Penny -

Actually, I may have a skewed point of view - or maybe a well-distorted one, knowing the original and parody about washing socks - even on this side of the pond. Part of the point in my rant was that the "mass culture" contains references and understandings about the society which developed the culture. If I had more time than I do at the moment, I'd invoke the comment I heard on BBC world service last night (0300 GMT) about a recommendation to, essentially, educate immigrants (to the UK) about the society they were moving to and help them feel to be part of, not a part from, that society. What I have seen first hand is people wanting the benefits of the culture/society, without adopting the society of their own. Thus, they are neither fish nor fowl. And invariably, it is their children that bear the brunt of their decision.

Now, back to work for me...

Pete