“Dance With Me, I Want To Be Your Partner, Can’t You See?”

Last week, Britney Spears was big news. Actually, Britney Spears was huge news. Some people were surprised, others outraged and still others were nonchalant.

As we have noted, American culture is often mistaken for American values.

…We go around the world touting democracy- and we display the fruits of our freedoms as shiny trinkets, as if somehow, democracy can be reduced to an ideology of materialism and consumption. Fast food, movies, and other ostentatious displays of consumerism are used to bedazzle and impress those to whom such luxuries are unknown…

The Romans exported roads and public works. The Greeks exported academies and philosophy. America exports jeans, fried chicken and Paris Hilton. Not exactly the best way to define what are American values.

We have brought freedom to hundreds of millions. We have inspired freedom in hundreds of millions more. We need to remember that what has inspired the world are American values. We also need to remember that American culture does not represent American values.

In fact, America is the first nation in history that has elevated entertainers- and the entertainment community- to an unprecedented and elevated status. While we are aware of the authors of Roman comedies and Greek tragedies, in out culture it is the actors and entertainers that are recognized.

It is true that in our culture we are aware of the politicians and princes. We bandy about the names of the great thinkers and philosophers, writers and academics. In the end, however, it is on the entertainers that we bestow our highest accolades.

It is hard to believe, but entertainers have eclipsed in prominence and recognition, those that have changed the world we live in, with their ideas or their inventions. There was a time- and an understanding- that entertainment provided relief, or break from doing the really serious things. It was understood that entertainers and entertainment offered up a few moments respite from the responsibilities and obligations of tending to one’s family or community.

Things have changed. The court jester has assumed the role and wardrobe of king. Pretend heroes have become real heroes- and the media serves the masters of illusion, bestowing credibility on those whose chosen profession and expertise lies in creating and maintaining that illusion.

Those who create and direct the fantasy are now creating and directing the shape of what is American culture. Those who play heroes on the stage have become heroes- and believe in their own invincibility. Those caught up in the make believe are drawn into the fantasy world. Many Americans are fixated on who will be awarded the title of American Idol, or who will win the Emmy or the Academy Award. As legions of Americans in the armed forces are awarded medals for bravery or gallantry, without the benefit of TV coverage or other kind of recognition, the narcissistic values of the nation are being defined by entertainers. It is the absurd and mindless have become meaningful. Chances are most Americans can name the Academy Award for Best Actor, Best Actress or Best Film. It is less likely that they are able to name the recipients of the Medal of Honor.

Instead of recognizing and acknowledging the efforts of those who have toiled for decades in the search for a cure or those that have labored to benefit others, we have elevated some of the most damaged and flawed individuals in society. Divorce, substance abuse and out of control entertainers are warmly welcomed into our homes as if they would have no influence on own values or the values of easily impressionable children.

We have allowed much of our culture to defined by selfishness, not selflessness. Indulgence and not sacrifice is now the message and vanity now trumps virtue. The entertainment community and the entertainers are asking that we dance with them instead of living in the real world. Is it any surprise that so many people around the world consider Americans shallow and boorish? They look at our society and see entertainment elevated to center stage. Images of entertainers testifying in front of Congressional Committees are broadcast, even as professors and experts are ignored by the media.

In the end, it is the media that have enabled the entertainers and the entertainment community. It is the media that have given credibility to the court jesters and it is the media that provides a voice (and center stage recognition) to the those entertainers that share their political agenda. The media have chosen to elevate the court jesters.

For another in depth and thoughful look into these ideas, see Gagdad Bob's Know Your Caste, in which he discusses the topsy turvey state of affairs and priorities that have been promulgated and nurtured by the media and entertainment communities.

Our future is threatened not only by terrorists. We are also threatened from within.