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What Pop Culture Makes You Proud to Be American?

Jul 3, 2009#1

ElJuski

Shamelessly ripped from this great AVClub article: http://www.avclub.com/articles/american ... e,29967/1/

What piece of pop culture makes you proud to be an American?

Well, number one for me, of course, is Achewood. Goddamn does Christ Onstad know how to write, and it's amazing how well he can characterize obsessions of Americana (although he takes the foodie angle way too far for my liking). Onstad is a brilliant writer born and raised in the throes of American pop culture, and it shows.

Another piece of pop culture that makes me want to wave a flag is the Venture Bros, which is such a wonderful representation of American pop culture in general, which is America's major and most fabulous export. The shows energy and exuberant, parody-intensive universe is a love letter to the one thing America gives freely to itself and the world--pop culture itself, the mythology of the now, the zeitgeist of a teen nation. Which brings me to...

Nirvana. Hot damn do I love rock n' roll and holy shit do I love Nirvana. They may be overrated, but they are a definitive sound and Cobain is a definitive voice of the disilusioned youth I had the chance of growing up right after. And, though Nirvana gives all credit to the Pixies (the Japanese fucking love the Pixies, apparently), Nirvana has that weird energy I could only imagine coming from the disenfranchised, yet naive youth in America.

Lastly, of course, there's shit like The Simpsons which is now a universal staple...and Bruce Springsteen, fighting for the working man, his iconic song forever misinterpreted by idiots and Reagans everywhere.

NOW HOW ABOUT YOU FUCKERS?

Jul 3, 2009#2

@Li3n

Nirvana was only overrated because every other grunge band sucked...

Jul 3, 2009#3

Bowielee

I really don't think Achewood is pop culture.

Geek culture, yes, but pop culture, no.

Jul 3, 2009#4

ElJuski

Bowielee said:
I really don't think Achewood is pop culture.

Geek culture, yes, but pop culture, no.

:blue: and these are exclusive......hhhhhhoooooowwwwwww? ? ?

?

?

Jul 3, 2009#5

Bowielee

ElJuski said:
Bowielee said:

I really don't think Achewood is pop culture.

Geek culture, yes, but pop culture, no.

Click to expand...

:blue: and these are exclusive......hhhhhhoooooowwwwwww? ? ?

?

?

The pop in pop culture stands for Popular, as in popular with the general populace.

Jul 3, 2009#6

Jazz.

Jul 3, 2009#7

sixpackshaker

Pop Culture is normally a

See the Transformers thread.

Jul 3, 2009#8

Allen, who is Quiet

ZenMonkey said:
Jazz.

also the blues.

Jul 3, 2009#9

ElJuski

Bowielee said:
ElJuski said:

Bowielee said:

I really don't think Achewood is pop culture.

Geek culture, yes, but pop culture, no.

Click to expand...

:blue: and these are exclusive......hhhhhhoooooowwwwwww? ? ?

?

?

Click to expand...

The pop in pop culture stands for Popular, as in popular with the general populace.

Yeah, well, when you have a country whose main export is different popular cultures, pop culture becomes an expanse. But that's okay, you can continue to believe that geek culture doesn't comprise of pop culture.

Or, you know, be anal about it on what was supposed to be a fun, easy going thread.

Jul 3, 2009#10

Shegokigo

ElJuski said:
Or, you know, be anal about it.

Does Bowielee have much option?

aranoid:
To relate to Juski's point however, I give you:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Fs7IpNVCo:3kvqtuz0][/youtube:3kvqtuz0]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT8maUTzE48:3kvqtuz0][/youtube:3kvqtuz0]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FET09MYis_g:3kvqtuz0][/youtube:3kvqtuz0]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRwNr9gp1jo:3kvqtuz0][/youtube:3kvqtuz0]

Jul 3, 2009#11

Bowielee

OK, I mean popular in the mainstream.

Ask the average person on the street what Achewood is and they will not know.

Ask the average person on the street what world of warcraft is, and they will know.

I'm not trying to be nitpicky, but I can guarantee you that the vast majority of the american populace doesn't even know that Achewood exists.

Jul 3, 2009#12

Gurpel

Bowielee said:
OK, I mean popular in the mainstream.

Ask the average person on the street what Achewood is and they will not know.

Ask the average person on the street what world of warcraft is, and they will know.

I'm not trying to be nitpicky, but I can guarantee you that the vast majority of the american populace doesn't even know that Achewood exists.

