Europe's strange fascination with the US
Aug 8th 2003, 9:55 am
#16
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
"grey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> As others have remarked, the US is very insular, so it's no wonder
> that little attention is paid to Europe. The thinking in the US was
> that Europe was the first line of defense against the USSR, but the
> USSR is not a threat now.
> As to the cultural imperialism. The culture and general menatlity of
> the US is that of a child, more or less an adolesent. There's a reason
> for that as far as the entertainment industry goes--many years ago,
> studies were done indicating that companies should try to get
> adolescents as customers because, being impressionable, they'll be
> customers for life. So gradually--and the process is very nearly
> complete now--the US entertainment industry, including movies, tv,
> magazines, books, and so on, became targeted almost exclusively to
> 16-24 year olds, which is the demographic that all advertisers
> (mistakenly) want to hit. The resulting splashy violent-and-sexy
> pabulum you see does appeal in a sort of fascination-type way, and
> it's also sought after now by advertisers in other countries. For a
> long time, US entertainment held sway around the world, but that is
> definitely slipping now.
> Which is great! Maybe they'll print magazines and produce a few movies
> for adults now!! Last popular US movie for an adult audience was "A
> Beautiful Mind", which was, what, 2 years ago? And no "Seabiscuit",
> which is quite good but certainly not great. However, the movie
> industry wants to target the 16-24 types on the belief that they
> apprently are more likely to see movies multiple times.
> So it's all advertising based. Think of that next time you hook into
> popular culture--no matter what you're watching, it's really an ad.
And still they do not realise that we oldies have the money and the time:-)
Often I am asked to participate in a market research surveys but when they
find out my age they say that I am outwith their age range.
Derek.
news:[email protected]...
> As others have remarked, the US is very insular, so it's no wonder
> that little attention is paid to Europe. The thinking in the US was
> that Europe was the first line of defense against the USSR, but the
> USSR is not a threat now.
> As to the cultural imperialism. The culture and general menatlity of
> the US is that of a child, more or less an adolesent. There's a reason
> for that as far as the entertainment industry goes--many years ago,
> studies were done indicating that companies should try to get
> adolescents as customers because, being impressionable, they'll be
> customers for life. So gradually--and the process is very nearly
> complete now--the US entertainment industry, including movies, tv,
> magazines, books, and so on, became targeted almost exclusively to
> 16-24 year olds, which is the demographic that all advertisers
> (mistakenly) want to hit. The resulting splashy violent-and-sexy
> pabulum you see does appeal in a sort of fascination-type way, and
> it's also sought after now by advertisers in other countries. For a
> long time, US entertainment held sway around the world, but that is
> definitely slipping now.
> Which is great! Maybe they'll print magazines and produce a few movies
> for adults now!! Last popular US movie for an adult audience was "A
> Beautiful Mind", which was, what, 2 years ago? And no "Seabiscuit",
> which is quite good but certainly not great. However, the movie
> industry wants to target the 16-24 types on the belief that they
> apprently are more likely to see movies multiple times.
> So it's all advertising based. Think of that next time you hook into
> popular culture--no matter what you're watching, it's really an ad.
And still they do not realise that we oldies have the money and the time:-)
Often I am asked to participate in a market research surveys but when they
find out my age they say that I am outwith their age range.
Derek.
Aug 8th 2003, 10:04 am
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
"Gregory Morrow" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> grey wrote:
> > As others have remarked, the US is very insular,
> Certain groups or *segments* of the US are very insular. All of my
friends
> and many of my family are well - travelled, enjoy the fruits of other
> cultures (cuisine, etc.), speak foreign languages, are well - informed
about
> events abroad, and are in daily contact with people from all around the
> world (the couple in the flat next to me are Italian, transferred here for
> jobs; on the other sideof me are some Chinese grad students...my building
> janitor and his family are from Albania, etc.....AND I've got USENET! ;-).
> 'Course this in central Chicago. Things get considerably less
cosmopolitan
> in say, rural Texas or Idaho (or even in suburban Chicago..).
> --
> Best
> Greg
"Scatland" he said where's that? I told him and he said 'You're some kind
of English rube' Another time when visiting American friends for dinner
their college student daughter asked what time we were going back to London.
