[Patrick N.]

I need to write a short paper on an aspect (any and of my own choosing) of South American "popular culture." The topic is so uninteresting to me that I am at a loss as to what to write about.

Since this forum is full of so many very bright people I thought I would see if anyone had any ideas.

What aspect of South American "popular culture," if any, would be interesting to an Objectivist?

[A.West]

The interesting question I have about S. American pop culture is wondering what aspect of its culture is most to blame for the economic backwardness of the region. I've guessed in the past that the Spanish legal code and Catholic religion were to blame, as this has tended to correlate with economic relative underperformance.

[Scott_Connery]

Politics might be interesting, and I think that counts. Most countries are run by tin pot dictators, and you could write about what part of their culture causes this.

Of possible interest to this is el Movimiento Libertario.

Edited to Add: If your teacher is a Spanish teacher or any sort of latin american specialist, your grade will suffer if you criticize the culture. Every single teacher I have ever had like that thought latin america was the greatest thing ever and hated criticims of it.

[The Durande]

Patrick N., on Dec 7 2004, 10:49 PM, said:

I need to write a short paper on an aspect (any and of my own choosing) of South American "popular culture." The topic is so uninteresting to me that I am at a loss as to what to write about.

Since this forum is full of so many very bright people I thought I would see if anyone had any ideas.

What aspect of South American "popular culture," if any, would be interesting to an Objectivist?
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I would say almost none. But, South American dancing is quite a phenomenon. It is popular worldwide. And deservedly so. If a couple is good at it, it makes even average looking people attractive. It is very positive and lively. Not a very deep topic though.

[Patrick N.]

The Durande, on Dec 7 2004, 07:59 PM, said:

I would say almost none.  But, South American dancing is quite a phenomenon.  It is popular worldwide.  And deservedly so.  If a couple is good at it, it makes even average looking people attractive.  It is very positive and lively.  Not a very deep topic though.
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This idea sounds promising. Thank you.

[Patrick N.]

Scott_Connery, on Dec 7 2004, 07:57 PM, said:

Politics might be interesting, and I think that counts. Most countries are run by tin pot dictators, and you could write about what part of their culture causes this.

Of possible interest to this is el Movimiento Libertario.

Edited to Add: If your teacher is a Spanish teacher or any sort of latin american specialist, your grade will suffer if you criticize the culture. Every single teacher I have ever had like that thought latin america was the greatest thing ever and hated criticims of it.
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The paper is for a 200 level history class. In another history class with the same instructor I have already contrasted Mesoamerican religion with Greek philosophy, never hiding my horror at the Mesoamerican practices nor my admiration for the Greeks. I think I was just lucky to get an instructor who is not obsessed with political correctness.

[Patrick N.]

A.West, on Dec 7 2004, 07:54 PM, said:

The interesting question I have about S. American pop culture is wondering what aspect of its culture is most to blame for the economic backwardness of the region. I've guessed in the past that the Spanish legal code and Catholic religion were to blame, as this has tended to correlate with economic relative underperformance.
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Latin America is so steeped in collectivism and mysticism that I am hardly surprised they are so backwards. It is very unfortunate.

[BurgessLau]

The Durande, on Dec 7 2004, 07:59 PM, said:

[...] South American dancing is quite a phenomenon. [...] It is very positive and lively.  Not a very deep topic though.
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Patrick,

Any item of popular culture is subject to philosophical detection, if you have the resources and time available.

For anyone not familiar with the procedure, see Philosophy: Who Needs It, Ch. 2, "Philosophical Detection."

This is the procedure Leonard Peikoff used, under Ayn Rand's close supervision, to research and write Ominous Parallels. He briefly describes the procedure on pp. 143-144.

To get started in your thinking, you might contrast the movements and dress of women in South American dancing -- say, in the hotspots of Rio -- compared to women in Iran.

Is there any difference that has philosophical implications?

[Patrick N.]

BurgessLau, on Dec 7 2004, 08:43 PM, said:

Patrick,

Any item of popular culture is subject to philosophical detection, if you have the resources and time available.

For anyone not familiar with the procedure, see Philosophy: Who Needs It, Ch. 2, "Philosophical Detection."

This is the procedure Leonard Peikoff used, under Ayn Rand's close supervision, to research and write Ominous Parallels. He briefly describes the procedure on pp. 143-144.

To get started in your thinking, you might contrast the movements and dress of women in South American dancing -- say, in the hotspots of Rio -- compared to women in Iran.

Is there any difference that has philosophical implications?
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Iran vs. Rio is quite a contrast! I would say the philosophical implication is one of hatred of life vs. passion for life.

I think I'll write about South American dancing. It's something worth spending time thinking and writing about, rather than the more depressing aspects of South American culture.

[argive99]

I have spent considerable time in Rio as well as other parts of Brazil and South America. I have contemplated at length the why's of Latin Culture. I'll say this right off the bat, in many ways, Latin people are more fun loving and high spirited than North American caucasians. The dancing that was previously mentioned is but one example. In South America, even casual dancers seem like professionals compared to most "gringos". And even the sexuality in the way they dance is far greater than their American counterparts. Even such things as dress codes seem more natural and sexual. Now alot of this has to do with climate I'm sure, but there is an elegance to the way middle class and higher latinos dress that, again, is lacking in the average North American.

If I had to get deeper, I would say (provisionaly) that Catholocism is a major reason for both the politcal statism rapant throughout the region and *also* the livlier social lives led by the people. Let me explain this apparant contradiction. Modern Catholocism, in practice, is actually far less oppressive of happiness than the dominant form of Christianity in America, which I believe has its roots in various forms of Calvinism. Catholocism allows for contrition, meaning in esssence that if you ask for forgiveness of your sins, in most cases, you get it. Thus, the hellfire and brimstone elements of the various Pietist movements is absent.

Its actually somewhat ironic, that a city (Rio) whose main sculptural attraction (known the world over), Corcavoda (Jesus Christ), is also the city known as one of if not the most sexual city in the world. On HBL sometime last year, there was a discussion of how Catholic Europeans tend to be much more joyful and happy (at least in their demeanor) than Protestant Europeans (think the Italians versus the British). That same phenomenon exists throughout S. America. The people have alot of fun and yet economically they lag. This can be seen in the work ethic of many people as well. Nothing gets done and no one expects it to. Businesses have little incentive to excel and as a result most everything for sale is either North American, Asian (Japanese) or European.

Things are the exact opposite in America. American Protestentism (as well as the other non-Catholic sects) stress hard work, industriousness and saving while simultaneously discouraging happiness and joy. American Puritanism can be found everywhere in the culture, one obvious and recent example being the outrage over Janet Jackson's nipple. Now, there is obviously alot of sexuality in American culture too, but its constantly under attack and having to defend itself and in many ways seems so forced and unnatural.

I could go on for pages. Suffice it to say, I like many aspects of Latin culture; the people's friendliness, liveliness, desire to have fun, etc. I dislike the political climate which creates these bannana republics that have some nice tourist areas and then everything outside that is a war zone (ie the "Favelas" in Rio).

Lastly I would say that this is a tough subject to write on without having seen it firsthand. Cultural assessments are not something you can really get from a book.