Cheyenne Lin (1:13:23) The U.S. is known as ‘the best country in the world’, but where does this notion even come from and why is it so persistent despite the fact that the U.S. seems to be inferior to many countries, specifically other wealthy nations in the imperial core when it comes to walkability, third places, car culture, and public transport? In addition, is the U.S. only inferior to their ‘first world’ equals or to countries in the global south as well? And lastly, how does first world privilege come into play when moving abroad and romanticizing one’s life there? In this video essay I talk about imperial privilege, as well as U.S. privilege and ‘first world’ privilege and how its tied to race and class, as well as the global hierarchy of countries and U.S. imperialism. I also talk about the decline of the U.S., no third spaces, car culture, and the romanticization of your life abroad trend as an American.

TIMESTAMPS Intro: The Best Country in the World? 0:00 Part 1: The Rise of a Superpower and The American Century 09:20 Part 2: U.S. Privilege 34:04 Part 3: The U.S. vs. The Rest of the World 46:07

• no third spaces
• car culture
• schooling
• healthcare
• dress
• food quality and food deserts Part 4: Romanticization of Life Abroad 1:05:42
• romanticizing life abroad
• passport bros Conclusion 1:12:35