American Psychosis By Chris Hedges Summary

Have you ever wondered if America is going in the proper political direction? The articles “American Psychosis,” by Chris Hedges, and “Engaging Apolitical Adolescents,” by Melissa Ames, have contrasting views and opinions about how pop culture is expressed through young adult’s political views and interest. Hedges explains why he thinks that reality TV shows- among others- are destroying this country. Hedges uses harsh and critical phrasing to evoke a deep emotional response in the reader. Ames, on the other hand, references the rise of dystopian novels after 9/11, and the fact that the “total vote has increased consistently throughout the past four presidential elections” (4 Ames). Ames shows how young readers are becoming more interested

Hedges’ tone seems to suggest that he is eager to make Americans feel insignificant. Hedges picks his words very precisely to create the exact meaning that he wants. “As the gap widens between the illusion and reality, as we suddenly grasp that it is our home being foreclosed or our job that is not coming back, we react like children”(Hedges). Here Hedges is comparing the American people to children, which evokes a harsh reaction from the American people. This way of trying to create action out of the reader is far more insufficient than the elegant way Ames uses her words. Ames seems to uses a serene tone to be picking the readers up and comforting them rather than purposely thrashing them down as Hedges does. Ames’s article contains a lot of content, which usually makes an article sound monotone and unenthusiastic. However, when Ames talks about different types of dystopian books and authors, she really seems to keep the reader engaged. “Rather than predicting a bleak future for the young persons of today, this dystopian trend may very well be pointing toward a more positive future, at least in terms of political engagement” (Ames 18). This quote shows how caring and thoughtful the language can be in Ames’s article. Ames’s tone almost makes the reader want to believe her even if she is wrong, while Hedges’s tone make the reader want

These opposing viewpoints illustrate how much more superior the strategie Ames implies are. Hedges brings up very many lucid points, such as how all of America is not as invested in what is going on around them. Hedges criticizes American people and points out that the common American would rather sit on the couch and watch TV rather than think about the real life problems such as mortgage or the political state of our country and “in the midst of it all, [Americans] continue to be a country consumed by happy talk and happy thoughts” (Hedges). As a reader I felt the stinging whip of these words and only felt resentment towerds Hedges and did not want to take action in favor of America but just negative action against him. Ames on the other hand is suggesting that young adults are becoming more involved as a result of the rise of dystopian novels. With this rise, young adults are becoming more concerned about America and the well being of our world as a whole. I believe that Ames is using a far better way of broadcasting her ideas and opinions. Among all the turmoil and strife going on in America and the minds of many young adults, these two authors have brought it upon themselves to try and make a difference in America and the young adults around our