Just finished the new Neal Stephenson book, Polostan. Part of it takes place during the 1934 Chicago World's Fair. Love this iconography, which is prominent in the book.
this post was submitted on 25 Oct 2024
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Do what are the symbols of progress here? The woman in the center seems to be commenting on the progress rather than depicting the progress itself, she she seems to be loving it.
For actual symbols, we have planes, skyscrapers, a fort, a chemist, the world and an engineer.
I can see how all these depict progress, but the fort seems to be overly racist. I can only understand this as the conquest against the native Americans which is depicted positively here. But I guess that's just how people thought back then.
I think the spotlights were indicative of electric powered lights as a sign of progress over the century too
I spy with my little eye: A zeppelin!
imho the best single volume book to understand American racism is 'The Autobiography of Malcolm X.'
Obviously there are books with more historical facts and deeper analysis. But I think the way he depicts his own feelings and observations gives the reader a visceral understanding.
Agin, my opinion.