The Salem Witch Trials illustrates that the villagers of Salem in 1962 who were plagued by a sudden cloud of witchcraft accusations. People in the village began showing severe convulsions and other uncommon symptoms, which were blamed upon being bewitched by the village doctors at the time. Anyone accused of witchcraft in Salem was searched for and executed. As time passed medicine and technology began to advance and it was starting to be questioned whether Slame experienced witchcraft or if it was a disease caused by a rotting rye. Dr. Linda Caperal in 1976 raised the hypothesis of ergotism to be the source of medical problems that arose in Salem. With more knowledge and advancement in technological and medicinal terms a discrepancy is formed between different viewpoints and beliefs. From an etic viewpoint the Salem Witch Trials are to be interpreted as barbaric actions made without enough information and certainty, but the internal perspective is of that being a central disease that appeared to be a threat coming from an evil source. Emic and etic perspectives usually clash with each other creating tensions and discords between the groups. Through the emic internal perspective, the Salem villagers did not have enough knowledge or the right equipment that was technologically advanced enough to determine the cause of the uncommon and difficult symptoms, witchcraft seemed to be the only reason that something this demonic could happen. Furthermore, the concept of witchcraft was already widely feared and accepted during the time period. The idea of witchcraft became the only sensible reason these symptoms were to appear, and it became the unified belief for this outburst. The belief was spread and generalized through a modern mass medium originating from a well-represented and respected source further initiating the belief to be stable and spreading faster. Since the symptoms were so severe and there was an urgency and fear that was apparent coming from the Salem Witch Trials no other perspective was liable enough and was disregarded at its introduction. Even if Dr. Linda’s hypothesis was introduced none of the villagers would have seen it to be significant because nothing this serve and demonic was ever presented in the village and the source of rotten rye wouldn’t be sufficient enough to cover the uncertainty and fear extending throughout the village. As discussed in my group there is a difference between the formation of ancient and modern thinking. Modern hypotheses have more stability as they are profound to more instruments, technological advancements, and more knowledge making their predictions more believable and stable than those brought up in ancient times.
This short video illustrates the events that took place during the Salem Witch Trials in detail:
There are prominent differences between the division of the “east” and the “west.” Firstly, it is discussed in my group that relative to geographical divisions countries that are placed closer to the line of the equator have warmer climates manufacturing advanced agriculture when compared to the high north and south areas. The countries that are destined to prosper regarding their location and production (food and clothing) will also be stronger spiritually. Consequently, mainstream religions originate from the concentrated central region of the world. But specifically, there is a difference between religious beliefs creating another aspect of division between the “east” and the “west.” The “east” is associated with countries such as China, where Buddhism is a prominent religion and the “west” is incorporated with countries that signify Christianity but is also influenced by European civilizations. The population of the areas are dense and diverse so when trading and exchanges between countries start to increase it establishes cultural exchanges as well. But there is a distinct division between the “east” and the “west” that is founded on focusing and emphasizing differences rather than similarities which causes the sense of polarity. Although there are numerous political and structural societal differences between the two regions the most distinctive factor to cause a division originates from the differences in belief and values, since that is what consequently changes how a group of people function.
In the video American Psychosis, Chris Hedges illustrates the worldview that designs utopia to be formed in society when they realize that a complete life of fulfillment is done in pursuing true happiness and not through hedonistic and materialistic achievements. The idea of hedonism, specifically marketing hedonism is attentive towards the simulation of consumption gluing itself to the pursuits of self-interest. This idea ties with materialistic desires focused on object, ownership, and wealth. This increasing desire for more takes away the true meaning of happiness, for investing in these schemes will resultantly lead to a meaningless life and the invasion of living without a purpose will be brought forth. Consumerism reveals these disadvantages and as it is discussed in my group the concept can be identified as a negative loop that becomes harder to break when the community continues to grow progressively. As technological advances persist, and more individuals start to depend on it there is a shift towards a more digital platform where social media surpasses all other communication styles. The use of this platform tends to validate individuals, decreasing their individualistic importance as a human. As social media comes to control society it ties in closely with the loop of consumerism making it a strong power controlling the way society functions. Another aspect that is normalized in society is the concept of having money to be able to adhere into the high expectations of the consumerism cycle, the more income an individual achieves the more they are able to purchase and boast their consumptions. With the high necessity to buy certain items to ‘fit into” the image society has created an individual will tend to disregard their own personal disliking to the item and buy it to satisfy the public.
The following image illustrates the cycle of consumerism and how an individual gets easily trapped.
In conclusion my group agrees upon the worldview presented in American Psychosis illustrating the way in how everyone strives to live in a fantasized world without realizing the reality and the implementation of societal norms that destroy the real reason of being a human. Furthermore, there should be a fine balance between resisting the cycle of consumerism and realizing what life is actually worth without living with a hedonistic and materialistic viewpoint.
A common and realistic idea which is usually an open discussion within university students is the line of careers. Personally, as I am in the field of Law and Society (3rd year) more students get more serious about potentially continuing their studies in law school. But the interest in that is usually based on the higher income a lawyer would receive, so they are able to suitably live their lavish lifestyle not because they are inclined to continue their studies for reasons of self-pleasure and their pursuit of happiness. Most students when in discussion express their disliking for studying and law itself but are looking for more profit and in the process of achieving a high income to be of a high-class individual, they will be disregarding their own personal disliking to pursue a career they may not even enjoy. I believe there is nothing wrong with seeking to establish a career based on solely monetary gains, but there should be a balance between the extreme pursuits of monetary gains and the real enjoyment of choosing a career path to feel real happiness.
References:
History.com Editors. (2011, November 04). Salem Witch Trials. Retrieved August 10, 2020, from https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/salem-witch-trials
Zackem, A. (Director). (2020, August 08). [Video file]. Retrieved August 10, 2020, from https://vimeo.com/293802639
Tracy Evans, S. (n.d.). Cultural Anthropology. Retrieved August 10, 2020, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/culturalanthropology/chapter/two-views-of-culture-etic-emic/
Darren. (n.d.). Retrieved August 10, 2020, from http://www.physics.smu.edu/scalise/P3333sp08/Ulcers/ergotism.html
Pavlic, B. A. (Director). (2020, May 4). What really happened during the Salem Witch Trials – Brian A. Pavlac [Video file]. Retrieved August 9, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVd8kuufBhM
Societal evolution – Families and Consumerism [Digital image]. (2011, November 11). Retrieved August 09, 2020, from https://naqad.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/societal-evolution-families-and-consumerism/
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