I told her that we were in America for a month. She said that she thought
that we had just come for the day. Our hostess said that she knew what the
British liked and produced a very warm beer and a practically frozen red
wine.
Derek.
news:[email protected]...
> grey wrote:
> > As others have remarked, the US is very insular,
> Certain groups or *segments* of the US are very insular. All of my
friends
> and many of my family are well - travelled, enjoy the fruits of other
> cultures (cuisine, etc.), speak foreign languages, are well - informed
about
> events abroad, and are in daily contact with people from all around the
> world (the couple in the flat next to me are Italian, transferred here for
> jobs; on the other sideof me are some Chinese grad students...my building
> janitor and his family are from Albania, etc.....AND I've got USENET! ;-).
> 'Course this in central Chicago. Things get considerably less
cosmopolitan
> in say, rural Texas or Idaho (or even in suburban Chicago..).
> --
> Best
> Greg
"Scatland" he said where's that? I told him and he said 'You're some kind
of English rube' Another time when visiting American friends for dinner
their college student daughter asked what time we were going back to London.
I told her that we were in America for a month. She said that she thought
that we had just come for the day. Our hostess said that she knew what the
British liked and produced a very warm beer and a practically frozen red
wine.
Derek.
Aug 8th 2003, 10:06 am
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
"Richard" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Casey,
> I'm still in Southern CA,and I agree..
> Richard
Where I found it difficult to get non Mexican food for breakfast:-)
Derek.
news:[email protected]...
> Casey,
> I'm still in Southern CA,and I agree..
> Richard
Where I found it difficult to get non Mexican food for breakfast:-)
Derek.
Aug 8th 2003, 10:18 am
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
Derek F wrote:
> "Scatland" he said where's that? I told him and he said 'You're some kind
> of English rube' Another time when visiting American friends for dinner
> their college student daughter asked what time we were going back to
London.
> I told her that we were in America for a month. She said that she thought
> that we had just come for the day. Our hostess said that she knew what the
> British liked and produced a very warm beer and a practically frozen red
> wine.
Lol...isn't the last (beer and wine) pretty well true...???
--
Best
Greg
> "Scatland" he said where's that? I told him and he said 'You're some kind
> of English rube' Another time when visiting American friends for dinner
> their college student daughter asked what time we were going back to
London.
> I told her that we were in America for a month. She said that she thought
> that we had just come for the day. Our hostess said that she knew what the
> British liked and produced a very warm beer and a practically frozen red
> wine.
Lol...isn't the last (beer and wine) pretty well true...???
--
Best
Greg
Aug 8th 2003, 10:32 am
#20
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
"Derek F" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "grey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > As others have remarked, the US is very insular, so it's no wonder
> > that little attention is paid to Europe. The thinking in the US was
> > that Europe was the first line of defense against the USSR, but the
> > USSR is not a threat now.
> >
> > As to the cultural imperialism. The culture and general menatlity of
> > the US is that of a child, more or less an adolesent. There's a reason
> > for that as far as the entertainment industry goes--many years ago,
> > studies were done indicating that companies should try to get
> > adolescents as customers because, being impressionable, they'll be
> > customers for life. So gradually--and the process is very nearly
> > complete now--the US entertainment industry, including movies, tv,
> > magazines, books, and so on, became targeted almost exclusively to
> > 16-24 year olds, which is the demographic that all advertisers
> > (mistakenly) want to hit. The resulting splashy violent-and-sexy
> > pabulum you see does appeal in a sort of fascination-type way, and
> > it's also sought after now by advertisers in other countries. For a
> > long time, US entertainment held sway around the world, but that is
> > definitely slipping now.
> >
> > Which is great! Maybe they'll print magazines and produce a few movies
> > for adults now!! Last popular US movie for an adult audience was "A
> > Beautiful Mind", which was, what, 2 years ago? And no "Seabiscuit",
> > which is quite good but certainly not great. However, the movie
> > industry wants to target the 16-24 types on the belief that they
> > apprently are more likely to see movies multiple times.
> >
> > So it's all advertising based. Think of that next time you hook into
> > popular culture--no matter what you're watching, it's really an ad.
> >
> And still they do not realise that we oldies have the money and the
time:-)
> Often I am asked to participate in a market research surveys but when they
> find out my age they say that I am outwith their age range.
