Modern American Culture and Individualism

The 20th century is considered to be a money culture. Materialism, a devotion to making money and to having a good time are all products of a money making culture. All of technology is controlled by an interest in private profit (Dewey, p15). Sigmund Freud and John Dewy both see this day in age as a time devoted to the “scientific revolution” and profit from this drastic advance in mankind. Civilization, as we know it today, is largely to blame for the misery of the common people. The American people no longer have a sense of individualism. Luxuries have become a necessity instead of a vice and materialism has become a way of life. The characteristics of the modern world surround the importance of the attainment of material possessions and the conformity of its citizens. It also coincides with the destructive nature of mankind.

According to Dewey, society is divided into two classes: the working class and the intellectual class. The modern age consists of a “spirit of progress which consists of a manifest of change in fashions, invention of new machines, and the power of overproduction” (Dewey, p6). Now, these are all things we take for granted as society has developed into the “religion of prosperity” (Dewey, p6). Worth has become a measurement of how well one is capable of holding one’s own and get ahead. It is a tough and competitive market which has been established in our American culture and in order to be successful a person must be willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. It is a matter of the becoming “economically fit,” so to speak; it is in this method of survival which becomes the struggle for existence.

What makes me laugh though is the concept I personally hold very true to be a valid part of what makes us human, of something that we all share in common, is the drive to attain happiness and avoid suffering. Yet, the American culture thrives upon gaining any sort of personal advantage driven by an ambition to succeed at any human cost. Ironically, owning a "selfish creed" is frowned upon. People "seek power, success and wealth for themselves and admire them in others, … There are few men from whom their contemporaries do not withhold admiration, although their greatness rests on attributes and achievements which are completely foreign to the aims and ideals of the multitude” (Freud, p10). This brings up the first ...

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... presented to our society (by science and technology) instead of an extravagant use of these advances. Also, though we can not say for certain what the future holds, I personally find that the "younger generation" showing an interest in the arts presents a hopeful break out from this current material mode. It is also very important then for adults to be enriched in the arts to influence youth. I do agree with Dewey when he says that it is "impossible for a highly industrialized society to attain a wide spread high excellence of mind when the multitude are excluded from occasions for the use of thought and emotion in their daily occupations" (Dewey, p64-65). I truly believe that every occupation has an effect on an individual and ultimately changes their outlook on life.

I feel fortunate to be given some support to explore an occupation that does fulfill an intellectual and emotional drive (I'm talking about acting). The occupations delivered through the arts can aid in creating a better society. I personally feel a sense of purpose in my life and it strikes me in a way to deliver these messages and help transcend some of what is destroying our sense of individualism.