Feb 10, 2020
The fantastic 5020 on the run! #johndeere #traktor #tractor #johndeere #bigamerica https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Zk32lldJb/?igshid=xa83so21szje
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The fantastic 5020 on the run! #johndeere #traktor #tractor #johndeere #bigamerica https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Zk32lldJb/?igshid=xa83so21szje
On Big America
by Pamela
I’ve had multiple conversations in the past 24 hours with successful 30-something upper middle class white people who have expressed deep regret and existential angst about the state of their being. Well, you say, everyone has a midlife crisis of some sort. No one’s life turns out exactly how they expect. This is universal!
But I am here to argue that it is not universal. The malaise, melancholia, and general ennui of a wide swath of United States citizens are perpetuated by the hovering and unrelenting presence of ‘Big America’.
Big America is what I call the confluence of ideology and cultural norms maintained by mainstream society in the continental United States. The term ‘big’ refers to a holistic, encompassing view of something so gigantic and obtuse that we can’t even begin to define its boundaries or interconnections. It is something that is beyond the reach and scope of change by any one individual (see: Big Pharma, Big Oil, etc.). The networks are so pervasive and complex in their intersectionality that it is difficult to reduce it to simpler terms. But in the same regard, any native has an acute understanding of what this means without much explanation. See, you’ve already got it.
The term ‘America’ is purposely irreverent and meaningful at the same time. As we all know, America is the term for the two connected continents in the Western hemisphere, North America and South America. This includes some 916 million people who could all adopt the moniker ‘American’. Although it is vast land mass of over 16 million square miles covering slightly less than 30% of the planet’s entire surface, the term ‘America’ has been co-opted by citizens of the United States of America without any regard for the rest of the inhabitants of the American continents, and with little or no shame or remorse. It is really the last part, no shame or remorse, which defines the attitude of ‘Americans’.
It could be that despair and despondence endure throughout time in other cultures and within gender, class, and ethnicity, but I believe that the American experience of disquiet anxiety is exceptional. Because it’s America. Go big or go home. Even in your despair. Yes, America is superior in its doldrums, worthier of its weakness, preeminent in its distress. Even our wealthy are miserable. It is never enough. Because of Big America.
Let me explain. Big America is primarily based on the capitalist ideology that you can sell your labor, either as an employee or entrepreneur, for money, which you use to provide for your basic needs, and if you have any left over, to consume everything. But, in Big America, work is at the forefront. And not just any work, hard work. Hard, long, arduous work that leads to success. If it doesn’t lead to success, i.e. envious job title, wealth, lots of possessions, you are a failure. Over 99% of Americans are failures. But Big America doesn’t care. Big America wants you to work. All the time. Just keep working and you might get there. You hate your job; well at least you make money. Work longer and harder and you will make more money. Oh, the only job available is 1000 miles from everyone you know and love? It’s worth it to move there to make more money. The job will offer 2 weeks paid vacation, but you better not take it or people will think you are not committed to the work.
Americans are, by large, miserable because they cannot live up to the expectations of Big America. Humans cannot work all the time without respite. In the long run, even fulfilling basic needs does not make you happy. In Big America, if you do not sell number one records, pitch for the Cardinals, or have your own Netflix comedy special, you are a failure. It is not enough to exist. You must excel. The idea of Big America is built on greatness. The value is placed on wealth, no matter the means to that wealth.
Where does that leave the rest of us? The poor, the working class, the middle class, the “I make six figures and still hate my life” class? It leaves us downcast and somber under the guise of Big America. Trudging along, alone. Giving up hope for excellence. Resigned to mediocrity.
That is, until we have children… maybe our kids will be great!
All hail, Big America!
January 6, 2016
I have to say we were very lucky with the people that we were staying with in Prague. They were amazing people and we both got on with them so well. It was so nice of them to take us to a place not many tourists get the chance to go to (well because it's very illegal). This truly was one of my favorite experiences to date and the place was so beautiful. They call it 'Big America'. - Prague August 2015
I LOVE IT! #bigamerica #burger (Taken with instagram)