> Derek.
The money and the time, but not the inclination to spend it. Older folks
are less likely to spend their money on fashion, electronic gadgets, and
music. However, the cruise industry certainly love older folks.
news:[email protected]...
> "grey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > As others have remarked, the US is very insular, so it's no wonder
> > that little attention is paid to Europe. The thinking in the US was
> > that Europe was the first line of defense against the USSR, but the
> > USSR is not a threat now.
> >
> > As to the cultural imperialism. The culture and general menatlity of
> > the US is that of a child, more or less an adolesent. There's a reason
> > for that as far as the entertainment industry goes--many years ago,
> > studies were done indicating that companies should try to get
> > adolescents as customers because, being impressionable, they'll be
> > customers for life. So gradually--and the process is very nearly
> > complete now--the US entertainment industry, including movies, tv,
> > magazines, books, and so on, became targeted almost exclusively to
> > 16-24 year olds, which is the demographic that all advertisers
> > (mistakenly) want to hit. The resulting splashy violent-and-sexy
> > pabulum you see does appeal in a sort of fascination-type way, and
> > it's also sought after now by advertisers in other countries. For a
> > long time, US entertainment held sway around the world, but that is
> > definitely slipping now.
> >
> > Which is great! Maybe they'll print magazines and produce a few movies
> > for adults now!! Last popular US movie for an adult audience was "A
> > Beautiful Mind", which was, what, 2 years ago? And no "Seabiscuit",
> > which is quite good but certainly not great. However, the movie
> > industry wants to target the 16-24 types on the belief that they
> > apprently are more likely to see movies multiple times.
> >
> > So it's all advertising based. Think of that next time you hook into
> > popular culture--no matter what you're watching, it's really an ad.
> >
> And still they do not realise that we oldies have the money and the
time:-)
> Often I am asked to participate in a market research surveys but when they
> find out my age they say that I am outwith their age range.
> Derek.
The money and the time, but not the inclination to spend it. Older folks
are less likely to spend their money on fashion, electronic gadgets, and
music. However, the cruise industry certainly love older folks.
Aug 8th 2003, 11:03 am
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
"Peter L" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Derek F" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > "grey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > As others have remarked, the US is very insular, so it's no wonder
> > > that little attention is paid to Europe. The thinking in the US was
> > > that Europe was the first line of defense against the USSR, but the
> > > USSR is not a threat now.
> > >
> > > As to the cultural imperialism. The culture and general menatlity of
> > > the US is that of a child, more or less an adolesent. There's a reason
> > > for that as far as the entertainment industry goes--many years ago,
> > > studies were done indicating that companies should try to get
> > > adolescents as customers because, being impressionable, they'll be
> > > customers for life. So gradually--and the process is very nearly
> > > complete now--the US entertainment industry, including movies, tv,
> > > magazines, books, and so on, became targeted almost exclusively to
> > > 16-24 year olds, which is the demographic that all advertisers
> > > (mistakenly) want to hit. The resulting splashy violent-and-sexy
> > > pabulum you see does appeal in a sort of fascination-type way, and
> > > it's also sought after now by advertisers in other countries. For a
> > > long time, US entertainment held sway around the world, but that is
> > > definitely slipping now.
> > >
> > > Which is great! Maybe they'll print magazines and produce a few movies
> > > for adults now!! Last popular US movie for an adult audience was "A
> > > Beautiful Mind", which was, what, 2 years ago? And no "Seabiscuit",
> > > which is quite good but certainly not great. However, the movie
> > > industry wants to target the 16-24 types on the belief that they
> > > apprently are more likely to see movies multiple times.
> > >
> > > So it's all advertising based. Think of that next time you hook into
> > > popular culture--no matter what you're watching, it's really an ad.
> > >
> > And still they do not realise that we oldies have the money and the
> time:-)
> > Often I am asked to participate in a market research surveys but when
they
> > find out my age they say that I am outwith their age range.
> > Derek.
> The money and the time, but not the inclination to spend it. Older folks
> are less likely to spend their money on fashion, electronic gadgets, and
> music. However, the cruise industry certainly love older folks.
