AUDE SAPERE

AUDE SAPERE
Curiosity begins as an act of tearing to pieces or analysis. Samuel Alexander

Friday, September 17, 2010

The Foreign Country's Dream

     Around the globe people are desperately seeking to have what is known as the American lifestyle. They are willing to commit themselves to chasing after this so-called "American Dream." Countries that are struggling to barely maintain their position in the global race see America as the ideal for what "comfortable living" should be. It is interesting to note that while Americans know that they are in the one of the wealthiest nations on the face of this planet, they are dissatisfied with what they have and find themselves constantly desiring more. This makes it almost impossible for countries much lower on the scale of wealth to keep up, and in spite of this they still strive to meet this standard. The question is why do these other countries feel as though the American way of living is a model for their own quality of living? The problem is convergence, which simply means that people around the world people believe the American lifestyle is the highest quality of life they could ever hope to attain.

   Countries that are so adamant about this would include developing countries that want to be modernized. Asian cultures, such as China, find America to be the epitome of success. Other countries such as Japan, however, see American culture as an ordinary everyday part of life. The truth of the matter is that if other countries were really aware of the amount of water use and carbon production this country is responsible as well the level of excessive consumerism, they would probably think twice about aspiring to be like this place. An American lifestyle is one lived in wastefulness and fear; we do not realize what we have until its all gone and then find ourselves cowering to find solutions. Countries that have next to nothing don't have these worries because if they lost everything it really wouldn't make much of a difference as opposed to Americans who would just lose their minds at the very thought.

     So why do other countries see America as a mirror of what they would like their own country to emulate? They see America as a country that is secure and firm in what they have. They see opportunities blooming left, right, and center, and all this just in comparison to what they currently have. Instead of breaking the mold and simply using the American lifestyle as a footstool for a completely new way of living they find comfort in reaching this level and remaining where they think they've found the absolute best. On the contrary these countries that want to follow in America's footstep provide some valid reasons why they feel American society provides and fosters a more successful environment. Our educational system is much different from foreign ones and it could be that this difference permits our students to excel better than those in areas where education is valued but not easily accessed. Also our capitalistic system, before our current economic situation, proved to be effective in maintaining economic stability. Our technological advancements have also placed us on a different level of efficiency and productivity. The problem with convergence, however,  is that once these other countries reach their goal they lose what makes their culture unique, all in an attempt to be included in what is considered the modern world. Americans have a certain quality of living but it doesn't mean it is the best quality of life. We provide opportunities, benefits, and freedoms that most countries do not but at the same time we have so many ignored problems that never get addressed, and despite all the knowledge we are supposed to have there still aren't solutions. Convergence include multiple facets that could deem it either a positive or negative thing but I feel that there isn't one country, on this earth at least, that can be considered a model country to follow. 

Thursday, September 9, 2010

A Wanderer Such As I

     ""Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."" Ecclesiastes 1:2


     With words like these it is no wonder that the writer of Ecclesiastes sought to understand the true value of a life lived on Earth. It is a challenge people of modern times face daily as we find ourselves overwhelmed and confused in trying to find purpose and direction for our lives. We go through numerous cycles of introspection and self-searching in order to understands ourselves better. We try to piece together the reasons why we exist and how our piece fits in with the whole puzzle. And soon enough we find ourselves right in the category of "wanderer" like everyone else. It begins to seem impossible to find clarity and understanding. But just when we think there isn't any hope, examples of those who have taken this path once before are there to not only encourage us but let us know that there is a place of peace in all our wanderings. 


     A perfect example of such a wanderer would be Doug Bachelor. Raised an atheist in an extremely wealthy and well known family in California, Doug had it all. However, growing up he didn't know what it was like to truly be loved by his preoccupied and career oriented parents. He constantly changed schools and engaged in criminal activity at an early age. When Doug began living on his own he started to become dissatisfied with his lifestyle and soon realized that there had to be something better in life, something that would give him value. When he began his search he started to look into various world religions in hopes of finding something that he could agree with. He encountered some very strange ideas and practices but in all his searching, he was sincere in trying to find God. When he had reached his limits and began living in a cave, running around naked, and eating from dumpsters, he stumbled upon a bible where he read it and gave his heart to God. It reminds me of how Qoheleth describes the vast amount of riches, power, and fame he had and how none of it made him genuinely happy. Both men were filled with such emptiness from the things this world has to offer but upon realizing that there is no greater calling for men on earth but to "fear God and keep His commandments," an instant awakening takes place. 


     Another example of someone who shares this type or journey would be Malcolm X. Malcolm, being raised in the heat of racism, came from a family where black pride was strongly encouraged as well as self reliance. In spite of this his parents treated him differently from his siblings because of his lighter complexion. He endured a rough childhood having lost his father and having his mother placed in a mental institution. His aspirations of becoming a lawyer were discouraged by a teacher who told him that that wasn't a realistic goal for a "nigger." He moved around numerous times to various foster homes without finding a place where he felt truly accepted. This resulted in his involvement in hustling and other criminal activity which caused him to be sentenced in prison for eight to ten years. Throughout this time Malcolm began to undergo the questions of his purpose on earth, how he could change the world, and more importantly how could he change himself. Unlike Pastor Bachelor and his turn to Christianity, Malcolm turns toward Islam in hopes of finding answers. The Islamic nation welcomed him and provided him the answers he needed in order to turn his life around becoming one of the most influential African Americans in history. Though I may not necessarily agree with everything Malcolm X stands for I can understand his passion and the hardships he's faced and how throughout his life he has experienced a great deal of trials but has not never let those things define him or what he could be. 


      "So what does this all mean?", as the questions the author of Ecclesiastes presents still looms in my head. In my humble college student opinion I would agree with Qoheleth knowing that all the worlds pleasures are but vanity. However this I do know, that once we have found the one who created us, all our wandering will cease because it is then we would know the direction and purpose for our lives regardless of where we've been. He knows where we are headed and in Him we find meaning.