The American ATM

American culture is all about money. I believe that money is the one cause for our impatience, individuality, and time-based culture. Everything revolves around money here. Time is money. We have to get things done as quick and efficient as possible or else we are wasting time. Also, we believe that we control our own destiny and have the opportunity to achieve great things because we get rewards. We would not be motivated if we didn't have rewards. Americans chose capitalism because there is competition and rewards. If we had a socialist economy, everyone's income would be equal and we wouldn't be motivated to be the richest and the best. I think Americans are so influenced by money because we value it so much. America was born because of money (issues over taxation). Money is limited. Money buys luxury items. Money is success. Those are all reasons why we value it so much. We now love to watch TV shows about people with money or at least successful people. I read an article responding to USA's new show "Royal Pains." It answered the question of why people watch the show when it is so unrealistic in this economic recession. The answer was that money makes people happy. It sort of acts like an escape from reality. When we watch a show about a bunch of rich people (Gossip Girl, Royal Pains, 90210...), we get happy. We simply enjoy watching rich people. It motivates us to work hard to get rich.