I have never been on a cruise in my life and very seldom on a package
holiday unless it was a terrific bargain of the type that Voyages Jules
Verne used to have. Us Silver Surfers spend fortunes on the latest computer
and electronic gadgets and have probably replaced our music collections
several times, from 78's to LP's to tape and now to CD and DVD. We may not
spend as much on 'fashion' but we are at least better dressed than the kids.
If we don't spend it all our money before we go we will never R.I.P.
Derek.
news:[email protected]...
> "Derek F" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > "grey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > As others have remarked, the US is very insular, so it's no wonder
> > > that little attention is paid to Europe. The thinking in the US was
> > > that Europe was the first line of defense against the USSR, but the
> > > USSR is not a threat now.
> > >
> > > As to the cultural imperialism. The culture and general menatlity of
> > > the US is that of a child, more or less an adolesent. There's a reason
> > > for that as far as the entertainment industry goes--many years ago,
> > > studies were done indicating that companies should try to get
> > > adolescents as customers because, being impressionable, they'll be
> > > customers for life. So gradually--and the process is very nearly
> > > complete now--the US entertainment industry, including movies, tv,
> > > magazines, books, and so on, became targeted almost exclusively to
> > > 16-24 year olds, which is the demographic that all advertisers
> > > (mistakenly) want to hit. The resulting splashy violent-and-sexy
> > > pabulum you see does appeal in a sort of fascination-type way, and
> > > it's also sought after now by advertisers in other countries. For a
> > > long time, US entertainment held sway around the world, but that is
> > > definitely slipping now.
> > >
> > > Which is great! Maybe they'll print magazines and produce a few movies
> > > for adults now!! Last popular US movie for an adult audience was "A
> > > Beautiful Mind", which was, what, 2 years ago? And no "Seabiscuit",
> > > which is quite good but certainly not great. However, the movie
> > > industry wants to target the 16-24 types on the belief that they
> > > apprently are more likely to see movies multiple times.
> > >
> > > So it's all advertising based. Think of that next time you hook into
> > > popular culture--no matter what you're watching, it's really an ad.
> > >
> > And still they do not realise that we oldies have the money and the
> time:-)
> > Often I am asked to participate in a market research surveys but when
they
> > find out my age they say that I am outwith their age range.
> > Derek.
> The money and the time, but not the inclination to spend it. Older folks
> are less likely to spend their money on fashion, electronic gadgets, and
> music. However, the cruise industry certainly love older folks.
I have never been on a cruise in my life and very seldom on a package
holiday unless it was a terrific bargain of the type that Voyages Jules
Verne used to have. Us Silver Surfers spend fortunes on the latest computer
and electronic gadgets and have probably replaced our music collections
several times, from 78's to LP's to tape and now to CD and DVD. We may not
spend as much on 'fashion' but we are at least better dressed than the kids.
If we don't spend it all our money before we go we will never R.I.P.
Derek.
Aug 8th 2003, 11:34 am
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
On Fri, 8 Aug 2003 18:27:44 +0100, "john" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Why is this? People in the US don't sit around going on about what's
>happening in Europe, at least not to the extent of here. I find this very
>strange. also the fascination with American celebrities. It's just plain
>weird and I'm puzzled by it.
I think it's partly because the US is a single country but Europe is
not. It's hard to recognize a specifically "European" culture. I've
noticed Finns have an altogether different outlook on life compared to
say, Italians.
--
Fight the power: http://www.boycott-riaa.com/
wrote:
>Why is this? People in the US don't sit around going on about what's
>happening in Europe, at least not to the extent of here. I find this very
>strange. also the fascination with American celebrities. It's just plain
>weird and I'm puzzled by it.
I think it's partly because the US is a single country but Europe is
not. It's hard to recognize a specifically "European" culture. I've
noticed Finns have an altogether different outlook on life compared to
say, Italians.
--
Fight the power: http://www.boycott-riaa.com/
Aug 8th 2003, 11:46 am
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 21:34:56 +0000, Gregory Morrow wrote:
>
> grey wrote:
>
>> As others have remarked, the US is very insular,
>
> Certain groups or *segments* of the US are very insular. All of my friends
> and many of my family are well - travelled, enjoy the fruits of other
> cultures (cuisine, etc.), speak foreign languages, are well - informed about
> events abroad, and are in daily contact with people from all around the
> world (the couple in the flat next to me are Italian, transferred here for
> jobs; on the other sideof me are some Chinese grad students...my building
> janitor and his family are from Albania, etc.....AND I've got USENET! ;-).
