Generally speaking – which is of course always a dangerous thing to do, generally speaking – Americans revere the past only as long as there is some money in it somewhere and it doesn't mean going without air-conditioning, free parking and other essential conveniences.
In "The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America," Bill Bryson observes that Americans have a selective appreciation for their history. This reverence seems to come with the expectation of financial benefit and comfort. People cherish the past as long as it aligns with their modern conveniences and lifestyle choices.
Bryson's statement highlights a broader cultural tendency to embrace history only when it is convenient or profitable. For many, nostalgia is overshadowed by the demands of contemporary life, such as the need for air-conditioning and free parking, which shapes their relationship with the past.
