h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello,

In the spirit of international harmony and friendship and to prove that h2g2 researchers don't think we all hate America and all Americans, please tell us what you like about the United States of America.

Please, no negative comments allowed .

I'll start off: I like the forward-looking attitude of America. It is an extremely idealistic place and sincerely believes in progress and has an entrepraneurial (sp?) spirit that can be found nowhere else. Americans are both innovative and pragmatic, which results in a society that undergoes furious, constant change. I love the sheer mix of peoples from all over the world. Here in California white people will no longer be in a majority in a few years. The constant immigration into the country gives a rich, diverse culture.

Hollywood produces the vastest amount of tremendously entertaining trash which the world would not be the same without. Two words: "Star Wars".

The cities are huge and you can just about find anything and anyone you want. The country is beautiful and has everything from mountains to canyons, to deserts to permafrost.

I also like they way their football/soccer team won against Portugal

Come on, we can't just moan about a country all day without redressing the balance a bit .

Ste

The genuine pioneer spirit that founded the nation, and the belief in that spirit.
It's long tradition of art, both 'popular' and 'high'-any nation that has room for Moby Dick, Edgar Allen Poe, Chuck Jones and Steven Speilberg can't be all bad.
The fact that the words
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
meant and still mean something.
Gridiron
Rock'n'roll.
Jazz.
The Blues.
And that's just a small part of it.

... all that space ... and there is still wilderness there.

Waz

The American revolution - the first kick up the backside of the decadent European monarchies

Their complete and utter lack of any form of aristocratic title or position

The fact they had a revolution and largely tried to stick to it

Their flag (aw, come on, it does look nice )

The Airships USS Shennandoah, USS Los Angeles and USS Akron

Rock 'n' Roll

The Empire State Building

Mount Rushmore

Their films

The Blues

Coca Cola (forget the global brand stuff - it tastes nice!)

I like my American chat pal Rodney who lives in Georgia.We chat every Sunday and he was the first friend I ever made on the internet.He didn't mind me just talking to him out of the blue when I just picked his name at random on Yahoo.He's been a great source of interesting SF/Fantasy facts(he's good for reviews on upcoming films)and being a librarian he has sent me any number of books these last three years.He's always cheerful,always polite and tremendous fun.He is not always in tune with what his countrymen think(he was appalled at the gunghoness after Sept 11)but I think that most Americans are like him andare ordinary,decent people who are worth getting to know.
Now I know this wasn't quite what was asked but as I've never been to America I can't comment on anything but those people I've talked to and met from America.Pretty much all of them have been decent,articulate and polite.Oh and yes the scenery has to be a good second choice.

Incog.

Yes! Music, ideals, and damn cool buildings.

Their military equipment looks pretty good too. A10 Warthog anyone? .

The way the society is a *lot* less class-based than the UK (and Europe?) is good.

Southern Fried Chicken.

Ste

The electric guitar
Jazz
Blues
Punk rock (or at least a major contribution to said genre)
Commander Keen
Lots of great films
Yosemite and Lassen National Parks

Commander Keen?

The world's greatest computer game.

Is it an old one? Can I download it from anywhere?

Silicon Valley, there's another good thing.

Ste

Yes, it is an old one (late 80s/early 90s) of the platform genre. It's only about 800k, so you can download it easily too. Don't bother with episodes 1-3 or the awful 'Keen Dreams'; just get episodes 4-6 if you can.

http://www.dosgames.com/g_side.php

SiFi movies/TV
The Simpsons
Lots of music (except country)
Some people I know

I like being able to say whatever I want about anyone I want and the worst that will happen is that I might make someone angry. No jail. No torture. That's nice.

Unlike some republics, the bananas are excellent.

'57 Chevys
Gibson guitars
Aerosmith
and a total lack of stuffiness....

Jacko

Thank you all for the wonderful compliments to my country!

May I add to the list:

The land of opportunity - anyone can grow up to be president, senator, congresman, doctor or lawyer. Or computer programmer, satellite dish installer, or high school teacher, if you prefer.

Yes, the scenery - to see the best, stay off the beaten path.

My opinion is just as important as anyone else's - and I can express it any way I like.

Freedom - in spite of 9-11, we still have our freedom intact.

Well done, Loony. I knew you'd manage... and look, there's not a single crack in your character.

I've only been to America once, to Massachusetts, so I have a rather limited view of real Americans, as opposed to the ones in green hats we see wandering around Ireland.

What I like is the enthusiasm. Americans are never scared to tell you about what interests them.

I have been there quite a few times and I always like going there. Most people are genuinely friendly; they have a "can do" attitude; unlike many places in Europe there are not as many vested interests trying to strangle real competition; there are loads of beautiful, unspoilt, open spaces and woodlands; there is something for everyone there - personally my favourite place is Seattle - absolutely wonderful; some of the best science and research in the world comes out of the country; it is continually adapting and changing to new world realities; they are not continually moaning about their own country - something we Europeans could learn from them.