VAGABOND post-class 2/25

The fantasy world we know as Las Vegas and Disneyland poses a threat to our culture because of how predominantly people fail to realize the way it alters the way we think and perceive the world.

America and other Euro-centric countries always believed they're "better," hence they usually do not bother to learn a second language and expect other to conform to their social norms (as proven by many communication scholarly - I'm not hating. And it is also shown through centuries of assimilating others to be like "us.") Maybe this kind of psychological approach works because according to de Saussure, your value is determined by what others deem fit. Therefore when you're charging hundreds of dollars per ticket, you're putting a price on what is considered "privileged" hence people around the world think of "Disney" as "American" and if you've been to Disney, you've seen America whereas if you go to Yellowstone National Park, you might not even make a mere impression during your story telling.

In Disney and Vegas, this is one of the places where customer service is priority because people shed big bucks just to enjoy a time in the happiest place on Earth - where as K.Kriggle puts it, you forget about poverty, hunger, and war. Similar to fine dining, you expect everything done and prepared to a t because of the price tag.

I agree with Clem because those who are not privileged enough to even leave their hometown/state, will never get to experience "life" as we know it. We know know the "Paris" in Vegas and Epcot are not essentially Paris. But the replica of it makes us think we know when we don't. The replica doesn't have the essence of the authentic - it is no where same in actual size or function and it clearly does not "represent" the French culture. Yet we are able to see Harajuku girls and think of Japan when Japan clearly has different "culture" various across cities - similar to America and the difference from coast to coast.

What I'm trying to say is: I see the threat as Clem pointed out. I believe that those who may never have the opportunity to see the world would ultimately make the claim, "uh, well yes, I love Chinese food and the oriental atmosphere" when they barely understand the culture and believe that ethnic Chinese cuisine gives out fortune cookies when, in fact, they don't. At least not in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, or Taiwan. Similar to what we said in class, people think of Italy and their mind conjures up the image of Venice. However, the problem is essentially how Rome is different from Venice, Florence, Naples, Tuscany, and Milan...