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Because most people in the world would answer this a resounding "New York City." And that's what the poll asked.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheese plate
Haha, when did I say any of this? Take a course on psychological projection and get back to me. The guy you're gladhanding above says I'm taking the anti-intellectual route, and you're saying the opposite. So which is it?
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Nowhere in the OP does it say "if someone from Shanghai wanted to visit the most exclusively American city on that poll, I'd send them to _____," it clearly says which option would more PEOPLE find American. And, in this universe, the answer would be NYC. But not in the C-D universe, where Chicago tops just about every poll it's included in. Which is fine, I love Chicago. But get real.
And your assertion that I "overvalue the uneducated opinions of the masses" shows how laughably off-base you are, considering I've concentrated large chunks of my life to exposing underground art, music, and the like...and not a single person who's ever met me would contend that. In fact, quite the opposite.
And this exact same kind of poll (what city is most american/best displays americana) has already been done to DEATH here. And what, exactly, did those accomplish?
Youve confused what is most American with what is popular. New York is obviously the most recognized city in America. It is not the most typical city in America.
If you want to go further than the major players, the most American cities would probably be Omaha and Kansas City.
The problem is that the question is kinda circular. What most people around the world would view or describe as "American" is based on what they are exposed to in movies and on TV -- ie NY and LA (NY more so I would say). Since that's what they are exposed to and think represents America, those are the cities that will embody for them the image of a quintessentially American city. That doesn't mean that the image is accurate.
I've confused nothing. Ask a foreigner this exact poll question, and they will largely come back with NYC. Popularity has nothing to do with it, unless you mean "most popular answer."
It is, however, literally impossible to come up with the "most American" city. For an incredible amount of reasons. How is Omaha like Boston or Miami or LA or Seattle etc? How, exactly, does it encompass what it is to be "American" more than, say, Philly? Have you ever been to KC or Omaha?
The problem is that the question is kinda circular. What most people around the world would view or describe as "American" is based on what they are exposed to in movies and on TV -- ie NY and LA (NY more so I would say). Since that's what they are exposed to and think represents America, those are the cities that will embody for them the image of a quintessentially American city. That doesn't mean that the image is accurate.
The problem is that the question is kinda circular. What most people around the world would view or describe as "American" is based on what they are exposed to in movies and on TV -- ie NY and LA (NY more so I would say). Since that's what they are exposed to and think represents America, those are the cities that will embody for them the image of a quintessentially American city. That doesn't mean that the image is accurate.
Again though, thats whats popular. Americans as a rule have a better idea of what America is like vs. people from Pakistan, Poland, Rwanda, or wherever.
What a person who has never been to America thinks is "American" has nothing to do with what is most American.
To answer a post earlier where it was asked whats more American than the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge, lots of things. Those things are specific to New York. You dont find a Statue of Liberty and a Brooklyn bridge in every city. For a city to be quentessentally American, it needs to be a cultural characteristic found in many parts of the country.
Again though, thats whats popular. Americans as a rule have a better idea of what America is like vs. people from Pakistan, Poland, Rwanda, or wherever.
What a person who has never been to America thinks is "American" has nothing to do with what is most American.
To answer a post earlier where it was asked whats more American than the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge, lots of things. Those things are specific to New York. You dont find a Statue of Liberty and a Brooklyn bridge in every city. For a city to be quentessentally American, it needs to be a cultural characteristic found in many parts of the country.
Everything you wrote (including the bolded) is correct. Except it's not responsive to the question in the OP (as best as I can read it at least). The question doesn't ask which city embodies what is most American. It asks what city embodies what people would view or describe as most American. And what people (at least outside of the U.S. -- ie most of the world) would view as most American may not be what is in fact most American.
Haha, when did I say any of this? Take a course on psychological projection and get back to me. The guy you're gladhanding above says I'm taking the anti-intellectual route, and you're saying the opposite. So which is it?
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Nowhere in the OP does it say "if someone from Shanghai wanted to visit the most exclusively American city on that poll, I'd send them to _____," it clearly says which option would more PEOPLE find American. And, in this universe, the answer would be NYC. But not in the C-D universe, where Chicago tops just about every poll it's included in. Which is fine, I love Chicago. But get real.
And your assertion that I "overvalue the uneducated opinions of the masses" shows how laughably off-base you are, considering I've concentrated large chunks of my life to exposing underground art, music, and the like...and not a single person who's ever met me would contend that. In fact, quite the opposite.
And this exact same kind of poll (what city is most american/best displays americana) has already been done to DEATH here. And what, exactly, did those accomplish?
The problem is that the question is kinda circular. What most people around the world would view or describe as "American" is based on what they are exposed to in movies and on TV -- ie NY and LA (NY more so I would say). Since that's what they are exposed to and think represents America, those are the cities that will embody for them the image of a quintessentially American city. That doesn't mean that the image is accurate.
Thank You.That is exactly the point.You said it as it should be.It's two questions
Everything you wrote (including the bolded) is correct. Except it's not responsive to the question in the OP (as best as I can read it at least). The question doesn't ask which city embodies what is most American. It asks what city embodies what people would view or describe as most American. And what people (at least outside of the U.S. -- ie most of the world) would view as most American may not be what is in fact most American.
Well its kinda two questions.In the title it does ask what is quintessentially American but then in the body it ask what is viewed as American.Either answer is ok.
I've confused nothing. Ask a foreigner this exact poll question, and they will largely come back with NYC. Popularity has nothing to do with it, unless you mean "most popular answer."
It is, however, literally impossible to come up with the "most American" city. For an incredible amount of reasons. How is Omaha like Boston or Miami or LA or Seattle etc? How, exactly, does it encompass what it is to be "American" more than, say, Philly? Have you ever been to KC or Omaha?
I did.That's why I asked the question on here.Im sitting in a room watching the basketball game with 4 Germans,a Brazilian,2 Russians and a Ukranian.
They said different things.Many said LA.Others said NYC,Chicago and D.C.
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