The Daily Asks 24 Journalists to Name America’s Most American Thing
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 5
The Daily Asks 24 Journalists to Name America’s Most American Thing
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 5
Summary
About two dozen New York Times journalists used a special July 5 episode of “The Daily” to answer one prompt: the most American thing on their beats.
Their picks ranged from canonical cultural touchstones like Aaron Copland, Walt Whitman and U.S. Olympic hockey gold to more jarring choices such as Bama Rush, liquid rocket fuel and demolition derbies.
Jon Caramanica rejected easier pop picks and chose “Trump Trump Baby,” saying the song reflects a version of America defined as much by what people avert their eyes from as what they celebrate.
Other selections stretched across everyday life and consumer culture, including horror movies, workout clothes, Grand Theft Auto, an Ohio roller coaster and Amazon Prime’s promise of fast, cheap, constant delivery.