As a younger person in a less than ideal geographic area of the United States, I do not have much exposure to what I consider real American culture. I read about certain things that I like and whatnot, but cannot put together what it really means socially to be an American in the classic way that it was like perhaps in the 1950's. I'd like to read classic American books and watch all the "must see" classic pre-commification movies.
Does anyone have any recommendations for perhaps a list of books and movies or some insight on what it's like culturally in places that are more "real America"?
Eventually I think my goal is to move to one of these places and start a new life. Are there really towns and cities where most people are friendly and all love America? Most of the people where I live who want to live a decent social life move to NYC and well we all know what that's about but what about something like Nashville or Oklahoma City? I know rural areas are good but are they good for younger people who didn't grow up there?
You wanna know what American culture is, and has been for hundreds of years? Go work as a farmhand in the MS Delta.
You'll learn what real work, real family, and real religion is in a single planting season.
Little house on The Prarie.
We actually binge watched it during lockdown, but read the original books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
I watched this growing up but never heard of Highway to Heaven, currently watching it now.
I'll check it out thank you
You couldn’t go wrong with older authors like Mark Twain, or even some biographies of our Founding Fathers. Ben Franklin wrote an autobiography that’s great. There are some good non-fiction books out there as well.
But in general, there is no “one” American culture. The experience of somebody in 1600s Massachusetts is wildly different from antebellum Louisiana or 1800s Colorado. German immigrants in Texas created a different world from those in Pennsylvania. Early settlers in my home state of Arizona had a very different relationship with local Indian tribes than the early settlers in Ohio. Lots of different stories, all rubbing against each other.
That’s not to say there isn’t anything that holds us together. There’s plenty. But there are so many different aspects of the country to explore, it’s really more about what you want to learn about and where you want to be.
Jazz. Go look at Louis Armstrong's life, and what he created.
The Rifleman is a pretty good showcase of real American values, it's free on Pluto if you don't mind commercials. And for what it's worth, the old Addams Family TV show has absolutely 100% the best portrayal of a marriage I've ever seen on TV (also free on Pluto). Every other couple I've ever seen portrayed on TV is just... wrong. Nowadays they show the husbands to be complete doormats. Edit: for art, look at Hudson River School, and for music, check out 18th Century American Overture and 18th Century Hunting music: https://www.discogs.com/Hewitt-Carr-Reinagle-Sinfonia-Finlandia-Jyv%C3%A4skyl%C3%A4-Patrick-Gallois-The-18th-Century-American-Overtu/release/2818206 https://www.discogs.com/Collegium-Musicum-Of-Prague-18th-Century-Hunting-Music/release/2168723
Another edit: if someone were to ask me what it means to be an American, I would say: Americans value their time because here in America, time equals money. We like people to not be late for things. And we see everyone as equals. We don't bow to others in greeting and we don't give people special treatment , in general you are no better than anyone else, and it's in bad taste to talk about how much money you have. And we value our freedom... To be an American means to give up guaranteed comfort for the freedom to do whatever you want with your life. You can come here owning NOTHING and do great things with your life as you choose, if you really want it. People come here for a reason.
I love the Rifleman I used to watch that every saturday morning on AMC. Thanks for the suggestions.
This music is awesome
I don't have much to offer except advice given to me by my grandfather who was a WWII veteran that went on to become a business owner before dying a while back:
"Nothing in life is free."
That simple phrase comes back to guide my decisions often.
Also according to him social security is socialism and many hated giving up their money when it was created. Today it's referred to as a "social program" but I think our views have shifted through generations. If you want to emulate American culture at what I consider its' finest consider embracing independence and hard work in all aspects of your life. Safety nets drag us all down (imo).
Knoxville or Tulsa. Nashville is cucked. Tulsa is closer to “hometown” (as per a friend who moved there) than OKC.
Here are some things to read, it is not your usual list... Poor No More by Robert Roark is excellent. “The Past Through Tomorrow” Robert A. Heinlein. Actually, the complete works of Robert A Heinlein. *The Grass Is Greener Over The Septic Tank” Erma Bombeck
Thanks
The list suggested, https://americanliterature.com/twenty-five-great-american-novels , I would add Steinbeck. These all seem to build the foundation of the culture of the USA. In school in the 70's they started with Black Like Me and the counter culture trend. Have a good read which ever books you decide to read, If you would like a free used copy of Profiles in Courage by JFK, PM me and I'll send you a copy.
I read Of Mice and Men in high school, I liked it. I'll check out more from him. Also thank you that's a very nice offer
Your welcome. I have my genius wife thinking about good books that cover that area. Problem is is that it was post war and most books were coving the war history.
