Sincerity

Okay, I've just spent the last three days in the middle of an American crowd, and answering retail-type questions as it relates to "art". I have to keep this context in mind as I write, but, when people really have to ask why the rest of the world hates the United States, then they really should sit, and take in the American public. It is a complex phenomenon that allows you to meet some of the nicest people while at the same time being forced into being subordinate to them. I think this is the thesis statement of this journal. Americans do relentlessly attempt to manipulate themselves into more authoritative cultural figures, and that is offensive to cultures that are not geared toward success driven needs.

I think it is important to know that manipulation is complex. Manipulation can occur through positive and negative experiences, thus making behaviors towards other people both positive and negative. The American culture demands that people manipulate other people on a growing relative scale that is becoming unbecoming.

What I noticed is a general lack of sincerity. I can be as charming as I need to be to get what I want, or I can be as much of a hardass as I need to be to get what I want. People will form opinions about me based on those and any other behaviors I need to show that will get me what I want out of a situation or circumstance. It seems at times that the American culture never stops attempting to get what it wants individually. Collectively, that makes up a culture that lacks sincerity towards other people. Maybe, that's what the world hates.

(c) kenneth martin