Diverse Perspectives on American Identity
The episode compiles answers from a wide range of New York Times staff, including culture editors, critics, and reporters, each identifying a distinct element of their beat as quintessentially American.
1The Daily
The Most American Episode of The Daily, Ever
In celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday, New York Times editors and critics share their picks for the most American thing on their beat.
The episode features New York Times staff members identifying what they consider the most American aspect of their respective fields, ranging from culture and sports to technology and food.
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The Most American Episode of The Daily, Ever.
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Arts and Culture Representations
Contributors highlight various cultural touchstones, such as Aaron Copland’s “Rodeo,” the movie “Get Out,” and August Wilson’s “The Century Cycle,” as examples of American artistic expression.
4617Everyday Life and Consumer Culture
The discussion includes everyday American phenomena like workout gear, Amazon Prime, M&M’s, and productivity culture, reflecting the nation's consumer habits and lifestyle.
571015Sports and Entertainment
American sports and entertainment are represented through mentions of U.S. hockey, the roller coaster The Beast, the TV show “Survivor,” and video games like Grand Theft Auto.
891119Literature and Historical Reflection
Literary and historical works, such as “Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World” and “The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois,” are cited as key to understanding the American experience.
1216Science and Innovation
The episode also touches on American innovation and scientific achievement, with mentions of liquid rocket fuel and internet culture phenomena like Bama Rush.
1314Ask GenPod next
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“How do the selected cultural artifacts reflect broader American values?”
“What common themes emerge across the different beats?”
“How might the definition of 'American' change in the coming decades?”
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Experts
Voices named in the source.
Joshua Barone
culture editor
4Vanessa Friedman
chief fashion critic
5Erik Piepenburg
culture writer
6Kevin Roose
technology columnist
7Mekado Murphy
culture editor
8James Poniewozik
chief television critic
9Jancee Dunn
wellness writer
10Elena Bergeron
culture editor
11Jennifer Szalai
nonfiction book critic at the Book Review
12Bill Wasik
science editor
13Madison Malone Kircher
internet culture reporter
14Kim Severson
food reporter
15MJ Franklin
editor at the Book Review
16Helen Shaw
chief theater critic
17Alissa Wilkinson
film critic
18Zachary Small
culture reporter
19Elisabeth Vincentelli
culture reporter
20Jason Zinoman
critic at large
21Jason Farago
critic at large
22A.O. Scott
critic at large
23Sources and disclosure
Where this guide comes from.
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- Publisher show notes
In celebration of the United States of America’s 250th birthday, we posed a simple question to some of our favorite critics, columnists and editors across the New York Times newsroom, people who write about books, movies, TV shows, science, sports, wellness and food. We asked: What’s the most American thing on your beat?
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On today’s episode, we present their answers. Happy Birthday, America!
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On Today’s Episode
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Joshua Barone, culture editor, on “Rodeo,” composed by Aaron Copland
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Vanessa Friedman, chief fashion critic, on workout gear
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Erik Piepenburg, culture writer, on the movie “Get Out”
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Kevin Roose, technology columnist, on Amazon Prime
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Mekado Murphy, culture editor, on the roller coaster The Beast
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James Poniewozik, chief television critic, on “Survivor”
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Jancee Dunn, wellness writer, on productivity and sleep
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Elena Bergeron, culture editor, on U.S. hockey
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Jennifer Szalai, nonfiction book critic at the Book Review, on “Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World” by Henry Grabar
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Bill Wasik, science editor, on liquid rocket fuel
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Madison Malone Kircher, internet culture reporter, on Bama Rush
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Kim Severson, food reporter, on M&M’s
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MJ Franklin, editor at the Book Review, on “The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois” by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
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Helen Shaw, chief theater critic, on “The Century Cycle” by August Wilson
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Alissa Wilkinson, film critic, on the movie “There Will Be Blood”
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Zachary Small, culture reporter, on Grand Theft Auto
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Elisabeth Vincentelli, culture reporter, on demolition derbies
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Jason Zinoman, critic at large, on the song “Political Science” by Randy Newman
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Jason Farago, critic at large, on the Statue of Liberty
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A.O. Scott, critic at large, on “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” by Walt Whitman (featuring a reading by Jeffrey Wright)
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Gia Kourlas, dance critic, on “Stars and Stripes” by George Balanchine and “Appalachian Spring” by Martha Graham
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Jon Caramanica, pop music critic, on “Trump Trump Baby” by Forgiato Blow
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Photo credit: The New York Times
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