Perspectives:

1. Perspectives: Jasper JohnsFlag1967 An American Studying American Studies Not in America.

2. Diddily squat. • Janteloven… • Jantehaten…

3. Disclaimer/Waiver: • Opinions, sweeping generalizations, personal musings. • The opinions expressed today are mine alone, and do not reflect • nor should not be held against myself, my family, my nation or my g-d. Nor • Roskilde University. • Feel free to ask questions about anything.

4. "The so-called Beat Generation was a whole bunch of people, of all different nationalities, who came to the conclusion that society sucked." Amiri Baraka • American society sucks, sometimes… But it also sings. • Ned Flanders parents on a Simpson’s episode were portrayed as Beatniks. • ‘Spontaneous prose.’ Experimental poems. Spunky leaders, half-baked recipes.

5. 5 basic ingredients: Earnesty. – 1 cup. (Sometimes labeled under the brand “self-righteous”). Recipe for an American • Self-irony is a rare wine in USA. • Hollywood and the mass media take themselves seriously. Nobody else does. • Liberal celebrity pundits helped President Bush win re-election.

6. Recipe for an American 5 basic ingredients: Earnesty. – 1 cup. Space – 20 million liters. • Physical space – big homes, big cars, Big Macs • Personal space – 1-meter (invisible) defense field circling every American

7. Recipe for an American 5 basic ingredients: Earnesty. – 2 cups. • Space – 20 million liters. • Emotion & Insecurity – 500 kgs. • Reduction sauce: arrogance • To be American is to wear your heart on your sleeve. • Which, can cut off the flow of blood to the brain. • Example: Governor Schwarzenegger

9. “My Governor can beat up your Governor.” -actual bumper sticker given to Cabinet and Administration staff (by AS).February 2004 (Psst. He’s not that tall. I didn’t tell you).

10. Recipe for an American 5 basic ingredients: Earnesty. – 2 cups. Space – 20 million liters. Emotion & Insecurity – 500 kgs. Fatigue – a daily dose • Americans are tired. Hard-working, goal-oriented societal construct. • Milestone mentality. Life is a Marathon. • Success & achievement is often measured by “stuff.” Homes, cars, trophies, clothes. • Sensory overload: media messages, pop icons, pop art.

11. "Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward." - Kurt Vonnegut

12. Recipe for an American 5 basic ingredients: Earnesty. – 2 cups. Space – 20 million liters. Emotion & Insecurity – 500 kgs. Fatigue – a daily dose Identity/Individuality • Identity points: Me, Family, Nation, God.

13. American Identity Points Signs, icons & motifs • Me: “Catcher in the Rye.” Emphasis on personal rights and freedoms. • The Family Unit: Authors: David Sedaris, Augusten Burroughs, Jonathan Franzen. Nuclear families, sorority/fraternity, neighbors, adopted families, Sex & the City family. The Simpsons. • Nationalism: Dwindling patriotism, lack of introspection, partisan loyalty. • God: Red States. Religious plurality. Separation of Church & State. Inclusive/exclusive. “Faith” informing national optimism, and fear.

14. Tak.