Yes. We Americans are going through this phase of flailing emotion. Our standing in the world has been in decline for a while. People feel it, be in directly or abstractly, zeitgeist or whatever. People also can feel, though denial is a serious force, that their lifestyle—this "American lifestyle"—may be incompatible with true justice (social, environmental, socio-economic, etc). I think deep down people are in conflict with themselves, there is deep self-hatred as a result. Thus the extreme reaction to any criticism, of anything even remotely threatening their sense of identity, their ability to consume more and more to the whims of their appetite, etc.
And I'm not excluded. I am questioning everything I do, everything that I consume, and it is exhausting. If I was bent on defending everything I do, defending everything I consume, of course I would have a very defensive response to some "other" being critical or questioning my doings and choices and consumption behaviors.
I think deep down we all know that our selfishness, our individualism, our "economy" is anything but economical. It's wasteful, indulgent, and destructive.
It's sad. Because I see an opportunity to unite as one people, one humanity, in pursuit of a more balanced, more rewarding existence.
Oh, yeah, if you make fun of my idealism (again), Nat, I'm going to whoop your ass.
