What does “fun” say about us?

I love football. I cannot wait to watch the epic gladiator-esque showdown between the Caroline Panthers and Denver Broncos. The topic was brought up in one of my other classes about what the Super Bowl—or football in general—means for the American culture. Don’t get me wrong. All of the players on that field have spent countless hours practicing, watch tape, talking strategy, and memorizing complicated plays. They are all incredible athletes that most people can only aspire to be like, but they are exchangeable pawns in the greater scheme. The average career for any professional American football player is 3.3 years (the NFL claims that the average hovers around 6 years). According to the Head Health Management Systems, 39% of consecutive concussions in the NFL lead to permanent brain damage and psychological harm is becoming a larger issue. This all goes back to the question of what does this say about the American culture.

I went to Las Vegas for the first time this weekend and was amazed. Bright flashing lights, men in suits and tuxedos, advertisements for gentlemen’s clubs, jackpots, and loud music put up the façade that this is all for YOU. It looks as though all of this has been set in motion for our pleasure and entertainment. This is one of the most well-known tourist destinations on the face of the earth, and we have it right here in our backyard. I noticed, under all of the bright lights, there were sad, tired faces everywhere. No matter how much Vegas tried to portray the message of “This is fun. This is all for you,” it seemed to be all about them. The Las Vegas machine runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days each year. Even though we know that this place is all about casinos, bars, and clubs making money, we still flock to it in enormous masses. What does this say about the American people?

I found many similarities between the Super Bowl and Las Vegas. The Super Bowl is something that you cannot miss. Our society will not allow you to miss it. Friends will have parties, bars will be showing it, and most people will talk about it weeks in advance. We are pressured to watch men nearly kill themselves while gigantic companies spoon-feed us their products. Vegas parallels this. It invites us into casinos and bars, hikes up prices to astronomical levels, and tells us that this is fun. This is what you want to do.

Personally, I think this is all great as long as I am aware of what is happening. If I sit back, watch the game, and realize that this is a big marketing opportunity, I will be ok. If I am aware that this game is promoting an idealized version of men smashing into each other and risking their future heal for massive paychecks, then I am a step ahead. When it comes to Vegas, it is important to understand that this is a business and taking my money is the name of the game.

I find it unsettling when I begin to idolize the players and the commercials. The players begin to look like heroes, and the commercials tell me that there is something missing in my life and it is their product. Las Vegas tells me that I can become a millionaire and live the life I have always wanted. I think that these two American icons expose the openly greedy exploitative agendas of the companies that rule our country. Unless we are aware of what is happening, these great American icons makes us into mindless pawns suckling at their teat. As long as we understand and accept what we are buying into, we are slightly avoiding the stereotype that Americans are unintelligent and greedy. I sometimes find myself getting caught up in the messages of the Super Bowl and Las Vegas, but I remember that this is the point of the projections. Now I wonder how long this awareness will last and will there come a day when America cannot tell when we are perpetuating our own stereotypes?

-James Shalvoy