Kamala Harris will probably win because she has the wow factor

TO a cynic, there are many things to forget about America.

- Dylan Jones

The insincerity, perhaps, or the casual racism. Some might say the thuggish imperialism, or the metropolitan parochialism. Naysayers might also opt for the transactional nature of its relationships, its corporate insecurity, or the desperate way that urbanites can’t rest until they’ve eaten at the best table in the best new restaurant in their zip code.

But what one should never forget is the country’s obsession with fame. After all, they invented fame, and they did it very well. This is one of the many things I love about America, as the meritocratic way in which they measure success is fundamentally empowering.

Fame in America has nothing to do with embarrassing Faustian bargains or liberal guilt, but it has a lot to do with taking great pleasure in being able to buy a bigger house and a bigger car than your neighbour. Fame in America is rightly celebrated, and no matter why, or how, someone becomes famous, they are lauded for it.

Fawned over. Worshipped. Turned into breakfast cereals, TV specials and quite possibly monuments. If America has contributed anything to the world it’s fame; because, let’s face it, they do fame better than anyone else.