1. Are there nowadays new national heroes in the USA? (like Washington,
   Babe Ruth, Gehrig)

2. I understand reasonably well the popularity of soap operas in radio in
   the 30's and the 40's, even the 50's (the Depression, the war). But
   what is the reason for their popularity in TV today (provided that soap
   operas are popular in the US)?

3. What kind of books are the most popular fiction in the US?

4. Is the publishing branch (newspapers, magazines, books) regulated in
   any way?

5. How expensive it is to use e.g Internet in the US? Are the phone rates
   much lower in the US than in Finland?

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- What foods (besides the obvious 'mämmi') in Finland would Americans be
  at least suspicious about eating ?

- What finnish customs or habits would likely be odd for Americans ?
 
- What should one avoid doing or saying if (and when) one does not want to
  offend or cause awkward moments when meeting previously unknown
  Americans ? (i.e. Americans that one does not know personally and who
  are not familiar with our culture)

- How culture aware (in your opinion or experience) is the 'average
  American'? How easily would they regognize features of different
  cultures?

- What is the 'status' of the Tonight Show ? Is it very popular ? Do you
  think that some of the jokes in the show might really offend American
  people ? How different (in your opinion or experience) is the sense of
  humour here in Finland from that of the people in the States ?

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1. Films in the context of popular culture?
   Film stereotypes and characterizations?

2. Status symbols? What are considered as ones in the U.S.?

3. What is the difference between "cultural icons" and "cultural
   fetishes"?

4. What does "customability" mean?

5. Babe Ruth? Rod Mckuen? 

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1.  The president of the U.S. (as a concept) is clearly a "popular
    object". Bill Clinton, for example, was extremely popular when he was
    elected; once in office, however, he has got little support for the
    ideas he professes. Do you think that many U.S. presidents (like JFK)
    have turned into some sort of fetishes?
     
2.  The American Dream allows you (among other things) to starve to death,
    or lose your life to a curable disease. Clinton's Healthcare plan has
    given rise to much controversy: is the idea of the welfare state seen
    as anti-American, or is it just totally incompatible with the
    mythologies of self-reliance?
     
3.  In movies with long car chases you see dozens of police cars wreck
    spectacularly. I wonder if there is a popular belief concerning police
    officers behind this. Is individualism more popular than abiding the
    law?
     
4.  The automobile is a very popular artifact in the USA and there are
    more and more Japanese cars on the automobile market. Are they just
    cheaper products or are they "popular" in a way similar to cars of
    American make?

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1.  Is the Turner 'Frontier thesis' still regarded as valid in the U.S.
    today?  Or has it become part of the mythology?

2.  I understand that the Republican Party has frequently 'threatened' to
    make praying at school obligatory.  Can they do that, and what is the
    history of that subject?

3.  In recent years the ownership of many corporations in American has
    "slipped" to non-Americans.  Is it popular for American governments to
    wage trade wars to protect the interests of these corporations
    worldwide?

4.  According to tv shows, the American criminal justice system is
    inefficient, unjust and, all in all, not much more than a joke, and
    the only people who think it works are the people who created it.  Can
    this be the sentiment of the whole American public?

5.  Each society has its values and beliefs.  Many Americans feel that
    competition is the natural state for human beings.  Are there any
    major, common, scientific theories about this -- that people for
    example refer to in conversation to back up the sentiment?

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1.  Has the American legal system become a part of popular culture to be
    compared with soap operas (this comes to mine when thinking of OJ)?
    Or has it always been part of the popular culture?

2.  We talked about religion last week.  How much influence do those
    so-called "tv ministers" have nowadays?  There have been so many
    scandals surrounding them.

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1.  Do people in general know what popular culture is?

2.  Does U.S. popular culture influence politics?

3.  Do popular values and beliefs change rapidly?

4.  How does the ideal of individualism fit into the frame of popular
    culture?

5.  How strongly are Americans influenced by national popular culture?

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1.  Where do the prototypes of the 'basic Americans' originate from (Ken &
    Barbie; white teeth & big smile, etc)?

2.  Do people know and watch the following tv series in the U.S. as widely
    as people do here in Finland?  (eg. Beverly Hills 92022, Columbo,
    Cosby Show, Matlock, Murphy Brown, Northern Exposure).

3.  Is it just fiction (on tv) that there are quite a number of blacks as
    lawyers and higher police officers, etc., in the U.S.?

4.  Are there any newspapers and magazines 'all' Americans know & read?
    Or do people prefer only local newspapers?

5.  Why are all the traffic signs 'written' instead of using 'pictures'
    (as in Europe) even though so many people speak a language other than
    English at home and might not be able to read English properly?

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1.  What are the values of Americans today?  Are there any sacred values?
    I am interested in hedonism, which was well pictured in Quentin
    Tarantino's film "Pulp Fiction".

2.  How does religion work as entertainment in the U.S., as a part of
    popular culture?   For example TV preachers like Billy Graham, gospel
    shows, people searching for a 'guru' (Forrest Gump & the runner),
    Indian influences and Indian gurus/yogis, religious minorities which
    expect Jesus to come next November, etc.

3.  Is everything in America based on entertainment, for example political
    advertising and campaigns, handsome millionaires getting to Congress?

4.  What seems to be the future of U.S. popular culture as a globally
    dominating culture?  Is its effect growing or diminishing?

5.  What is the image of America today as a melting pot, considering
    tolerance, racism and ethnicity?

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1.  What is the general attitude toward popular culture, specifically the
    popular arts vs 'high culture'?

2.  What is the attitude of academia toward popular culture & research?

3.  What is the attitude of Americans towards the Americanization of the
    world & spread of American popular culture all over the world?

4.  Automobiles:  is there sexual equality or differences?  How much,
    where & when do women drive?  Is it acceptable for women to drive?
    Are there cars designed & customized for women?  Are there differences
    between racial groups or age groups in attitudes toward women driving?

5.  Sex equality in business & working life:  is it generally acceptable
    for women to work?  Are there differences related to race or age or
    religion?  What is the status of & respect for women in business life?