>
> 'Course this in central Chicago. Things get considerably less cosmopolitan
> in say, rural Texas or Idaho (or even in suburban Chicago..).
But when you add up these "certain segments," they add up to a
considerable number of voters. Oh well.
>
> grey wrote:
>
>> As others have remarked, the US is very insular,
>
> Certain groups or *segments* of the US are very insular. All of my friends
> and many of my family are well - travelled, enjoy the fruits of other
> cultures (cuisine, etc.), speak foreign languages, are well - informed about
> events abroad, and are in daily contact with people from all around the
> world (the couple in the flat next to me are Italian, transferred here for
> jobs; on the other sideof me are some Chinese grad students...my building
> janitor and his family are from Albania, etc.....AND I've got USENET! ;-).
>
> 'Course this in central Chicago. Things get considerably less cosmopolitan
> in say, rural Texas or Idaho (or even in suburban Chicago..).
But when you add up these "certain segments," they add up to a
considerable number of voters. Oh well.
Aug 8th 2003, 11:52 am
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
Desmond Coughlan <[email protected]> wrote:
> Le Fri, 8 Aug 2003 20:11:59 +0200, Wolfgang Schwanke
> <[email protected]> a écrit :
>
> { snip }
>
> > The United States have been an important ally and an important cultural
> ^^^^^^^^
>
> Erm ...
Erm what? In my own field of the arts, the US has had a major impact on
Europe. That works both ways, but it's manifest. What branch of arts
(assuming that's what your sneer underlining was hinting at) were you
referring to, exactly? If you're talking about more popular forms of
culture, well I think the US influence (as distinct to just a global
corporate influence) is obvious there too.
David
--
David Horne- www.davidhorne.co.uk
davidhorne (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk
> Le Fri, 8 Aug 2003 20:11:59 +0200, Wolfgang Schwanke
> <[email protected]> a écrit :
>
> { snip }
>
> > The United States have been an important ally and an important cultural
> ^^^^^^^^
>
> Erm ...
Erm what? In my own field of the arts, the US has had a major impact on
Europe. That works both ways, but it's manifest. What branch of arts
(assuming that's what your sneer underlining was hinting at) were you
referring to, exactly? If you're talking about more popular forms of
culture, well I think the US influence (as distinct to just a global
corporate influence) is obvious there too.
David
--
David Horne- www.davidhorne.co.uk
davidhorne (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk
Aug 8th 2003, 6:15 pm
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
"Derek F" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Us Silver Surfers spend fortunes on the
> latest computer and electronic gadgets and have probably replaced our
> music collections several times, from 78's to LP's to tape and now to
> CD and DVD.
You _replace_ your collection with each format change? What waste!
Regards
--
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus ex Maria virgine, gaudete
http://www.wschwanke.de/
news:[email protected]:
> Us Silver Surfers spend fortunes on the
> latest computer and electronic gadgets and have probably replaced our
> music collections several times, from 78's to LP's to tape and now to
> CD and DVD.
You _replace_ your collection with each format change? What waste!
Regards
--
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus ex Maria virgine, gaudete
http://www.wschwanke.de/
Aug 8th 2003, 6:21 pm
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
"Gregory Morrow" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> Wolfgang Schwanke wrote:
>
>> But it's certainly reduced as compared to inside the US. When I'm
>> watching say CNN, I never know who these celebrities are they are
>> talking bout. I tend to know only European ones, but I'm not really
>> interested in what
> they
>> do either
.
>
>
> I'm with you -- I don't care about modern pop culture.
I do! But not its mainstream section. In my part of popular culture,
celebreties aren't important. Most "celebrities" who are gossiped about are
actors from American movies or television, and some pop music stars from
both sides of the Atlantic. I don't ignore movies, television or music, but
tend to prefer European/non-mainstream stuff.
Regards
--
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus ex Maria virgine, gaudete
http://www.wschwanke.de/
news:[email protected]:
>
> Wolfgang Schwanke wrote:
>
>> But it's certainly reduced as compared to inside the US. When I'm
>> watching say CNN, I never know who these celebrities are they are
>> talking bout. I tend to know only European ones, but I'm not really
>> interested in what
> they
>> do either
.>
>
> I'm with you -- I don't care about modern pop culture.
