Why America Is So Good at Trash Culture
"Too too tired of the trite and testy doomsday dilemma of late 20th century consumer garbage-kulture…" – Headpress #5, 1992
America is certainly not the only country participating in the "trash culture" genre. A favorite artist of mine—South African rap-rave duo Die Antwoord—brought "Zef" culture to the mainstream, while other countries have championed their own variations of trash culture, like England's "Chav" and Russia's "Gopnik."
That said, as showcased in everything from fast food portion sizes to gas-guzzling pickup trucks, America knows no tasteful end. Articulated in this essay are the contributing factors that build my theory of why America is just so damn good at trash culture.
Trash Management (… or the Lack Thereof)
Being culturally individualistic, America has historically lacked societal norms that dictate a social obligation to participate in recycling and composting. Even when recycling is an option, oftentimes, recycling bins do not distinguish between materials, like paper, plastic, glass, and metal. If there are separate bins for each, Americans remain cynical: "Most of it probably ends up in a landfill anyway."
Whether it's hoarders cherishing their own junk, plastic straws killing ocean animals, or drivers defenestrating their garbage, America accepts pollution as just another part of life. The average American does not gasp at litter or shudder at the smell of a landfill; he knows that this is just another day in the ole U.S.A.
This lack of mindfulness towards a cleaner environment and the quiet acceptance that follows this sentiment lay the foundation on which America embraces itself culturally. It is for this reason that Americans can explore culture both as a reflection of their lives and through the lens of their omnipresent garbage.
