What Do You Love About America?
Today in the USA is National "What Do You Love About America" Day; a celebration of all that is good and great about our cousins from across the pond. Some historians would have us believe that they've only been going since 1492, when Columbus first set foot in the New World, but others are more convinced that the Welsh Prince Madoc discovered America centuries before in 1170. And let's not forget the Native Americans; they had been around for some 20,000 years before the Europeans arrived.
What ever your take on history, there is no doubting the fact that Americans have made the world a better place. Come on, where would we be without dry ice, first invented in 1925? Still not convinced? Shame on you. Let me talk you through an average day for me and see if I can convince you that we'd be lost without the yanks:
I'm woken on a bright sunny morning by my ALARM CLOCK (1787) and I get up and have breakfast, a nice piece of toast I think, made in my TOASTER (1918). I prepare a quick salad for my lunch and place in my favourite TUPPERWARE (1945) container. I go into the bathroom to put in my CONTACT LENS (1887) and I also need to find a plaster for my finger. I cut it on some BARBED WIRE (1874) as I was climbing over that fence last night. I think I had one too many beers in that karaoke bar; you just couldn't get that MICROPHONE (1877) out of my hand.
Anyway, complete with hangover I set off for work where I'm a director of a FROZEN FOOD (1924) distribution company. The journey to work is great because being a high-powered executive I get to fly in my own HELICOPTER (1939). Don't tell the wife but what I really want is my very own SUBMARINE (1891). It's only a short flight but I still have just to listen to my favourite CD (1972) before landing in reserved space in the car park.
My office is on the 47th floor and while I'm in the lift I notice that my ZIPPER (1891) is broken. Luckily I have an emergency SAFETY PIN (1849) in my pocket - don't want to get caught with my pants down; how would that look in front of the troops? I arrive at the 47th floor, thanks largely to the ELEVATOR BRAKES (1852) only to find the office is empty! I pick up the TELEPHONE (1876) but there's no one on reception; all I can hear is the dull droning of the AIR CONDITIONING (1911).
Where is everyone? Then it suddenly dawns on me; I'm a moron. It's a national holiday today to celebrate the FIRST FLY BY OF URANUS (1986). Still, at least that gives me the day off. That reminds me, I'm going to that party tonight so I need to pick up my suit from the dry cleaners. It's not any old party and it's not any old suit. All in one PVC (1928) - nice!
So did that convince you? Let me know what YOU love about America.
Conversely the Americans have given us McDonalds, line dancing, Britney Spears, the atomic bomb and worst of all, Catwoman the movie. Maybe the jury is still out, you decide.
What ever your take on history, there is no doubting the fact that Americans have made the world a better place. Come on, where would we be without dry ice, first invented in 1925? Still not convinced? Shame on you. Let me talk you through an average day for me and see if I can convince you that we'd be lost without the yanks:
I'm woken on a bright sunny morning by my ALARM CLOCK (1787) and I get up and have breakfast, a nice piece of toast I think, made in my TOASTER (1918). I prepare a quick salad for my lunch and place in my favourite TUPPERWARE (1945) container. I go into the bathroom to put in my CONTACT LENS (1887) and I also need to find a plaster for my finger. I cut it on some BARBED WIRE (1874) as I was climbing over that fence last night. I think I had one too many beers in that karaoke bar; you just couldn't get that MICROPHONE (1877) out of my hand.
Anyway, complete with hangover I set off for work where I'm a director of a FROZEN FOOD (1924) distribution company. The journey to work is great because being a high-powered executive I get to fly in my own HELICOPTER (1939). Don't tell the wife but what I really want is my very own SUBMARINE (1891). It's only a short flight but I still have just to listen to my favourite CD (1972) before landing in reserved space in the car park.
My office is on the 47th floor and while I'm in the lift I notice that my ZIPPER (1891) is broken. Luckily I have an emergency SAFETY PIN (1849) in my pocket - don't want to get caught with my pants down; how would that look in front of the troops? I arrive at the 47th floor, thanks largely to the ELEVATOR BRAKES (1852) only to find the office is empty! I pick up the TELEPHONE (1876) but there's no one on reception; all I can hear is the dull droning of the AIR CONDITIONING (1911).
Where is everyone? Then it suddenly dawns on me; I'm a moron. It's a national holiday today to celebrate the FIRST FLY BY OF URANUS (1986). Still, at least that gives me the day off. That reminds me, I'm going to that party tonight so I need to pick up my suit from the dry cleaners. It's not any old party and it's not any old suit. All in one PVC (1928) - nice!
So did that convince you? Let me know what YOU love about America.
Conversely the Americans have given us McDonalds, line dancing, Britney Spears, the atomic bomb and worst of all, Catwoman the movie. Maybe the jury is still out, you decide.
Your say - your thoughts and comments:
I enjoy the fact that scientists in our country are able, capable, and actively trying to educate the general populace, and make science easily accessible to the masses.
TPD Podcast, Seattle, WA.
The TV shows (most of which i have recently found out are made in Canada)
Mars (we assume not the planet)
I love the candy! mmm peanut butter...
Laine, Maryland
Only America could have come up with both Intelligent Design, and the cult of The Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Penny, Glasgow, UK.
I love the American Spirit of renewal, new beggining, to stride forward, and to have a second chance.
Bentley, Oklahoma City.
I hate the fact that we export some of our best scientists, Technicians and Engineers to the US.
Mark, UK
I love that we export our utterly bland culture to the entire world, and they think it's fantastic. Wait... that's not something to love... O well.
Alvin
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