On Culture Wars

Recently, I’ve been rereading Agatha Christie books. Combined with my interest in watching historical channels – the ones where they talk about life, not dates – a thought came to mind. What are the roots of America’s perceived need to loudly export its culture all over the world?

So, historically, Great Britain (Empire at the time) had a strong class of aristocracy that was surprisingly abundant in members. They could make their own rules and do what people always do – decide who’s good, who’s bad and who’s ugly. Same thing was happening more or less all over Europe, with the major players being related, but Britain is what interests me here.

America separated. And the British Empire, after some time, came to terms with it. It took about a hundred years, which is quite mild for Britain.

And now this forgiven ‘wayward child’ was welcomed into the society again. Well, mostly. Somehow, America became rich. So England wasn’t opposed to fraternising with America. On their terms.

England still had aristocracy, still had lineages longer even than their debts. But debts were long too. And to allow themselves the indignity of rubbing elbows with the people who had so ignominiously separated themselves in the past, the mental gymnastics had to be done. They might have money, but we have titles, that sort of thinking.

And, of course, such an attitude couldn’t be concealed – if concealment had been attempted at all.

So the poor rich Americans became aware that they were lacking. In something that was pretty much impossible to achieve, though the attempts had been made. 

Anyway, what do they call it now? Generational trauma? Could be.

The feeling of inadequacy. Which had to break the bounds at some point, and transfer into a pushback. When one can’t play by the rules, one changes the rules. And now America rules the cultural sphere. With its own version of culture. 

Was that what it was? The intrinsic desire to show up to the people who'd snubbed (snobbed) them in the past? I don't know, but I like my little theory. It is as ridiculous as the result. Just a showcase for humanity’s inability to get along. 

All of this is silly. The hierarchy based on nothing but birth is silly. The sense of superiority is silly. Fashion is very-very silly. The inability of working for the common good is so silly and so tragic. 

And don’t listen to me, I know nothing.