Conditional Freedom

 America, the land of the free and the home of the brave. But are we really free? Is there something beyond our sight that keeps us enslaved? Eric Schlosser would answer with yes. America has a control over our minds and the minds of everyone we come in contact with. Abram, a brave soul who travels into Indonesia, experiences this phenomenon when he returns to the United States. By looking through the eyes of Schlosser, the causes of Americanization and brainwashing are shown, while the effects of these are experienced by Abram.

In order to apply Schlosser, Abram’s experience must be understood. When Abram visits rural Asia, he discovers a whole new world beyond what he is accustomed to. Reconnecting with nature spiritually awakens him. Abram stated, “I began to see and hear in a manner I never had before” (Abram p.15). He felt a power in nature. The world was not simply around him anymore, it was within him. He experienced several different incredible encounters with nature. After being trapped in a cave due to a storm, Abram had his first contact with the spirit world though spiders. He said, “Insects and spiders are not the only powers, or even central presence, in the Indonesian universe. But they were my introduction to the spirits, to the magic afoot in the land” (Abram p. 14). This dance of the spiders was only the beginning of Abram’s profound connection with nature. He found that he could sense an animal’s awareness and relate to them. Sadly, this bond would soon be broken. Abram returned to America, excited about the new knowledge he had gained. He hoped to bring his enlightenment to the populated world. However, he soon found that his connection with nature was fading away. A short time after returning, he admitted, “Very gradually, l began to lose my sense of the animals’ own awareness” (Abram p.19). He noticed that he could no longer connect with them like he wished to. Slowly, he started to think that maybe he was the wrong. This doubt showed through in his writing. “It became increasingly more apparent, from books and articles and discussions with various people, that other animals were not as awake and aware as I had assumed” (Abram p. 19). In other words, the more time Abram spent communicating with the American world, the farther he disconnected from the spiritual world. While undergoing this process, Abram knew something was happening to his mind, but he did not pin point it.

For instance, to understand the phenomenon his brain was going through, Abram could turn to Eric Schlosser. Schlosser wrote an essay titled “Global Realization”. In this work, he gives information on the Americanization and brainwashing process the United States has on individuals and societies. He uses the example of rural Germany, specifically the city of Plauen, to make his point. Schlosser recalls that, “For centuries, Plauen was a small market town where Vogtland farmers came to buy and sell goods” (Schlosser p. 526). Unfortunately, this wholesome country town, full of German culture, would soon be violated. Plauen suffered during World War I, World War II, and the Cold War. America saw an opportunity to plant their seed. Schlosser recounts, “The Berlin Wall fell. And a few months after that extraordinary event, marking the end of the Cold War, the McDonald’s Corporation announced plans to open its first restaurant in East Germany” (Schlosser p. 528). Plauen was weak and exhausted after their long struggle and McDonalds snuck in the back door. The fast food infection spread to the rest of Germany. Americanization followed close behind. Schlosser said, “The traditional German restaurant-serving schnitzel, bratwurst, knackwurst, sauerbraten, and large quantities of beer-is rapidly disappearing in Germany today” (Schlosser p. 531). This effect on Germany is an example of Americanization. The pure culture of the Plauen was damaged by the strong influence of the United States. Schlosser explains that the effect of this process is brainwashing. It is the same experience Abram under goes as he moves out of the waltz of nature and into the line dance of life.

Therefore, Schlosser helps us understand the brainwashing process Abram is going through when he returns to America. Abram said, “Although I wished to, I could no longer focus my awareness on engaging in their world as I had so easily done a few weeks earlier” (Abram p. 19). He is going through a process that is removing him from the spiritual connection he experienced in other countries. However, he seems to be ignorant of the full process his mind is undergoing. Schlosser could help him understand this effect through the city of Plauen. He notes, “Germany is not only the largest county in Europe, but also the most Americanized” (Schlosser p. 530). The same thing that happened to the county of Germany is happening to Abram as an individual. From an observer’s view, this is evident that the cause of Abram’s disconnection with nature is the brainwashing that Schlosser investigates.

Additionally, Schlosser showed that contact with American ideas results in the loss of culture. The cause of Abram’s brainwashed state is, as quoted previously, “from books and articles and discussions with various people” (Abram p. 19). At first, these do not seem like problems. However, Schlosser reveals them to be the cause of Abram’s disconnection. Schlosser recalls that kids in Germany are, “dressed in Nikes, Levis, and Tommy Hilfiger T-shirts” (Schlosser p. 532). These influences were all coming from influences in America. Similarly, the sources Abram is drawing from are all American sources. The opinions are filling his mind and slowly brainwashing him. Just as Plauen was drained of its authentic culture, so Abram is ripped from his connection with nature.

America might be the home of the brave, but it is because we dare to live in a society that can rule over our minds. All Americans are captive to the brainwashing effect of our culture. It becomes more evident when you take a pure subject and submerge it into the flood of common culture. Abram, like the city of Plauen, gets unceremoniously dunked into Americanization. Schlosser can help us to understand the effect on Abram’s mind. He is forced to leave the ballet of nature and enter the monotonous line dance of life.