Insurance is a vital aspect of modern life, yet we can often view it as dry and dull. However, insurance has also been a recurring theme in popular American culture, making appearances in movies, TV shows, and literature. This blog post will explore the role of insurance in American culture and how it is depicted in various forms of media.
Movies and TV shows have often used insurance as a backdrop for comedic or dramatic storylines. For example, in the film "Bruce Almighty," the main character, played by Jim Carrey, is a television news reporter who is given god-like powers. He uses his powers to play pranks on his insurance agent, ultimately causing the agent to lose his job.
In the TV show "The Office," the character Dwight Schrute is the assistant to the regional manager of the Dunder Mifflin paper company. He is often shown selling paper and insurance to clients, using over-the-top and comical sales tactics.On the other hand, insurance has also been a serious subject in many movies and TV shows. For example, the movie "Crash" is a drama film that explores the lives of various characters in Los Angeles and how they are all connected through their interactions with one another, including through insurance claims.
In the TV show "The Good Place," the main character, Eleanor, works in the "Bad Place" as a "soul-mover," where she helps to assign people to the appropriate level of eternity based on how they lived their lives. Insurance fraud is a subject that comes up in one of the episodes.
In literature, insurance is also a subject explored in several works. For example, the novel "The Adjustment Bureau" by Philip K. Dick is a science fiction story that explores the concept of free will and determinism. The story centers around an insurance adjuster who discovers that the universe is controlled by a mysterious organization known as the Adjustment Bureau. In the book "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the characters are all wealthy and connected by their involvement in the world of insurance, which is one of the ways they've acquired their fortunes.
Additionally, insurance has also been referenced in the music. For example, the song "Insurance" by the band They Might Be Giants is a humorous look at the concept of insurance and how it relates to everyday life. The song "The Insurance Man" by Roger Miller is a country song that tells the story of a man who works as an insurance salesman and his challenges.
In recent years, the rise of reality TV shows has also brought insurance into the spotlight. Shows such as "Insurance Wars" and "Insurance Hunters" give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the insurance industry and the claims process. In addition, these shows often highlight the challenges that policyholders and insurance companies face and how they work to resolve disputes.
Moreover, insurance has also been used as a plot device in video games. For example, the game "Watch Dogs 2" features a mission where the player must infiltrate an insurance company to steal sensitive information. In another game, "Grand Theft Auto V," the player can invest in the stock market and buy shares of insurance companies, as the company's performance in the game's simulated market affects the player's portfolio.
In conclusion, insurance may not be the most glamorous subject, but it has played an important role in popular American culture. From comedic portrayals in movies and TV shows to more serious explorations in literature, insurance has been used to tell stories and provide commentary on the human experience. It's a subject that can be relatable and intriguing, and it continues to be an essential part of our lives.