this was an amazing & insightful dive into the importance of traditions, rites, & rituals religion has been an important part of human history though we may need to re-examine how we integrate the better parts into our culture moving forward
Thank you so much! I'm glad that was able to shine through. I know that some people will take this video as me saying "reject religion" or "embrace unsustainable capitalist consumerism," but neither of those sentiments is what I'm trying to get across. We've lost a lot of cultural infrastructure in American in the process of diversifying and secularizing. That's led to a massive increase in equality and innovation, but also a stark decrease in people feeling like their life has any meaning outside of making money. My wish is that secular Americans don't throw out the baby with the bathwater, and make sure that they're being mindful about lifestyle practices that are good for mental health, community-building, and giving life meaning.
@ oh yes, you did a great job at making clear that your message wasn’t about rejecting or embracing religion. I understand the importance of questioning & challenging our beliefs but that there’s also a need to develop meaningful ways of living without relying on mindless consumption It’s actually very strange how this video came out right at the tail end of a highly depressing & nihilistic period in my life I really appreciated it 👍🏾
In Europe, it mainly means a strong Americanization and the disappearance of local cultures and traditions. That's why, for example, Finns who want to keep Finland as Finnish oppose the commercialization of Christmas and the popularization of Halloween because they don't want Finland to turn culturally and hegemonically into a soulless and plastic copy of America. However, there are celebrations that stores and retailers have not managed to force, for example the introduction of Thanksgiving and July 4th to Finland was a flop that didn't gain a foothold but mostly angry and complaining Finns who criticized about why everything has to be made so American these days. And then there is Black Friday, which is a two-week joke in Finland, when all stores raise their prices and stage sales for Black Friday, although with little success because people are aware of their price hoax and the game they are trying to play with us.
Clarification about 4:00 in: The day-night cycle is specifically linked to the axial tilt of the planet, not our proximity to the sun. Our planet's axis "wobbles" *because* of the uneven gravitational pull of the sun on Earth, but it's the axial tilt specifically that impacts seasons. I completely forgot to include that in my explanation about why the season's change, but it's a key detail.
I'm pretty sure the oval is also exaggerated and a modern myth. The difference between the closest and farthest distances from the Earth to the Sun is only about 3%, so the orbit actually is almost a perfect circle. The difference in distance doesn't really impact temps, daylight or seasons (though other factors on earth do)...
We also used to riot at Christmas, there was a big riot in the time of Charles Dickens, and he hated it, so he wrote Christmas Carole to encourage people to center it on family, rather than fighting the system.
The day and night cycle and changing of seasons has nothing to do with the distance to the sun. The day and night cycle changes because the earth is tilted on its axis. Earth is actually closer to the sun during northern hemisphere winter, meaning if the Earth had a perfectly circular orbit, we would have very slightly *more* intense seasonal variation in the Northern Hemisphere and slightly less in the Southern Hemisphere.
Thank you for catching that! I went back to that portion of the video and; you're right, I absolutely did not get that point across. 100% a mistake on my part.
So first of all, I love this. You didn't miss ONCE, and it's so refreshing. Secondly, my personal way of fighting back has always been artistic expression. Color, decor (as you've said!), making music and singing songs, making art and crafts to give as gifts and even wearing fun clothes! Even further, I try to indulge in what makes me human, by making my favorite foods and connecting with my family, even just trying to think of heartfelt things to write in cards to the people in my life to let them know they matter. I'm an atheist, and try to be open about it to those who are curious, but I see this time as a vehicle to push back on the gloom of the season and end of the year and connect with what brings me joy and peace. I'll admit that it's a little selfish because I really need to do these things for my sanity, but the healing power of a night laughing with family after a little wine and good food is a force worth being studied. I wish more atheists and theists would get that I'm not going back on my values but instead carrying them out in full by doing these things. Anyway, you've got a new sub from me for sure! ✌️😎
The thing that I despise the most about Christmas is the expectation of participating into the consumerism aspect, and I think that’s why when we were younger. It was easier to get into the spirit of Christmas because that wasn’t something that we had to necessarily participate in; it was our parents, and you touched on this aspect in your video, the commercialization of Christmas innocence that it has been brought on into modern society in order to embrace tradition and avoid the boring secularization is valid. I don’t think it should necessarily include participating into the blind consumerism that has been expected of us, especially lately when the prices of literally everything is skyrocketed. Edit: I’m writing this comment using speech to text so I hope the thought comes across clearly
i mean... its good its commercialized because its secularizing it.. but its bad because consumerism is bad for us and our environment. I'm been celebrating the solstice instead of xmas because of what you outlined in this video for maybe 10 years now. it feels so much better than this weird gift centered and religious centered thing. its about us and about our existence and being chill.
I remember Christmas shopping with my mom (1980s - 90s) as an absolute nightmare of full parking lots, long lines, and gifts no one even wanted or needed (well, mostly lol). At some point it changed and just became about getting the family together for a meal, no gifts. I'm not Christian and never have been, but every year I put up my old fake tree with its sentimental old ornaments and think about those good times with a lot of people who are gone now.
