Comments on: What the Obama and Palin Phenomena Say about American Culture

By: Andrés

Andrés — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 04:27:42 +0000

Good to hear from you. While my personal views on this would not be diffucult to guess, I wanted to write this in a way that allowed space for different interpretations to be valid. I am deeply worried about today’s political and cultural polarization where both sides seem to believe that there is nothing worth affirming about the other side.

By: John F. Raffensperger

John F. Raffensperger — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:34:08 +0000

Well said and beautifully written. You didn’t say so, but your conclusion does seem to match Obama’s vision far more than Palin’s. As does mine.

By: Andres

Andres — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:44:52 +0000

Ken -
Good to hear from you and thanks for your post. I am so deeply concerned about how polarized the US is right now. You know what they say about a house divided….
Give my best to your family.
-Andrés

By: Kenneth Maresco

Kenneth Maresco — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:54:40 +0000

Andres,

Nice piece of writing. You really have crossed a lot of bridges with your life.

Edifying and provoking.

Gratefully,

Kenneth Maresco

By: Bill Kamper

Bill Kamper — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:37:29 +0000

Very insightful perspective. Enjoyed the read. Politicians have always used myths of American identity and the past to propagate a murky view American Cultural ideals. That, I guess, is to be expected. What do you think media’s role is regarding the continued polarization of views into two simplified camps of American Political Identity and creating obstacles to inclusiveness? It seems one other mythology is that there has rarely been a time in American History that divergent and contensious views haven’t trumped a more cohesive and inclusive self-identity. Have we ever been inclusive culture or society?

By: Michael Lee Stallard

Michael Lee Stallard — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:55:05 +0000

Andres,

Beautiful post. I couldn’t agree more. Your concluding thoughts reminded me of the wonderful Ad Council advertisement “I am an America” that was developed by GSD&M. Have you seen it? Here’s the link to it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_5XIOn68Hk

One of the many things I love about America is its diversity. It’s wonderful that people from all around the world have come here seeking freedom, equality and opportunity. America has been so fortunate to have so many immigrants who contribute their unique perspectives and experiences to America’s marketplace of ideas. It’s the extraordinary diversity of ideas and opinions that stimulate innovation. Although we are far from perfect and deviate from the right path from time-to-time, our overall trajectory toward inclusiveness is in the right direction.

Thank you for your inspiring and insightful work.

FYI, I’m looking forward to hearing your upcoming HCI webcast.

With best wishes and warmest regards,

Michael Lee Stallard