Shared American Interest

There was a time that all Americans shared the same experience.  There were only A.M. radio stations.  People listened to the same music,  same news,  same dramas and comedies.  Then there were three major television networks and everyone watched the same news events,  same situation comedies and dramas and there were ratings to tell us how many people watched the M.A.S.H or Cheers finales.

Once we expanded to a world full of newspapers, A.M/F.M. radio stations,  broadcast/cable television and internet news/radio/television stations, there is no common source or unity of viewing or watching.

There are only moments of shared experiences.  The Oscars, All-Star Game, The World Series, and yes,  the Superbowl seem to be all that is left of the shared American Experience.   These are the few fleeting moments that people talk about the same thing- offer facts, opinions, and jokes.

The Superbowl provides Americans an opportunity to cheer and to see people win. The Superbowl provides victory over obstacles, emotional dramas over a year of defeat, loss, illness, and injury. 

What else do we Americans have that invoke discussion,  not the State of the Union, not a space launch, or the Publishers Clearing House winner, or Kentucky Derby.  If it not for the Superbowl and the pre-game show, Half Time show, or its' commercials, there wouldn't be much to discuss.

Despite, which team wins or scores, every American has a point of view about it. Where is there a common town square, or water cooler anymore?

We don't even share the same social media sites?  It would be difficult to create another War of the World scare again- there is a lot of noise but not the same frequency.