The Hall of Presidents
In John Green’s section “The Hall of Presidents” of The Anthropocene Reviewed, he describes his experience of growing up in Orlando and visiting Walt Disney World many times. Unlike most people, he does not like Disney World and thinks of it as hot and “plastic.” He would spend his time on his visits to Disney World writing in the Hall of Presidents because it was the least crowded and air conditioned.
Because Green grew up in Orlando and took many trips to Disney World and the Hall of Presidents, it caused him to be able to think deeply about his views on the place. In his opinion, the Hall of Presidents, while it is honoring the Presidents of the United States, tends to misrepresent how great our country and its leaders are. It has a very optimistic view of our nation’s history. He compares this to how our country and government are continually convincing the nation to believe in the constitution when no one really has to do so. Similarly, he views Disney World as a place where people go to escape their lives that are miserable. I think the amount of time spent in a place where people seem to always be happy affected his views and inspired him to write this review and compare a Disney World attraction to our country and its government.
I do not think that this review has helped Green to live a life of significance. This is a very critical way to look at the world, and though his opinions may be true, I feel that if people stray on this idea too much it causes them to go to a very negative place. Unless someone was to take action on this issue, there is not much that anyone can do from just having these opinions. Of course our country has its ups and downs, but finding ways to be proud of our accomplishments is normal. There are many ways we tend to focus on the wrongs of our country but a childrens’ theme park is definitely not the place. John Green gave this review two stars, and I will give the same.