I do! But not its mainstream section. In my part of popular culture,
celebreties aren't important. Most "celebrities" who are gossiped about are
actors from American movies or television, and some pop music stars from
both sides of the Atlantic. I don't ignore movies, television or music, but
tend to prefer European/non-mainstream stuff.
Regards
--
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus ex Maria virgine, gaudete
http://www.wschwanke.de/
Aug 8th 2003, 9:00 pm
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
"Wolfgang Schwanke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Derek F" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
> > Us Silver Surfers spend fortunes on the
> > latest computer and electronic gadgets and have probably replaced our
> > music collections several times, from 78's to LP's to tape and now to
> > CD and DVD.
> You _replace_ your collection with each format change? What waste!
> Regards
No I don't but many obviously do and with the availability of MP3's on the
web there is no need to.
Derek.
news:[email protected]...
> "Derek F" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
> > Us Silver Surfers spend fortunes on the
> > latest computer and electronic gadgets and have probably replaced our
> > music collections several times, from 78's to LP's to tape and now to
> > CD and DVD.
> You _replace_ your collection with each format change? What waste!
> Regards
No I don't but many obviously do and with the availability of MP3's on the
web there is no need to.
Derek.
Aug 8th 2003, 9:43 pm
#28
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
john schrieb:
>
> Having moved to the UK (London) this year, I'm puzzled by Europe's odd kind
> of love/hate fascination with all things American. People are constantly
> obsessing over weird things in the States (stuff that would be considered
> equally weird within the US, but people say "only in America"), or "in the
> US this...in the US that..." like the fat thread next to this one.
>
What you describe may be true in the UK, but why do you generalise for
the rest of Europe?
Tom
> Why is this? People in the US don't sit around going on about what's
> happening in Europe, at least not to the extent of here. I find this very
> strange. also the fascination with American celebrities. It's just plain
> weird and I'm puzzled by it.
>
> Having moved to the UK (London) this year, I'm puzzled by Europe's odd kind
> of love/hate fascination with all things American. People are constantly
> obsessing over weird things in the States (stuff that would be considered
> equally weird within the US, but people say "only in America"), or "in the
> US this...in the US that..." like the fat thread next to this one.
>
What you describe may be true in the UK, but why do you generalise for
the rest of Europe?
Tom
> Why is this? People in the US don't sit around going on about what's
> happening in Europe, at least not to the extent of here. I find this very
> strange. also the fascination with American celebrities. It's just plain
> weird and I'm puzzled by it.
Aug 8th 2003, 9:50 pm
#29
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
"Gregory Morrow" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Now celebrities are celebrities simply because they are *famous* (for being
> *celebrities*....), not for any particular talents they have. Years ago,
> pretty much only Zsa Zsa Gabor or Lana Turner operated on that basis.
Also Eva Gabor and Gore Vidal (who lives in Italy) who says he's
"famous for being famous".
It's not just Europeans who are interested in us. In my experience,
it's people everywhere.
Someone mentioned being asked if a relative was known. In Athens, I
was asked if I knew John Wayne.
Thing that most struck me about the profundity of the interest in, and
knowledge about, us was when I made a comment during a conversation in
Rio about "my governor considering a run for the Presidency". They
said "Ronald Reagan". Can YOU name the premiere/governor of British
Columbia or Chihuahua or any other province or state outside of the
USA?
In addition to the other reasons mentioned about our being so insular,
we have good, not valid, reason for that: Two oceans separate us from
the rest of the Northern Hemisphere.
Also our media of communication pay very little attention to affairs
beyond our borders, a very irresponsible brand of journalism. We
shouldn't be fed what we want to read and see and hear: We should be
fed what's considered, by professionals, to be "important" for us to
read and see and hear.
I think you'll have to look long and hard to find a front page of a
serious newspaper without something about the USA.
You probably all know that my governor is facing a recall election.
It's reported to us that journalists from all over the world are in
California to report the story, that they were there even before
yesterday's declarations of candidacy. They went to report on RAW
democracy in action! They're probably also there to, justifiably,
ridicule us.
