The Rugged Individual - More Than Just An American Icon
John Wayne and Ronald Reagan had more in common than their short-lived football careers and more successful movie careers. Sure, they were both Republicans, but I'm not talking politics here, either.
Instead, both mean epitomized the American icon I refer to as the rugged individual.
This icon has been often seen in American media in the form of a cowboy, a soldier, a preacher, a steel worker, a baseball player, a cop and just about any other person set at odds against a foe (or foes) whose sole objective moves from mass destruction of the system to a mano-a-mano vendetta against the hero. It's a bit narcissistic when you think of it, but then again, aren't we?
We celebrate the rugged individual's guts, his sacrifice, his ability to endure, his courage. Most rugged individuals in our media stand for something and are willing to do whatever it takes to make things right in the world. All the responsibility rests on their shoulders.
We've had this figure of the "go it alone" American etched into our national consciousness for generations. And, to a large extent, there's much about that approach to life that has been reinforced by our experiences. Our history is filled with stories of people who take responsibility into their own hands and act. Whether it's Paul Revere or the Lone Ranger, Americans are taught from a very early age that we know what's right and have to do it or it will go undone.
The rest of the world is torn between admiring this quirk in the American approach to life and despising it.
You have to admit, this model cuts attempts to moderate, bide time and build consensus off at the knees. Sometimes our rush to judgment is either rewarded with the spoils of being the first into a situation or penalized with harsh criticisms from the folks we assumed would be right behind.
Then again, when you've so blatantly taken the point position on so many things, to suddenly shift to a more pensive, thoughtful approach can be fraught with difficulty, too. (Look at the criticism recently heaped on the USA and other western countries for taking three or four days to make an aid commitment for tsunami relief.)
I don't want to justify either approach. We are who we are. Americans are always going to be bold - we've had to be for the past five hundred years. But we need to develop a keen understanding and - if possible - appreciation for how other cultures approach similar situations. And, more importantly, we have to learn how to explain the differences between our cultures so our actions aren't misinterpreted and misunderstood.
As rugged individualists, we should know that if we don't take the time to do it, no one else will.
(c) 2005 - Brand Central Station, all rights reserved. For more information on Brand Central Station, please visit our website.
Instead, both mean epitomized the American icon I refer to as the rugged individual.
This icon has been often seen in American media in the form of a cowboy, a soldier, a preacher, a steel worker, a baseball player, a cop and just about any other person set at odds against a foe (or foes) whose sole objective moves from mass destruction of the system to a mano-a-mano vendetta against the hero. It's a bit narcissistic when you think of it, but then again, aren't we?
We celebrate the rugged individual's guts, his sacrifice, his ability to endure, his courage. Most rugged individuals in our media stand for something and are willing to do whatever it takes to make things right in the world. All the responsibility rests on their shoulders.
We've had this figure of the "go it alone" American etched into our national consciousness for generations. And, to a large extent, there's much about that approach to life that has been reinforced by our experiences. Our history is filled with stories of people who take responsibility into their own hands and act. Whether it's Paul Revere or the Lone Ranger, Americans are taught from a very early age that we know what's right and have to do it or it will go undone.
The rest of the world is torn between admiring this quirk in the American approach to life and despising it.
You have to admit, this model cuts attempts to moderate, bide time and build consensus off at the knees. Sometimes our rush to judgment is either rewarded with the spoils of being the first into a situation or penalized with harsh criticisms from the folks we assumed would be right behind.
Then again, when you've so blatantly taken the point position on so many things, to suddenly shift to a more pensive, thoughtful approach can be fraught with difficulty, too. (Look at the criticism recently heaped on the USA and other western countries for taking three or four days to make an aid commitment for tsunami relief.)
I don't want to justify either approach. We are who we are. Americans are always going to be bold - we've had to be for the past five hundred years. But we need to develop a keen understanding and - if possible - appreciation for how other cultures approach similar situations. And, more importantly, we have to learn how to explain the differences between our cultures so our actions aren't misinterpreted and misunderstood.
As rugged individualists, we should know that if we don't take the time to do it, no one else will.
(c) 2005 - Brand Central Station, all rights reserved. For more information on Brand Central Station, please visit our website.
posted by Mike Bawden at 10:34 PM
0 comments
links to this post
.jpg)