^ this, basically. as cool as achewood is, it isn't pop culture. ez rock, rap, and mtv are pop culture. a trendy webcomic is not pop culture. a cartoon for stoners is not pop culture. pop culture is where talent goes to die.

if you ever told kurt cobain that he was one of your favorite pop culture icons, he probably would have cried.

Jul 3, 2009#13

Bowielee

Gurpel said:
Bowielee said:

OK, I mean popular in the mainstream.

Ask the average person on the street what Achewood is and they will not know.

Ask the average person on the street what world of warcraft is, and they will know.

I'm not trying to be nitpicky, but I can guarantee you that the vast majority of the american populace doesn't even know that Achewood exists.

Click to expand...

^ this, basically. as cool as achewood is, it isn't pop culture. ez rock, rap, and mtv are pop culture. a trendy webcomic is not pop culture. a cartoon for stoners is not pop culture. pop culture is where talent goes to die.

if you ever told kurt cobain that he was one of your favorite pop culture icons, he probably would have cried.

Or commited sui...

oh..

Jul 3, 2009#14

Gurpel

Jul 3, 2009#15

ElJuski

Bowielee said:
I'm not trying to be nitpicky, but I can guarantee you that the vast majority of the american populace doesn't even know that Achewood exists.

No, that is exactly what you are trying to do, is be nitpicky. Just fucking say what pop culture makes YOU proud as YOU DEFINE it or get the fuck out of a lighthearted thread, man.

Jul 3, 2009#16

North_Ranger

Can us internationals pitch in with our own sources of popular culture national pride?

Jul 3, 2009#17

Allen, who is Quiet

i would also like to submit rock and roll.

Jul 3, 2009#18

Far

Jul 3, 2009#19

ElJuski

North_Ranger said:
Can us internationals pitch in with our own sources of popular culture national pride?

Fuck yeah son

Jul 3, 2009#20

North_Ranger

Allen said:
i would also like to submit rock and roll.

and

Jul 3, 2009#21

Allen, who is Quiet

yes, that is the gist of what i said

Jul 3, 2009#22

ElJuski

Also, having just fully digested the Kurt Cobain thing...

LOOK AROUND YOU AND TELL ME HOW KURT COBAIN DIDN'T HELP DEFINE THE MAINSTREAM ROCK N' ROLL SCENE

-- Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:47 pm --

Also: Did any of you read the linked article? That might give you some suggestions beyond your narrow, obviously pissy worldview of what "pop culture" entails.

Jul 3, 2009#23

Gurpel

ElJuski said:
Also, having just fully digested the Kurt Cobain thing...

LOOK AROUND YOU AND TELL ME HOW KURT COBAIN DIDN'T HELP DEFINE THE MAINSTREAM ROCK N' ROLL SCENE

well, he did. i never said he didn't. i just said that it is an honour he wouldn't have wanted.

Jul 3, 2009#24

Shegokigo

ElJuski said:
Also, having just fully digested the Kurt Cobain thing...

LOOK AROUND YOU AND TELL ME HOW KURT COBAIN DIDN'T HELP DEFINE THE MAINSTREAM ROCK N' ROLL SCENE

-- Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:47 pm --

Also: Did any of you read the linked article? That might give you some suggestions beyond your narrow, obviously * worldview of what "pop culture" entails.

So much for lighthearted eh? :slywink:

Jul 3, 2009#25

ElJuski

I know. I would go the Mav route and say modz lck plz, but...fuck it, I've got a two and a half hour drive and maybe, just maaaybe this thread could turn around.

Jul 3, 2009#26

Shegokigo

ElJuski said:
I know. I would go the Mav route and say modz lck plz, but...smurf it, I've got a two and a half hour drive and maybe, just maaaybe this thread could turn around.

Well not if I have anything to say about it.

My favorite pop culture icon for America is Transformers by Michael Bay. :twisted:

Jul 3, 2009#27

The Lovely Boehner

ElJuski said:
I know. I would go the Mav route and say modz lck plz, but...

....you're not a pussy.

I don't think "pop music" = "popular music" the same way that "pop culture" isn't the same as "popular culture".

