Solid post. Fair enough.
The internet is the greatest invention and world changing. Yes Twitter helped spawn Arab Spring. And Ebay, Apple, Wikipedia, are great. Amazon is convenient, although I fear it is Walmart like and destoying local ma and pa stores. Alinea is awesome. I am a chef, and Grant Achatz is one of my favorites. The American palate has come along way. Chicago has an incredible food scene Tru, Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Charlie Trotters. Football is biggest sport in this country now. Hip Hop is american, as are Punk, Techno, Motown, Disco, Bluegrass. I don't watch TV- but hear great things about all the shows you have mentioned. And Robert Randolph and Trucks are excellent.
So we agree on all the above. But I just don't get Jersey Shore, Jerry Springer or Paris Hilton