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Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Yes I probably have a bias against Houston without having properly seen it, not only because I think it's boring and sprawling, but it seems Americans seems to overrated it's international profile. But I thought it'd be interesting to compare name recognition.
Going purely by name recognition I will concede Houston might edge out Seattle: but only on account of NASA and the saying 'Houston we have a problem.' Other than NASA, I don't know most people outside America know anything about it. Some might know it's in Texas. On the other hand I think more people know about Seattle, although both are quite a tier down from the top 5 (NY, LA, SF, DC, Chicago).
Still, even with NASA I think the battle is closer than it is. By 'knowing' a city, I mean knowing more than just it's name, as in knowing at least something about that city.
Trimac honestly if you think a place with 6 million people, the center of one of the 10 largest Hispanic, Asian, African populations and the nightlife catering to all groups is boring then there's not much to tell you. Houston's not my kind of city but if you're extroverted and can communicate with Hispanic people, then it's the furthest thing from socially boring. I mean do you honestly think these people live there to be pencil pushers and such things like nightlife don't exist?
As for name recognition Houston is underwhelming in films and music but it's been a target for Internet craze the last couple of years and it's in a much more popularly branded state. Seattle on the other hand gets a well deserved bum rep for its weather and coffee. I would say both cities are evenly known and for similar reasons; bad weather, their respective economies (tech vs energy), their musical contributions hip hop vs grunge and rock, etc. Houston registers are a bigger influence in fashion, just made its debut this year as one of the worlds top 50 centers and has the most improved score. As for either city, people draw blank stares about both when asked to describe them. They know Seattle is scenic and that Houston is flat near wetlands and a swamp but that's about it.
Trimac, you should drop the Seattle name recognition obsession.
How many times to people have to say that the question is too abstract? It depends on the area of the world you're talking about. In Latin America, no way is Seattle more well known than Houston. In Asia, perhaps Seattle is better known. It just depends.
Going purely by name recognition I will concede Houston might edge out Seattle: but only on account of NASA and the saying 'Houston we have a problem.' Other than NASA, I don't know most people outside America know anything about it.
I don't get why so many people on CD seem to think of NASA as a Houston thing. I'd imagine more people associate NASA with Florida and maybe even DC before they would Houston. It's HQed in DC, and as for Florida, people all over the world who watch shuttle launches watch footage of Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center gets visitors from everywhere as it's a very popular day trip from Orlando. Also, I think Kennedy Space Center is the largest and employees the most people of all the NASA facilities. NASA is no more a Houston thing than it is a California or Huntsville thing for that matter.
Anyways, back to the point. Seattle and Houston have equal name recognition in the US. Anyone living in America will recognize these two cities by name. Neither city is exactly world famous, but internationally, I'd also say they're about tied. Houston's advantages are that it's bigger, more economically powerful and has a much more diverse immigrant population. Seattle's advantages are that it's famous for Bill Gates/Microsoft, it has a pretty famous music scene, and tourists actually want to go there and visit.
Trimac, you should drop the Seattle name recognition obsession.
How many times to people have to say that the question is too abstract? It depends on the area of the world you're talking about. In Latin America, no way is Seattle more well known than Houston. In Asia, perhaps Seattle is better known. It just depends.
International = the mostly white, Western society. Ethnic brown people don't matter as much.
With that said, I believe Seattle might have more global recognition.
International = the mostly white, Western society. Ethnic brown people don't matter as much.
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If thats the case Houston and Dallas would be screwed. There is very little white migration to either. There is tons of Latin American, Asian, African, Indian, etc. immigration, but if those dont matter...
If thats the case Houston and Dallas would be screwed. There is very little white migration to either. There is tons of Latin American, Asian, African, Indian, etc. immigration, but if those dont matter...
Of course I know they matter. I'm saying that it seems the popular perception here is that they matter less.
Of course I know they matter. I'm saying that it seems the popular perception here is that they matter less.
I know. I picked up on it. I was trying to play into what you were saying. Guess I didnt do it very well...
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