Jul 3, 2009#28

Shakey

Personally I'd say Hank Williams. His music just seemed to be truly authentic. He really threw himself out there for everyone to see, and never backed down from it. He lived and died the rock and roll lifestyle before there was even rock and roll. His lyrics translated through to just about any style of music. Most of the early rock stars covered his music when they were starting out, and people still cover his music. "Cold, Cold Heart" was recorded by Tony Bennett, Johnny Cash, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Aretha Franklin, Bill Haley & His Comets, Norah Jones, Lucinda Williams, Freddy Fender, and others. I'm not a huge country music fan, but I love the classics. I always found it interesting that the last song he recorded was "I'll never get out of this world alive" before dying at 29.

Im not gonna worry wrinkles in my brow
cause nothins ever gonna be alright nohow
No matter how I struggle and strive
Ill never get out of this world alive.

Good enough Juicy?

Jul 3, 2009#29

Shegokigo

Good one Shakey, though I preferred Cash over Williams.

Jul 3, 2009#30

Shakey

Yeah, it's definitely a toss up between those two. I know a lot of people just don't like the twangy sound of Williams. Cash probably had more of a direct influence on rock since he was out there when everything was happening.

Jul 3, 2009#31

Allen, who is Quiet

ElJuski said:
Also: Did any of you read the linked article? That might give you some suggestions beyond your narrow, obviously pissy worldview of what "pop culture" entails.

what? you want me to go into detail about it? eh, fine. need something to do while waiting for the water to boil.

the blues is the most american thing i can think of. the blues are made up of influences from all over, with european harmonies and instruments combined with traditional african musical sensibilities. when it came to playing the guitar, many had no idea how to play it the proper way, so they played it their way, with their own tunings and what-not.

the way the blues evolved was based off of urban migration and travel. the traditional mississippi delta blues grew into something more when many bluesmen followed the rails to chicago. the blues began to fill dance clubs, and gave jazz musicians new musical tools to play with.

eventually, the blues spawned the musical genre of rock and roll, which changed the popular music. the blues started from the bottom and worked its way up to the top, becoming one of the biggest musical genres.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd60nI4sa9A:2p9x4ip2][/youtube:2p9x4ip2]

Jul 3, 2009#32

Chazwozel

Mother fucking Rocky. American icon in the flesh!

Jul 3, 2009#33

figmentPez

Is Dirty Jobs sufficiently Americana? Seriously, that show is awesome.
"My name is Mike Rowe, and this is my job: I explore the country looking for people who aren't afraid to get dirty—hard-working men and women who earn an honest living doing the kinds of jobs that make civilized life possible for the rest of us. Now... get ready, to get dirty."
A much better celebration of hard-work in America than John Ratzenberger's Made in America (which isn't a bad show, it's just bland in comparison).

Jul 3, 2009#34

Shegokigo

Chazwozel said:
Mother smurfing Rocky. American icon in the flesh!

Pssst... he's Italian. :slywink:

Jul 3, 2009#35

figmentPez

Shegokigo said:
Pssst... he's Italian. :slywink:

Yup, Italian like spaghetti and meatballs! Or pepperoni pizza!

Jul 3, 2009#36

DarkAudit

North_Ranger said:
Can us internationals pitch in with our own sources of popular culture national pride?

What have you got besides sauna and Krisse?

Jul 3, 2009#37

Shakey

I need to get some blues albums. I don't have much exposure to them, but some of the stories of those artists are incredible. From Lead Belly's Wikipedia.

Lead Belly's volatile nature sometimes led him into trouble with the law. In 1915 he was convicted "of carrying a pistol" and sentenced to do time on the Harrison County chain gang, from which he miraculously escaped, finding work in nearby Bowie county under the assumed name of Walter Boyd. In January 1918 he was imprisoned a second time, this time after killing one of his relatives, Will Stafford, in a fight over a woman. In 1918 he was incarcerated in Sugar Land, Texas, where he probably learned the song "Midnight Special".[4] In 1925 he was pardoned and released, having served seven years, or virtually all of the minimum of his seven-to-35-year sentence, after writing a song appealing to Governor Pat Morris Neff for his freedom. Lead Belly had swayed Governor Neff by appealing to his strong religious values. That, in combination with good behavior (including entertaining by playing for the guards and fellow prisoners), was Lead Belly's ticket out of jail. It was quite a testament to his persuasive powers, as Neff had run for governor on a pledge not to issue pardons (pardon by the governor was at that time the only recourse for prisoners, since in most Southern prisons there was no provision for parole). According to Charles K. Wolf and Kip Lornell's book, The Life and Legend of Leadbelly (1999), Neff had regularly brought guests to the prison on Sunday picnics to hear Lead Belly perform.

