Most influential city of the 20th century? (cons, states, building)

[northbound74]

Detroit. The car culture changed everything for everybody... for better or worse.

[strategery52]

OK, I have to put in my brief argument for LA.

The automobile may have been manufactured in Detroit, but "car culture" really developed in LA. This is the first city to develop with the car in mind, promoting the design of such institutions as the supermarket and the drive-through (and fast food for that matter, McDonald's anyone?). In southern California the model of suburbia was fully implemented, and that remains to this day as it is nearly impossible to get around without a car. SoCal was also an early center of aviation, helping promote easier travel around the world. More recently, globalization has vastly increased the amount of cheap goods imported to the US, often from Asia, and where do you think all those goods enter our country?

Socially, tensions between different groups have been played out firsthand in LA. Look at the 1965 and 1992 riots. Yes, there was upheaval in many other cities, but LA's unique mix of peoples helps ensure that it experiences new challenges and changes before the rest of the country.

And finally, of course, our leisure time. It's often spent in front of the TV or movie screen. Do I need to mention where most of the movies, TV shows, and popular music are made? And how much of our thinking is influenced by what we hear in the media nowadays (though, that's not completely LA-centered).

[anonymous]

This poll confirms my suspicion that living in Houston warps a person's reality.

I voted NYC. I don't see how you can vote otherwise. DC might run the world, but NYC runs DC. I'm not sure how anyone could make an argument for LA or Detroit.

[DC's Finest]

NYC runs DC! LOL

"The Most Important City in the Free World"

[basketcase33]

I love Houston, but definitely surprised by the votes there. It's gotta be NYC.

[Steve-o]

WASH D.C. over all. Who is seriously choosing L.A. over D.C.??? While NY and L.A./Chicago/Detroit have all been influential, nothing on the level of D.C.

[Ohiogirl81]

First half, Detroit. Second half ... I was looking for Atlanta, but Houston will do.

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by decafdave

lol I can't believe Houston is second only to NYC in this poll! This proves that polls like this on this site are worth nothing for the info they're trying to find out; only as a glimpse into the minds of the posters.

Of course, its Charleston, SC!! You must have forgotten to put it on the poll

even I, a proud houstonian had to laugh at our number of votes. it's a great city of course, but in no way possible was it even close to being the most influential city of the 20th century. houston, texas is its own little world and half the time couldn't give a damn about the rest of the country

the only cities, and i do mean the ONLY cities that were the most influential were new york and los angeles

[neonwattagelimit]

New York (big gap) Los Angeles (smallish gap) Washington DC (giant gap) Chicago (small gap) Detroit. In that order.

[CMDallas]

Originally Posted by neonwattagelimit

New York (big gap) Los Angeles (smallish gap) Washington DC (giant gap) Chicago (small gap) Detroit. In that order.

I would Put DC first, NYC 2nd, and LA tried and keep everything else the same.
The 20th century was dominated by the cold war, that or world war I or II...last time I checked the President doesn't ask congress to declare war in NYC.
NYC was undoubtedly influential, but once again I don't think NYC holds 2 representatives from each state in one building, or hundreds of representatives from all over the country.
I also see more protests in DC, where most large political decisions are made. Their daily protests in DC, when I went I must have seen at least 3 and I stayed for a weak. they weren't huge protests, but none the less.
Nothing against NYC, you guys win everything anyways...