Part 11/15:
The social fabric has unraveled, replaced by a fleeting veneer of glamour and achievement. The early California—built on pioneer spirit, hard work, and community—has been supplanted by an artificial society characterized by consumerism, environmental decay, and social discord.
Hollywood and the Cultural Artificiality
Hollywood, the cornerstone of California’s mythologizing, exemplifies the artificial culture that dominates the region. It wields enormous influence over global culture—shaping perceptions of morality, beauty, identity, and even political ideology. Yet, Hollywood has become a cultural court, where authenticity is secondary to pleasing the industry’s power brokers and maintaining its influence.