In 1930, Lead Belly was back in prison, after a summary trial, this time in Louisiana, for attempted homicide — he had knifed a white man in a fight. It was there, three years later, that he was "discovered" by musicologists John Lomax and his eighteen-year-old son Alan Lomax during a visit to the Angola Prison Farm. They were enchanted by Lead Belly's talent, passion, and singularity as a performer and recorded hundreds of his songs on portable aluminum disc recording equipment for the Library of Congress. They returned to record in July of the following year (1934). On August 1, Lead Belly was released (again having served almost all of his minimum sentence), this time after the Lomaxes had taken a petition to Louisiana Governor O.K. Allen at Lead Belly's urgent request. The petition was on the other side of a recording of his signature song, "Goodnight Irene." A prison official later wrote to John Lomax denying that Lead Belly's singing had anything to do his release from Angola, and state prison records confirm that he was eligible for early release due to good behavior. A descendant of his has also confirmed this. For a time, however, both Lead Belly and the Lomaxes believed that the record they had taken to the governor had hastened his release from Angola.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh-hr2YxwoY:1u6udmhj][/youtube:1u6udmhj]

Jul 3, 2009#38

Philosopher B.

If one were to look over the list of my favorite authors, one would probably note that quite a few of them are British. Mark Twain, however, is one of the more glaring exceptions. He often wrote of a different time in America with wit, knowledge, and insight not found many other places. Perhaps the greatest accolade I can give to him is that of 'the classics' one invariably hears of, I instantly think of him as one of the true American authors who were ahead of their time, stood the test of time, and will continue to be very readable (or at the least, fascinating) far into the future. While I love his more acclaimed books about Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, I am also a fan of his lesser-known works such as Pudd'nhead Wilson, on which I wrote an 'A' paper for a Lit II class on why it wasn't to be overlooked. Anyone who calls his books racist or demands access to them to be restricted is clearly an ignoramus and an unread schmuck.

Aside from the general awesomeness and authenticity of his writing, I also just plain like reading about the man's antics. I once read that, upon objecting to changes to one of his manuscripts, he stormed in upon the guilty parties and proclaimed something along the lines of, 'As the editor you can omit what might offend you ... but God himself does not have the right to put words in my mouth!'

Jul 3, 2009#39

That's awesome but I could have gone my whole life without seeing Mark Twain's nipples.

Jul 3, 2009#40

Chazwozel

Shegokigo said:
Chazwozel said:

Mother smurfing Rocky. American icon in the flesh!

Click to expand...

Pssst... he's Italian. :slywink:

Yeah, heritage wise...

Jul 4, 2009#41

ElJuski

ZenMonkey said:
That's awesome but I could have gone my whole life without seeing Mark Twain's nipples.

God a million times this.

By the way, good additions, everyone. Yer doin it rite

Jul 4, 2009#42

Allen, who is Quiet

aw shucks

Jul 4, 2009#43

Cuyval Dar

Richard Dean Anderson.
He has played two incredibly iconic roles, Macgyver and Colonel Jack O'Neill.

Jul 4, 2009#44

JCM

Michael Jackson fandom. 12 suicides, and this-

But jokes aside, pretty much every other great 20th-21st century scientific discovery, theory, technological advance or even books, movies and songs, even if not made by an american, had american influence, backing and technology behind it.

You guys deserve to be as proud of it as you like, your country influences the world (and helps/inspires advance) like no other has ever managed to do.

Jul 4, 2009#45

Ravenpoe

Jul 4, 2009#46

Shegokigo

JCM said:

Jul 5, 2009#47

Philosopher B.

ElJuski said:
ZenMonkey said:

That's awesome but I could have gone my whole life without seeing Mark Twain's nipples.

Click to expand...

God a million times this.

Y'all are just jealous of his manly chest-rug. :smug:

Well, except for Zen ...

Jul 5, 2009#48

ElJuski

How...how did that picture even come up? Some sort of strange writer playboy magazine?

Also (I always forget to bring up the Cobain thing)-- as far as him not taking him as a source of American pride, that's looking at it in the jingoistic American pride worldview. The way Cobain makes me proud to be American is in the heart and mindset of American rock n' roll, not waving the flag and shoving a boot up Osama's ass. It's a pride for the ideals of American rock n' roll--and the gritty drunk, doped-out heart that drives it.

There's plenty of ways to have pride for America without sounding like Hank Hill. That's at least one awesome thing about this country--a million voices, a million cultures...oh and beer. God bless American watered down crispy goodness.

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