Dr. Phil? No, Really, You're Kidding. Dr. Phil?

More proof, if any was needed, of just how ignorant and provincial American pop culture has become: Discovery Channel has published a list of the 100 Greatest Americans that is appalling. I mean, it's not just the same old dumb stuff we should all be used to by now.  It's a horrific indictment of the basic level of cultural awareness of the TV-ravaged, mall-walking masses.

Included on the list of greatest Americans, along with Australian Mel Gibson, are:

Dr. Phil
Ellen DeGeneres
Bret Favre
Clint Eastwood
Michael Moore
Barak Obama
Hillary Clinton
Madonna
Michael Jackson
Tom Cruise
Tom Hanks

Bret Favre?  Barak Obama, who has done nothing but make one speech on TV?

Omited from the list, just to name a few, are:

Lewis and Clark
Ernest Hemingway
Frank Lloyd Wright
Margaret Sanger
David Sarnoff
Douglas MacArthur
W.C. Handy
Ray Kroc
Rachel Carson

The 100 Greatest Americans were chosen based on that most irrelevant of methods, an Internet Poll.

I generally like Americans, and not just because I am one.  But no country can survive that has so little understanding of its own history and cultural wealth.  Maybe I'm just having a bad morning, but this list is frightening. 

Via NewMexiKen, who's a lot calmer about this than I am.

Comments

[Wally]

Most media is self-reflective (as are most of us individuals). You riff on riffs picked up from other blogs. It can't surprise you that a tv channel gives tv celebrity a hefty weight in its weighted equation. Survivor and american idol game show contestants achieve instant fame and worse, credibilty. Huffington's blogblend of hard hitting analysis and celebrity comment is just another example of undeserved credibilty. I act/sing/have a nice body, therefore I think. Putting Descartes before the whores.

[Ivan]

hahahahaha I am still laughing about Dr Phil being on the list. What a legacy.

[zonker]

I cannot believe Paris Hilton wasn't on that list. After all she's done for American culture. Sheeeeesh. There's just no justice in this world, ya know?

;-)