Like most people, it is difficult to get Americans to care much about events beyond their borders. The one remarkable exception to this indifference towards foreign affairs is the Israel-Palestine conflict, where Americans have always had passionate views and even today are willing to drop everything and pay attention. These views have been shaped less by any rational analysis of the subject, which in this case has little direct impact on their lives, and more by what you could call the “social imaginary” of images and emotional sentiments guides their worldview. The social imaginary of 20th century Americans was shaped above all by the incredibly powerful entertainment industry that emerged in their country. Hollywood shaped the American worldview on many subjects near and far. It also took particular pains to tell them what they should feel about the conflict in the Middle East that accompanied the creation of the State of Israel.
Book Review: Hollywood and Israel: A History
Book Review: Hollywood and Israel: A History
Book Review: Hollywood and Israel: A History
Like most people, it is difficult to get Americans to care much about events beyond their borders. The one remarkable exception to this indifference towards foreign affairs is the Israel-Palestine conflict, where Americans have always had passionate views and even today are willing to drop everything and pay attention. These views have been shaped less by any rational analysis of the subject, which in this case has little direct impact on their lives, and more by what you could call the “social imaginary” of images and emotional sentiments guides their worldview. The social imaginary of 20th century Americans was shaped above all by the incredibly powerful entertainment industry that emerged in their country. Hollywood shaped the American worldview on many subjects near and far. It also took particular pains to tell them what they should feel about the conflict in the Middle East that accompanied the creation of the State of Israel.