Spanglish

In the 1920s United States society changed in an important way. In terms of style and culture we associate the "roaring 20's" with the bob haircut, the model T, and flapper dancing - in function it meant a shift from inward values and identity to outward expression of individualism. This portrayed sense of individualistic culture. In short, instead of devoting attention to internal character, Americans became more concerned with outward, popular appearance.

Our adoration and allegiance for national leaders for example shifted to national celebrities and athletes.

Recently I've observed that this trend has expanded, not reversed. Today it's the plight of the television programmer to keep up with the differentiated tastes of ages and demographic pie. Programs in 2009 are pitched to age groups as small as 1 year. This makes sense in light of the multi-source entertainment the .com industry is now providing.

My favorite line from the movie Spanglish, starring Adam Sandler, is delivered as an arrival of family identity for the protagonist, Flor, to her younger daughter,

"There ees no 'e-space' betweena us"

quipping at her 9-year old daughter who protested that she needed personal space during an argument. The mother was fighting for proximity to her daughter and against the lure of assimilation.

To me, the more I see our individualistic needs met, our personal space respected, our tastes differentiated in the public sphere - the less happy we become.