So you're saying you want to preserve and embrace that?

I actually do think that there is an American culture. It's just that, relative to any discussion I've ever seen on "multiculturalism" whatever the thing is that we live in the midst of (apparently NOT "culture"), is the enemy that threatens all other cultures (the "multi" in "multicultural") -- thereby excluding us from being a culture. We are the enemy.

And I'm just saying that I don't think that's how it all works.

I can't stand contemporary Christian music. It makes me want to hurl. One of my MAJOR complaints with CCM was that it is (to my ear) patently imitative. ...and in the pursuit of Art, I would like to think of Chirstianity as the impetus for great creativity, NOT imitation.

When I expressed this disdain to a young fan of CCM, he rightly (and very respectfully for such a young whippersnapper) corrected me. It was impropper logic for me to assume that CCM was imitative. It was just as likely (as pointed out by my young friend) that both CCM AND pop music were merely both responding to technological and environmental changes simultaneously. Damn. The kid was right. The kid was right logically.

It's not a we/they. EVERY culture is forced to change by technological and environmental change. Some accept and seem, by that acceptance, to lead. Others don't accept and cloister. Others don't accept yet still demand that everyone else accept their stubborn refusal to accept as somehow superior. And still others don't accept, but don't expect anyone else to accomodate to their whim.