I'm a Great Plains resident. I won't say which state. It's ok. It's just like anywhere else. You have your good folk and bad. The biggest problem for young people out here is that many of them don't have useful and employable skills.
What has happened is that as people become successful in the big states they move out here and displace family farms with housing developments which only go up in price to the natural born residents.
So people like hedge fund managers, defense contracting agents, and stuff end up in nice $250,000+ homes while the natural born citizens end up losing farms and forced to live in what are basically giant, increasingly dilapidating suburbs that were designed during and after the war to house factory workers.
My family went from owning a farm to living in cities and suburbs over the course of 90 years. I can't tell you how many more California license plates I see. It pisses me off when I see them.
The biggest cities out here are basically a long interconnected set of suburban developments. I basically call my city "the world's largest suburb".
I also call my city "the world's biggest truck stop.". One of the benefits is that there is a wide variety of jobs that do come in in waves. I've done everything from cleaning restaurant vents to selling vacuums.
Even with these jobs it's difficult to make a living as a youg person because these don't pay as well as a defense contractor or whatever. Most young people end up in fast food jobs, construction, landscaping or logistics jobs. You'll most likely never get a promotion. You'll be hard labour until you're ready to die of cancer at 58.
You probably won't be able to make your own company. Even before the Covid thing I've personally seen 3 business go under in a decade.
The lakes are nice, and the camping is good though.
That’s how it is where I live too like a string of suburbs
I’m not sure what your asking. How old are you? Where do you live now? Single? Career or job? What kind of culture do you wish you lived in?
I do have a career and am single a few years out of college on the east coast (suburban). I don't know what other cultures are like in the US but everyone here my age just cares about kneeling sports and degeneracy and video games. Peoples' aspirations are just like get money so you can buy an expensive car and go to expensive clubs that play stupid music (which you can't even really do if you wanted to now, nor can you travel and return to work the next monday due to china virus tyranny).
I guess it's a two tier question: where can I find a list of classic american novels and films that are not communist.
And what are some good places to look into visiting where people are patriotic and not infiltrated by rap music and also open enough that someone from another place could make friends.
This seems to be a pretty good list:
https://americanliterature.com/twenty-five-great-american-novels
(I’d skip The Jungle, though. Turns into a commie screed halfway through. And I might add things like Gone with the Wind and Last of the Mohicans, or authors like Edgar Allen Poe)
In general, outside the big cities, the South is patriotic, as is the Southwest. People are super friendly in Texas, but we’ve got our fair share of cucks here. I’d recommend coming out to the Houston Rodeo or Fort Worth Stock Show, but I think both have been really curtailed this year.
Still. There’s nothing like the opening of the Houston Rodeo every night, with a beautiful woman in Western gear, galloping her horse around the arena at full speed with an American flag steaming behind her, to get you thinking, America fuck yeah
Wait they have a rodeo every night? That's awesome!
Well the Rodeo is like three weeks long (think the biggest state fair you’ve ever seen), and every night they have part of the professional rodeo competition, followed by a concert. The rodeo is a ton of fun. All the artists perform pro Bono and the money goes to college scholarships. And there’s always a little competition called “mutton busting,” where little kids race sheep to see who can stay on the longest.
It’s fucking awesome. It’s usually in March but they moved it to May this year.
Let’s start with the last question. Most of the west coast big cities are really cold to new people. I’ve heard that from a lot of tech friends that are younger. The club scene sucks no matter where you are so let’s move away from that. It helps to have a hobby that attracts patriotic people. Shooting league competitions. Any Motorsports. As much as I love hiking...hiking attracts a lot of leftists. Both coasts tend to be leftist. Idaho, except Boise is great as is Wyoming. Both puts you in outdoors hobbies too. Utah is beautiful but again the Mormans are very cold if you’re not one of them. The main thing is stay away from the clubs. Find a wholesome family friendly hobby I both shoot competitively and race motorcycles. Both are great for families and attract really nice people. With families come single women.
I’ve been involved in both of those things before but yea it’s very limited where I live. But i could look into places where they are popular and the terrain is suitable. Used to shoot Hi power with a bunch of old farts, they were nice though
Thanks!
This is also good to watch to make oneself aware how you might differ from others which are heavy influenced by Critical Theory aka Frankfurt School aka Cutural Marxism. Also ... spread your knowledge to everyone whos open to it.
Thanks
USA #1 remember that
Essays and books by our founding fathers
For movies watch this: https://www.bitchute.com/video/2GMd98P9kEDm/