America’s identity has been squished, poked, and disfigured by forces of greed, power, and corruption. Thus, our image to the world is one of violence, faith over science and reason, and money over the rights of people and our environment.
What builds a nation? I remember when I was in High School and I read about the first McDonald's opening up in Russia in 1990. It was the first US chain there. We were bringing our culture abroad, and as a kid I was proud. Just recently, it made the news that the first Hooters was erected (pun intended) in Beijing, China. When I was younger, I was proud. Today, I am embarrassed. Countries take great pride in their culture and its image abroad, humble or great, and the best we can give is McDonald's and Hooters?
The myths of Adam & Eve tasting the fruit of knowledge, the people-powered Prometheus seeking fire from Mt. Olympus, and Daedalus crafting wings with his son Icarus to escape the Minotaur’s maze all have one thing in common. The belief that the status quo has never been good enough and that knowledge, creativity, and innovation are human pursuits worth supporting and fighting for. Dreams, ideas and how we transform them into reality are what make civilization possible.
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