How do you define American culture?

[Marcus]

I was recently asked this question during a discussion and I really did not know how to answer the question. How would you define American culture?

[steve21]

Awesome.

And **** YEAH!

[Papersen]

Interesting topic.

Casually I`m reading a book from Samuel Huntington about it.
However, since I`m not American I don`t think I`m qualified to express a qualified opinion.

[Marcus]

Originally Posted by Papersen

Interesting topic.

Casually I`m reading a book from Samuel Huntington about it.
However, since I`m not American I don`t think I`m qualified to express a qualified opinion.

I disagree. If anything an outside perspective would have greater objectivity.

[iamlowsound]

Over consumerist and very un-friendly.

lowsound

[HollowBassman]

Bipolar

[fenderhutz]

Excess.

[FunkyFrosty]

I love it and have spent a lot of time there, because of it, it's hard to describe though, it's big a super duper glamorous capitalist adventure, where opportunities do still exist if you are smart and work hard.

About the only things I ever got disappointed in about with regards to your country are:-

The manufacturing industry is nowhere near as good as it proports to be, in Europe - people have a very good impression about that but are usually taken aback when they see it for themselves.

The unabated carelessness with regard to mineral oil resources as reflected by the masses, if you don't want to care soooo much about the middle east - gotta stop driving those big trucks.

BS political campaigns which are an absolute joke.

I'm British and I live in Canada - if that helps you.

Frosty.

[FL Knifemaker]

Monster Truck Racing

[FunkyFrosty]

Originally Posted by FunkyFrosty

The unabated carelessness with regard to mineral oil resources as reflected by the masses, if you don't want to care soooo much about the middle east - gotta stop driving those big trucks.

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Monster Truck Racing

HA - Perfect timing buddy, satire at its best!!

[mike_v_s]

Originally Posted by Marcus

I was recently asked this question during a discussion and I really did not know how to answer the question. How would you define American culture?

I had a different answer, but having read some of the other responses, I think this fits better: unfortunately characterized by loud shiny parts that aren't really representative of the whole.

Mike

EDIT: This means you're focusing on the wrong ****, Einstein. Try rereading the question and grabbing a dictionary before you're done. Marcus, this isn't aimed at you.

[Papersen]

Originally Posted by Marcus

I disagree. If anything an outside perspective would have greater objectivity.

OK.

First of all I find American culture VERY interesting and as every other culture it has its highs and lows, IMHO.

When I was in College my History teacher showed us the difference between Culture and Civilization. When we speak about Culture we`re describing the original components that people from a certain area share, such as language, religion, race, land, history, food, etc.
A Civilization develops when a culture acquires certain influences from other cultures. Therefore I think it should be more accurate to describe an American Civilization than an American Culture.

Why do I refer to it that way ?
Because if we consider that an increasing percentage of the US population comes from other countries, it`s hard to describe a single model that can explain it all.

Think about spanish language in certain states (California or Florida) or food (pasta, pretzels or Pizza in NY) even religion is so vast and diverse that`s hard to describe.

However, I personally find that there are several simbols that describe American civilization such as the American flag, the love for Democracy, burgers and fries, the lack of traditional aristocracy, a superiority feeling, the common use of weapons, the passion for cars, the individualism, the commitment for work, the professionalism and determination to improve in each discipline adopted, the lack of knowledge of facts and history from the rest of the world and many, many others.

I know a lot of people will disagree with my opinion, but it`s my perspective from outside. It`s also a generalization. It`s hard to englobe a farmer from Iowa, a cab driver from NYC or a Chinese seller into the same description.

Let me say again that I find no other modern civilization more interesting than the American.

[msquared]

Originally Posted by HollowBassman

Bipolar

I think that as of the last 20 years or so, this is one of the most defining characteristics of American culture. In so many ways we are polarized by the issues we care about, whether it's football teams or Iraq or the elections or guns or whatever. There's not a lot of working together, it's a lot of "your team vs my team" with a fair amount of immediate contempt for the other guy. The off-topic section of Talkbass is a fine example of that, sadly.

[mike_v_s]

Originally Posted by msquared

I think that as of the last 20 years or so, this is one of the most defining characteristics of American culture. In so many ways we are polarized by the issues we care about, whether it's football teams or Iraq or the elections or guns or whatever. There's not a lot of working together, it's a lot of "your team vs my team" with a fair amount of immediate contempt for the other guy. The off-topic section of Talkbass is a fine example of that, sadly.

Try reading the "Hey Pats" thread, it'll totally change your opinion on that. Oh, I'm kidding.

Mike

[Vorago]

Contradiction.

Las Vegas, Rock 'n Roll, porn, etc vs. an incredible uptightness in the media about nudity, profanity etc. Remember the Nipplegate row.

[stratovani]

Darwinism run amok.

[Tsal]

I understand USA as a country that values 'standing on one's own feet' practically to a fault. Those persons who make it to success are appreciated, but the other side is that it's hard to find support from other people, both financially and socially, unless it's family or there's something to benefit. Also, people are expected to strive for success constantly, so spending a lot of time at work is perfectly acceptable. As a nation, Americans still aren't exactly homogenious, which can be seen for example from the different religious and politically active groups and the quite large differences between the states, although most people are on the same line because of the mass media transmitting their thoughts around the continent.

When I compare what I understand about USA to Scandinavia, around here the nations definitely seem more united and built around the idea that the whole country is a virtual village where we stand as one. So, if someone has poor fortune, he should be assisted any way we can, which is why more tax money is spent on social welfare and universal medical coverage.

[Vorago]

Filthy communist!

[FrizzleFry]

Conceited

[csala]

We know more facts about Paris Hilton than we do about Barack Obama.