America’s Fascination with Itself

Since I’ve been home, I’ve been plunged head first into the maelstrom of news and coverage regarding the upcoming election and the economic crisis.  When I was overseas, I followed the election tangentially.  I read the coverage.  I talked to people about who they thought would win (most people in Spain said McCain and thought Obama was a “phony”).  I had a very hands off and distant relationship with the events.  It was nice.

Now that I’m home, I feel like I’m constantly bombarded with news.  Practically none of it’s useful.  Update:  no change.  Update on the Update:  McCain announces no change.  Breaking News:  Obama confirms there is no update.

Is there much difference between the frothing at the mouth coverage of presidential elections and the paparazzi that followed Britney Spears around for months?

What has changed most since being home, is the insular nature of the news.  I don’t hear about the rest of the world anymore.  I wonder what is happening with the Treaty of Lisbon or Georgia.  It’s strange to feel like the rest of the world has dropped away.  While we’re hyperventilating over Palin (either for or against), there is a whole wide world of things going on, that are likely more important than what kind of animal with lipstick she represents (or doesn’t).

When I was overseas, I heard from a lot of trash talking about Americans. We don’t travel. False:  we travel as much as Europeans, but when they take a three hour flight their not in Florida, they’re 2 countries away.  We are monolingual. True, but not fair, Europeans have access and exposure where we don’t.  We’re stupid. True, but so are you.  Dumbass 20 year olds from any country are still dumbasses.  Trust me, that accent doesn’t make you waking me up at 2 AM “charming”.  We’re fat. Yeah probably, but we’re more products of over processed foods than plain lazy.

Obviously, I will defend the US all day long.  I don’t think we’re a fraction as bad as our reputation.  We’re a big country, it’s complicated, and we’re not that different.

But I didn’t hear anyone say, “American’s don’t care about the rest of the world.”

I should have.  It’s a valid complaint.  In every country I visited, people knew who Obama and McCain were.  Do you know the leaders of European countries?  Italy?  Ireland?  The British Prime Minister? (No it’s not Tony Blair).

Sarah Palin doesn’t know, although I’m sure she’s studying up.  She didn’t know Kissinger’s stance on negotiating with Iran.  Do you?  Does it affect us?  Well, only if you think building a nuclear weapon is something we should watch.

This is just my observation after living abroad for a few months and being out of the loop.  I’m sure it’ll all feel “normal” soon enough, and I can go back to wondering what kind of cereal I should eat this morning.

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