Success

Americans are obsessed with Success, but are also determined to not think about it - at least consciously.

They think about it, in the strangest way - in their unconscious minds, individually and collectively. And the result is chaotic and destructive. A situation that for them, seems perfectly natural - because this means they are successful!

For us to think about what is going on with them, we have to consider what they are doing, and then try to explain their strange behavior.

This is going to be difficult, because they do not want anyone understanding them! This is the last thing on earth that they want - because they believe they are somehow, horribly defective!

They have been told this, all their lives. Not directly, in so many words - but indirectly, in the way other people treat them. They get the distinct impression, that they are somehow inferior - and they are not supposed to ask why - so they don't.

They believe what they are supposed to believe - including the instructions to not question this.

I can see this creeping into Costa Rican behavior. They can see Americans have more money - and this must mean that they are, somehow better.

In fact, this is what the Evangelicals are telling them "If you want to be successful, like us - you must be like us!" And Ticos are doing just this (changing themselves, for the worse) without thinking about it.