Nacirema

"Body Ritual among the Nacirema" points out the absurdity of American culture. However, it is important to understand that the piece is only an exercise in perspective, not a more objective or more correct way of viewing our society. First off, the criticism is aimed only at Americans, yet our crimes occur across the entire world. This disdain for America seems to be a prevalent mindset. It's true that you can measure objectively good and bad things about our country, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the general sense that America is a bad place, which is completely subjective and cannot be proven with facts (or rather, it can be proven and disproved with such ease that neither has significance.) Just because "Body Ritual among the Nacirema" alters your perspective doesn't mean it gave you a more correct perspective. The goal isn't to tell you the truth, it's to teach you a lesson in subjectivity. 

So if you read about the Nacirema, and come away with the realization that Americans aren't as smart as you used to think, you're missing the point. The point is that whatever conclusion you come to about Americans, you reached it because of who you are and where you're at in your life, not because you are correct. Everyone's opinions vary, and nobody is special enough to be more correct than everyone else. Respect other peoples opinions, because your opinions are just as invalid as theirs are.

Allow me to play you out...