ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on stereotypes rather than ideals, because the word ideal is usually reserved for what one considers the good, the true and the beautiful. The spot of blind automatism covers up some fact, which if it were taken into account, would check the vital movement that the stereotype provokes. Consequently, the stereotype not only saves time in a busy life and is a defense of one's position in society, but tends to preserve one from all the bewildering effect of trying to see the world steadily and see it whole. The stereotype represented by such words as "progress" and "perfection" was composed fundamentally of mechanical inventions. With the stereotype of "progress" before their eyes, Americans have in the mass seen little that did not accord with that progress. In the World War, the good and the evil influence of the American stereotype was plainly visible.