If you were a devout Christian and saw a date reserved for a sacred purpose be washed of its origins and true meanings to be a target for industrialization and secularized, you would be very offended by the works. It doesn't matter if you find it "weird", that's still the age-old Christian tradition of Christmas. Don't strip away consecrated days of their meaning but instead make new ones that have no ties to religion, because that is highly disrespectful to those who still observe these events. Your disapproval isn't an excuse to remove it.
ngl thank you for the china segment. it is currently the worst version of what you have described here, imo. still better than the “west” in some ways. that said, it doesn’t mean that the “west” hasn’t been doing it, as you’ve said. if you really think about it, american culture is a financial, elitist culture. our culture is one, as you’ve said, deprived of humanity. so-called american culture that these idiots scream over is a cold, hierarchical system of power. this is what we are meant to defend, to kill and die for? give me a break.
I think you’re conflating the ultra-Calvinist version of Christianity with its more traditional, historic strain. The ban on holidays in 17th century England came about from Cromwell’s rule as Prime Minister and his Puritan extremism. I can only speak for Catholics, but I believe most Christians follow rituals and traditions specific to the seasons that a) carry a nostalgia to them (ashes on Ash Wednesday, lighting of the Advent candles) and b) have origins in pagan traditions (which you pointed out at the beginning, but I think it got lost in your critique of Christianity by the end). Your laudable desire to have the Christmas season give us flexibility to adjust our lives to the cold and gloom of the winter season could more easily be attributed to American/Puritan work ethic than anything else (for evidence, see how life adjusts in most European countries during the Christmas season).
11:10 the reason for not having "culture" has alot to do with American individualism, collectivism is a huge facilitator in close knit cultures, religious or otherwise
Winter? But... it's december and we're in summer 😂. Ok, ok... I've heard of this "winter" thing, but we don't have any here. Just dry season and wet season. So people don't get mad and shoot other people over a TV set. They do shoot you for the 10 bucks on your wallet, but somehow that doesn't sound much healthier.
this was an amazing & insightful dive into the importance of traditions, rites, & rituals
religion has been an important part of human history though we may need to re-examine how we integrate the better parts into our culture moving forward
Thank you so much! I'm glad that was able to shine through. I know that some people will take this video as me saying "reject religion" or "embrace unsustainable capitalist consumerism," but neither of those sentiments is what I'm trying to get across.
We've lost a lot of cultural infrastructure in American in the process of diversifying and secularizing. That's led to a massive increase in equality and innovation, but also a stark decrease in people feeling like their life has any meaning outside of making money.
My wish is that secular Americans don't throw out the baby with the bathwater, and make sure that they're being mindful about lifestyle practices that are good for mental health, community-building, and giving life meaning.
@ oh yes, you did a great job at making clear that your message wasn’t about rejecting or embracing religion.
I understand the importance of questioning & challenging our beliefs but that there’s also a need to develop meaningful ways of living without relying on mindless consumption
It’s actually very strange how this video came out right at the tail end of a highly depressing & nihilistic period in my life
I really appreciated it 👍🏾
In Europe, it mainly means a strong Americanization and the disappearance of local cultures and traditions. That's why, for example, Finns who want to keep Finland as Finnish oppose the commercialization of Christmas and the popularization of Halloween because they don't want Finland to turn culturally and hegemonically into a soulless and plastic copy of America. However, there are celebrations that stores and retailers have not managed to force, for example the introduction of Thanksgiving and July 4th to Finland was a flop that didn't gain a foothold but mostly angry and complaining Finns who criticized about why everything has to be made so American these days. And then there is Black Friday, which is a two-week joke in Finland, when all stores raise their prices and stage sales for Black Friday, although with little success because people are aware of their price hoax and the game they are trying to play with us.
Clarification about 4:00 in: The day-night cycle is specifically linked to the axial tilt of the planet, not our proximity to the sun. Our planet's axis "wobbles" *because* of the uneven gravitational pull of the sun on Earth, but it's the axial tilt specifically that impacts seasons. I completely forgot to include that in my explanation about why the season's change, but it's a key detail.
I'm pretty sure the oval is also exaggerated and a modern myth. The difference between the closest and farthest distances from the Earth to the Sun is only about 3%, so the orbit actually is almost a perfect circle. The difference in distance doesn't really impact temps, daylight or seasons (though other factors on earth do)...
As someone who has been suffering every winter since ive been an adult i just want to say thankyou.
We also used to riot at Christmas, there was a big riot in the time of Charles Dickens, and he hated it, so he wrote Christmas Carole to encourage people to center it on family, rather than fighting the system.
The day and night cycle and changing of seasons has nothing to do with the distance to the sun. The day and night cycle changes because the earth is tilted on its axis. Earth is actually closer to the sun during northern hemisphere winter, meaning if the Earth had a perfectly circular orbit, we would have very slightly *more* intense seasonal variation in the Northern Hemisphere and slightly less in the Southern Hemisphere.
Thank you for catching that! I went back to that portion of the video and; you're right, I absolutely did not get that point across. 100% a mistake on my part.
