California is symbolic of its title as "the Golden State". Ironically, it is not the state that yields the most gold in terms of precious metal production. What California does represent is golden sunlight, natural treasures from the snowy mountains to endless coastline, and a breadth of cultural diversity representing the best that the United States has to offer. Being a Californian means representing these ideals and living life to the fullest potentials of the "American Dream", and carrying a flair for style while living it.
It is difficult to define California under the same lens as other states because of its size and range of lifestyles that call the state home. Some social scientists have called this the "California image" (May, 2002). Kirse May has recorded some of the most popular notions of California's image that began to develop in the 1950's. These themes are gangs, drugs, reform schools, drag races, and surfing (May, 2002). These themes are exaggerated during this period by films like Beach Party and similar youth culture celebrations depicted in popular media. During this time California media dominated the country including these American International Pictures productions. This is how the image of California spread internationally and shaped perceptions of what it was like to grow up in California.
[...] Freeway traffic and crowded city areas also are synonymous with California. Commuting times in the Bay Area and Southern California can range from 20 minutes to hours depending on roadway conditions and traffic (Avila, 2004). Conditions can become stagnant during rush hour and force drivers to develop routines of making the best of their time spent in gridlock launching a market for portable music interfaces, audio books, and hands-free devices for cell phones. Being a Californian means something in addition to being an American. [...]
[...] The image and icon of California California is symbolic of its title as “the Golden State”. Ironically, it is not the state that yields the most gold in terms of precious metal production. What California does represent is golden sunlight, natural treasures from the snowy mountains to endless coastline, and a breadth of cultural diversity representing the best that the United States has to offer. Being a Californian means representing these ideals and living life to the fullest potentials of the "American Dream", and carrying a flair for style while living it. [...]
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