In Marrying Absurd, Didion subtly mocks the essence of the Las Vegas wedding. She describes as insincere and sometimes even as a harsh joke. Joke or not, the Las Vegas shotgun marriage is a very popular option among those who cannot afford a large or flamboyant wedding. Las Vegas is a simple solution, offering fifteen of the world's twenty-five largest hotels. Also, the marriage could cost less than a simple couch, with some weddings under a hundred dollars. No time? You might want to head to the drive-thru wedding. It's fast and simple just like America's consumerist culture.
With many things in America being recreated around the ideal of speed and convenience, the genuineness and original intent are lost. With the creation of fast food restaurant and the drive-thru, Americans lost the time spent eating out with family and friends and the conversation at the dinner table. With the creation of video games where the player must think fast or die, Americans lost the deep thought process before making each decision. The obsession with speed is fast taking over America and with it the loss of genuineness.
Hey Annie!
ReplyDeleteI like how you came to the conclusion that Didion was trying to mock America's capitalistic obsession with speed and convenience and your example of drive thrus and their influence on having people not spend much time eating with their families. Recently, I got my driver's license and have gone crazy with going anywhere anytime and have consequently eaten out either by myself or with friends. Unfortunately, I've felt guilty about not eating with my mom who's along since my dad's still living in Texas. Maybe I should slow down and appreciate the things I had before I started driving. Great Post!
Hey Annie!
ReplyDeleteI liked how you talked about how the consumerist mindset of America leads to an obsession with speed. I loved how you said "The obsession with speed is fast taking over America and with it the loss of genuineness." I feel like your last sentence was beautifully constructed and really sums up your very agreeable stance on the issue of consumerism and speed. While I was reading your post, the association of speed and consumerism reminded me of the Great Gatsby and how speed leads to the death of others just like how speed leads to the death of genuineness the consumerist American society we all live in. Overall, excellent post this week! I look forward to reading more amazing thoughts from you next week! :D