[Mountain_Skies]

Most communities don't aspire to be the "greatest city in the world", especially given the criteria upon which NYC would win such a contest. Most people are more interested in living a peaceful secure life than having the prestige of hosting Wall Street or having the most fusion restaurants per square mile. The best cover ever put out by the New Yorker was on the March 29, 1976 issue that showed just how myopic the city can be in regards to the rest of the world.

[justin66]

> Most communities don't aspire to be the "greatest city in the world"

Undeniably true, but honestly, what's your point? The OP's words were "the best America's got." I think in the context of the conversation we were engaged in, a suggestion as to what is the greatest city we have in general, or the greatest city we have in terms of public health, might both be interesting. I'm surprised by these "who cares about how good a city is, mannnn?" comments.

[alistairSH]

The two largest metro areas in the US have 10% of the total population.

The top ten metro areas have about 25% of the total population.

So, not a majority, but an absolutely massive number of people.

And that myopia goes both ways.