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.