Thursday, May 13, 2004

Exceptionalism

I've frequently said there are three kinds of cities (or colleges or countries or sports teams or insert any similar entity here).

People who live in 1st class cities never feel the need to tell everyone how great their city is. It speaks for itself. Think New York, Paris.

People who live in 2nd class cities feel the need to proclaim their greatness, and to convince you that they really are 1st class cities.

People who live in 3rd class cities just accept their lot and get on with their lives.

What's with the 2nd class attitude all of a sudden?

(oddly, Philadelphia is a 2nd class city with a 3rd class attitude).