My prediction: If the polls show that the vote on "Recall?" is
significantly positive, the Governor will resign, the Lieutenant
Governor Cruz Bustamante will assume office, and the election will not
happen. The state will thus not have to spend more than $30 million
(almost a dollar per resident, very much more per vote) on an election
in which very few citizens would participate.
__________________________________________________ ___________
A San Franciscan in 47.335 mile² San Francisco
http://geocities.com/dancefest/ http://geocities.com/iconoc/
ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 IClast at SFbay Net
> Now celebrities are celebrities simply because they are *famous* (for being
> *celebrities*....), not for any particular talents they have. Years ago,
> pretty much only Zsa Zsa Gabor or Lana Turner operated on that basis.
Also Eva Gabor and Gore Vidal (who lives in Italy) who says he's
"famous for being famous".
It's not just Europeans who are interested in us. In my experience,
it's people everywhere.
Someone mentioned being asked if a relative was known. In Athens, I
was asked if I knew John Wayne.
Thing that most struck me about the profundity of the interest in, and
knowledge about, us was when I made a comment during a conversation in
Rio about "my governor considering a run for the Presidency". They
said "Ronald Reagan". Can YOU name the premiere/governor of British
Columbia or Chihuahua or any other province or state outside of the
USA?
In addition to the other reasons mentioned about our being so insular,
we have good, not valid, reason for that: Two oceans separate us from
the rest of the Northern Hemisphere.
Also our media of communication pay very little attention to affairs
beyond our borders, a very irresponsible brand of journalism. We
shouldn't be fed what we want to read and see and hear: We should be
fed what's considered, by professionals, to be "important" for us to
read and see and hear.
I think you'll have to look long and hard to find a front page of a
serious newspaper without something about the USA.
You probably all know that my governor is facing a recall election.
It's reported to us that journalists from all over the world are in
California to report the story, that they were there even before
yesterday's declarations of candidacy. They went to report on RAW
democracy in action! They're probably also there to, justifiably,
ridicule us.
My prediction: If the polls show that the vote on "Recall?" is
significantly positive, the Governor will resign, the Lieutenant
Governor Cruz Bustamante will assume office, and the election will not
happen. The state will thus not have to spend more than $30 million
(almost a dollar per resident, very much more per vote) on an election
in which very few citizens would participate.
__________________________________________________ ___________
A San Franciscan in 47.335 mile² San Francisco
http://geocities.com/dancefest/ http://geocities.com/iconoc/
ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 IClast at SFbay Net
Aug 8th 2003, 10:09 pm
#30
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe's strange fascination with the US
because I also speak French & some German and watch a lot of French & German
TV and have spent quite a lot of time there. They have the same love/hate
fascination with things American. As far as other European countries go
though, yes, I'm generalising and shouldn't.
"Thomas Peel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> john schrieb:
> >
> > Having moved to the UK (London) this year, I'm puzzled by Europe's odd
kind
> > of love/hate fascination with all things American. People are constantly
> > obsessing over weird things in the States (stuff that would be
considered
> > equally weird within the US, but people say "only in America"), or "in
the
> > US this...in the US that..." like the fat thread next to this one.
> >
> What you describe may be true in the UK, but why do you generalise for
> the rest of Europe?
> Tom
> > Why is this? People in the US don't sit around going on about what's
> > happening in Europe, at least not to the extent of here. I find this
very
> > strange. also the fascination with American celebrities. It's just plain
> > weird and I'm puzzled by it.
TV and have spent quite a lot of time there. They have the same love/hate
fascination with things American. As far as other European countries go
though, yes, I'm generalising and shouldn't.
"Thomas Peel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> john schrieb:
> >
> > Having moved to the UK (London) this year, I'm puzzled by Europe's odd
kind
> > of love/hate fascination with all things American. People are constantly
> > obsessing over weird things in the States (stuff that would be
considered
> > equally weird within the US, but people say "only in America"), or "in
the
> > US this...in the US that..." like the fat thread next to this one.
> >
> What you describe may be true in the UK, but why do you generalise for
> the rest of Europe?
> Tom
> > Why is this? People in the US don't sit around going on about what's
> > happening in Europe, at least not to the extent of here. I find this
very
> > strange. also the fascination with American celebrities. It's just plain
> > weird and I'm puzzled by it.
