good will--appealing to common aesthetic tastes. One company is promoted with song ("What a beautiful world") and classy camera impressions.

ENLIGHTENMENT

A "commercial" infusion of inspiring music and imagery throughout America might help realize John Dewey's vision--from RECONSTRUCTION IN PHILOSOPHY (enlarged ed. 1948)--about a day of awakening: when the gritty living of one's own life becomes a work of art.

Dewey's rather dry prose thereby came alive to foreshadow lessons learned by my generation--in the pivotal 60's--about spiritual aesthetics readily provided by nature. One Yale law professor named Charles Reich actually listened to the embattled youths. Around 1970 he compiled our lessons learned--about universal values common to all humanity--in THE GREENING OF AMERICA. (A Navajo Indian once told me that "green means peace.")

An associated prophesy was that the "betrayed" generation would disperse to retreats for natural reflection and emerge one day--perhaps around this turn of centuries--and deliver a message about human enlightenment: a glorious example for global Renaissance (the "highest phase" of modern revolutions).

Yes, we aroused "cultural" controversy; a leavening. We had heroes like Walt Whitman. He reportedly learned how to "pray" by blanking his mind at will. (Shut up and listen!) And Zorba the Greek. He probably influenced our "voice" in Bob Dylan's Tambourine Man (paraphrasing):

To dance along the lonely shore--with one arm wavin' free--
Beyond the reach of crazy sorrow . . .

Author Nikos Kzantzakis evidently elevated his friend Zorba to mythological dimensions--fulfilling Plato's visions of human adulthood--as a philosophical sovereign of himself.

From Zorba the Greek (1964)

© Jim McCord
July 27, 2004

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