Observations Pt. XI

Mirror

In America, two major values are appearance and technological progress. Yet, our means for deciding whether or not we have a good appearance is based on quite a "primitive" item. A slab of reflective material, hung on a wall. If it falls, it cracks and can't be used again. It is strange that we trust something so simple, so fragile, to carry the weight of the duty of telling us how we look.

Red lights
Colors, sometime long ago, have been given meanings that everyone (except the color blind perhaps) know and recognize. And to what an extent! There is no hesitation in remembering what a red light or a green light means, yet many people still can't tell their rights from their lefts without flexing their thumb and pointer fingers. The meanings of these color symbols have become so natural that they are used without a second thought. Is it simply something we've been taught? Or is there more to it, something innate? Do we associate the color blue with sadness because we were taught, because water is blue, or simply because we were made with this connection set in place?


American Culture
Visiting a college in Georgia made me realize what an interesting place it is we live in. Not only in its natural beauty, but also in its culture. California is much further from the historic "American" culture than we realize, compared to other states, especially in its secularism. In such rural southern states, Christianity is still much more the status quo, regardless of whether or not people truly have faith. It's no surprise to see road markers for where the nearest church is, stores and restaurants to be closed on Sunday, Christian radio stations playing in public places, and more. They are details, but definitely show something about a culture that this part of California most definitely  does not embrace.