(1)
Legacy(n): Something handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessors (2).
The 1950's are often referred to as the beginning of the age of consumerism, thus it is only fitting that this was the time that the theme park came to prominence (3). Also, new technologies and markets led to a rise in consumerism in the 1920s. The legacy of theme parks is consumerism. The generations have passed down a legacy of consumerism onto its youth. Each year millions of toys, trips, and movies are sold to younger generations. Consumerism is defined today by the rapid mass consumption of goods and Disney and other theme parks are the poster children for this modern consumerism. Theme parks are all different from location, theme, architecture, rides, but what they all have in common "is their imbrication in consumerist systems of service culture" (4). In American history, consumerism has periodically dominated the economy. Like in the 1950s and 1920s, consumerism in today's society is fueled by entertainment.
Many entertainment corporations that run theme parks have been severely criticized in recent years including Disney and Seaworld. Many argue that theme parks go too far by marketing to children. Others say that, a park's drive for a trademark attraction can go too far. At Seaworld critics lambaste the continuation of mistreatment of Orcas because of their reluctance to let go of their trademark "killer whale" (5). In Seaworld's case, the demands of the consumeristic industry lead the park to continually abuse animals and endanger employees, as pointed out in a recent documentary: Blackfish (6). The Orca whales are exploited to provide entertainment for the paying public. The maltreatment of the animals is exacerbated by the demand of the Seaworld attendees and Seaworld's goal to make a solid profit. Because Seaworld's objective above all else is to make money, the safety of the cetaceans as well as the trainers is put into jeopardy.
Many entertainment corporations that run theme parks have been severely criticized in recent years including Disney and Seaworld. Many argue that theme parks go too far by marketing to children. Others say that, a park's drive for a trademark attraction can go too far. At Seaworld critics lambaste the continuation of mistreatment of Orcas because of their reluctance to let go of their trademark "killer whale" (5). In Seaworld's case, the demands of the consumeristic industry lead the park to continually abuse animals and endanger employees, as pointed out in a recent documentary: Blackfish (6). The Orca whales are exploited to provide entertainment for the paying public. The maltreatment of the animals is exacerbated by the demand of the Seaworld attendees and Seaworld's goal to make a solid profit. Because Seaworld's objective above all else is to make money, the safety of the cetaceans as well as the trainers is put into jeopardy.
1. Sea World Believe, photograph, Wikipedia, 2012, accessed June 3, 2015, http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/SeaWorldBelieve.JPG.
2."Legacy," in Merriam-Webster, accessed June 3, 2015, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legacy.
3. "Disneyland Opens," History, accessed June 3, 2015, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/disneyland-opens.
4. Scott Lucas, "How the Theme Park Gets Its Power: Lived Theming, Social Control, and the Themed Worker Self" (PhD diss., Lake Tahoe Community College), [Page 1-25].
5.Peter Singer, "Let Animals Be Wild," The Guardian, last modified March 8, 2010, accessed May 19, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cif-green/2010/mar/08/wild-animals-captivity-seaworld-orca.
6. "Blackfish- Official Trailer," video file, Youtube, posted by Magnolia Pictures & Magnet Releasing, June 3, 2013, accessed June 3, 2015, https://youtu.be/G93beiYiE74.
2."Legacy," in Merriam-Webster, accessed June 3, 2015, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legacy.
3. "Disneyland Opens," History, accessed June 3, 2015, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/disneyland-opens.
4. Scott Lucas, "How the Theme Park Gets Its Power: Lived Theming, Social Control, and the Themed Worker Self" (PhD diss., Lake Tahoe Community College), [Page 1-25].
5.Peter Singer, "Let Animals Be Wild," The Guardian, last modified March 8, 2010, accessed May 19, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cif-green/2010/mar/08/wild-animals-captivity-seaworld-orca.
6. "Blackfish- Official Trailer," video file, Youtube, posted by Magnolia Pictures & Magnet Releasing, June 3, 2013, accessed June 3, 2015, https://youtu.be/G93beiYiE74.