Related goodness:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highbrow

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_culture

I think the US tends to be absurdly homophobic, or at least obsessive about sexuality. Americans are notorious for not liking to acknowledge class differences, though I think this tends to be a lower middle class attitude. The lower classes in America tend to be rabidly intolerant of anything but conventional heterosexuality.

I'd also ascribe it to the whole Purtian/Protestant ethos of America as well as the overall conservative social landscape that is America. As far as mainstream America is concerned, New York, LA and SF are as strange as a Klaus Nomi video.

Conventional Americans are very disturbed about falling from the "norm" or being seen as an "outcast" since it might affect their success or how their (bourgeois) neighbors might perceive them. Unlike in Europe, the upper-classes of America are insanely concerned about appearances. Just look at all that sham Trad posturing on the other fora.

Last edited by Incroyable (2007-03-20 11:54:59)

Yes, that's an interesting point. I've read that the Boston Brahmins--America's aristocracy--were rather tolerant of what we might term as "alternative lifestyles" and certainly didn't really care in the way that today's conservative contingent do. But then, Boston Brahmins are a more liberal bunch.

The Asian demographic has emerged as a very Christian/Protestant group and are rather influential in suburban politics, I suspect. African-Americans have always been rather conservative, except maybe during the Harlem Renaissance--their Baptist churches attest to the whole conservatism.

Interestingly, Roman Catholics are more lenient.

Last edited by Incroyable (2007-03-20 12:34:53)

ol' Waugh.  His comment on the "Man on the Street" is priceless.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/audiointerviews/profilepages/waughe1.shtml