The Cosmic Room of American Capitalism
A friend of mine wrote to me the other day to ask, "What are Turkish people thinking?" I wrote back something to the effect of, "I should know? There are about 70 million of them. Only the Shadow knows." But I can generalize a bit and say that this sweet, funny column in Hürriyet Daily News by Ertuğrul Özkök captures something very Turkish.
He's writing about visiting the Coca-Cola archives in Atlanta:
Coca Cola’s archives also represent a history of American pop culture.
MY GOD! I AM ENTERING THE SECRET ARCHIVES OF IMPERIALISM
Memories of my youth flare up as I enter through that narrow gate. Two brands would spring up in our minds when we heard the term “imperialism.” Coca Cola and IBM.
As you might imagine, I was entering the “archives of American imperialism.” Would you not feel excitement as a former revolutionary who still gets the jitters when looking at a photograph of Che Guevera, if you saw a box with the label “Turkey” on it?
To make sure you're bludgeoned with the irony, I'll point out the key detail: Muhtar Kent, the chairman and CEO of Coca Cola Inc., is Turkish.
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Mar '11
Re: The Cosmic Room of American Capitalism
My, my! That was a fun read. No doubt I would spend more time in that particular section, too.
Apr '11
Re: The Cosmic Room of American Capitalism
Claire: The Shadow only knows what "evil lurks within the hearts of men" not their general opinions...
Re: The Cosmic Room of American Capitalism
How would you answer the question, "What are the American people thinking?"
Jun '11
Re: The Cosmic Room of American Capitalism
It is hard for most Americans to understand just how potent the "conspiracy brew" can become. It was very real in the Cold War and at least some of the mistrust lingers.
I experienced this first-hand on a visit to my parents' diplomatic posting in West Africa in the 1980s. I had missed my original connecting flight from CDG, so my kind French TWA agent rerouted me through Brazzaville, capital of the People's Republic of the Congo. It was bad enough to land without a visa in a country with very tenuous relations with the US. But to land with a briefcase full of McDonald's operations materials, sacre bleu!
The young Congolese lieutenant thought he had caught a CIA agent -- posing as a McDonald's store manager -- red handed. Thankfully, the senior NCO was less sure and called the Canadian Embassy to send a rep. I was held at gunpoint for 90 minutes and questioned about McDonald's plans for the Congo until the Canadian rep arrived (a Quebecois who wouldn't speak English to me BTW). She did, however, get me back on the plane.
And there still isn't a McDonald's in the Congo.
Apr '11
Re: The Cosmic Room of American Capitalism
Claire Berlinski, Ed.
How would you answer the question, "What are the American people thinking?" · Nov 21 at 8:46am
How about a noncommittal..."The American people are thinking many things, some of which you may find heartening, and some of which you will find revolting, the rest you will find boring."
I guess the question was not in reference to a particular subject. But, rather a general what are they thinking about now? Well in America I can say on Thursday most people will be thinking "mmm turkey, and oohh Football."