So first of all, I love this. You didn't miss ONCE, and it's so refreshing. Secondly, my personal way of fighting back has always been artistic expression. Color, decor (as you've said!), making music and singing songs, making art and crafts to give as gifts and even wearing fun clothes! Even further, I try to indulge in what makes me human, by making my favorite foods and connecting with my family, even just trying to think of heartfelt things to write in cards to the people in my life to let them know they matter. I'm an atheist, and try to be open about it to those who are curious, but I see this time as a vehicle to push back on the gloom of the season and end of the year and connect with what brings me joy and peace. I'll admit that it's a little selfish because I really need to do these things for my sanity, but the healing power of a night laughing with family after a little wine and good food is a force worth being studied. I wish more atheists and theists would get that I'm not going back on my values but instead carrying them out in full by doing these things. Anyway, you've got a new sub from me for sure! ✌️😎
Thank you so much for watching and sharing!
I just saw several of your videos. They are great. Keep going. Subscribers and views will come.
I never comment on youtube videos, but wow, you just inspired me to put lights at home christmas this year.
I see atheist pagan propaganda, I like and subscribe.
Simple as
The thing that I despise the most about Christmas is the expectation of participating into the consumerism aspect, and I think that’s why when we were younger. It was easier to get into the spirit of Christmas because that wasn’t something that we had to necessarily participate in; it was our parents, and you touched on this aspect in your video, the commercialization of Christmas innocence that it has been brought on into modern society in order to embrace tradition and avoid the boring secularization is valid. I don’t think it should necessarily include participating into the blind consumerism that has been expected of us, especially lately when the prices of literally everything is skyrocketed.
Edit: I’m writing this comment using speech to text so I hope the thought comes across clearly
Wow! Your videos are amazing! This channel is so underrated, I can’t believe I just found about it now!
Thank you!!!
i mean... its good its commercialized because its secularizing it.. but its bad because consumerism is bad for us and our environment. I'm been celebrating the solstice instead of xmas because of what you outlined in this video for maybe 10 years now. it feels so much better than this weird gift centered and religious centered thing. its about us and about our existence and being chill.
I remember Christmas shopping with my mom (1980s - 90s) as an absolute nightmare of full parking lots, long lines, and gifts no one even wanted or needed (well, mostly lol). At some point it changed and just became about getting the family together for a meal, no gifts. I'm not Christian and never have been, but every year I put up my old fake tree with its sentimental old ornaments and think about those good times with a lot of people who are gone now.
If you were a devout Christian and saw a date reserved for a sacred purpose be washed of its origins and true meanings to be a target for industrialization and secularized, you would be very offended by the works. It doesn't matter if you find it "weird", that's still the age-old Christian tradition of Christmas. Don't strip away consecrated days of their meaning but instead make new ones that have no ties to religion, because that is highly disrespectful to those who still observe these events. Your disapproval isn't an excuse to remove it.
@@joeroeinski1107 You can celebrate however you want, but you can't force everyone else to do the same.
How is it becoming commercialized and secularized a good thing?
Underrated channel
Thank you! ☃🎄🎀♥
Everything except for the consumerism. Great vid. I remember I am human again. Thanks
As a brazilian none of crhistian Hollidays make no sense to me as the same time it makes total sense couse i be doing it since i was born
This went surprisingly hart
ngl thank you for the china segment. it is currently the worst version of what you have described here, imo. still better than the “west” in some ways.
that said, it doesn’t mean that the “west” hasn’t been doing it, as you’ve said. if you really think about it, american culture is a financial, elitist culture. our culture is one, as you’ve said, deprived of humanity. so-called american culture that these idiots scream over is a cold, hierarchical system of power. this is what we are meant to defend, to kill and die for? give me a break.
I think you’re conflating the ultra-Calvinist version of Christianity with its more traditional, historic strain. The ban on holidays in 17th century England came about from Cromwell’s rule as Prime Minister and his Puritan extremism. I can only speak for Catholics, but I believe most Christians follow rituals and traditions specific to the seasons that a) carry a nostalgia to them (ashes on Ash Wednesday, lighting of the Advent candles) and b) have origins in pagan traditions (which you pointed out at the beginning, but I think it got lost in your critique of Christianity by the end). Your laudable desire to have the Christmas season give us flexibility to adjust our lives to the cold and gloom of the winter season could more easily be attributed to American/Puritan work ethic than anything else (for evidence, see how life adjusts in most European countries during the Christmas season).
11:10 the reason for not having "culture" has alot to do with American individualism, collectivism is a huge facilitator in close knit cultures, religious or otherwise
12:41 um are you robot-arm shaming that coffee drinker??
Yes.
fantastic video, you're spot on about the way this country tries to homogenize all the people
10:12 TF is even THAT!?
Winter? But... it's december and we're in summer 😂. Ok, ok... I've heard of this "winter" thing, but we don't have any here. Just dry season and wet season. So people don't get mad and shoot other people over a TV set. They do shoot you for the 10 bucks on your wallet, but somehow that doesn't sound much healthier.
The Advent 😉