One of the best ways to define British culture is the way we love to get together behind a shared cause. The country is at its best when we’re all rooting for England in the World Cup or cheering on our Eurovision contender.
Everyone’s experienced this phenomenon, but how do you explain it? A lot of it is thanks to the country’s long history of national broadcasts that have evolved over the years, from BBC radio to the golden age of Saturday-night television.
A Nation That Thrives on Shared Emotion
The UK is one of the most diverse places on Earth, packed full of people from different backgrounds and cultures. Still, though, there’s a shared feeling of Britishness that defines the nation, and this is cemented by the vast variety of shared moments that people can enjoy as a massive group.
There are various events in the UK that have millions tuning in all at the same time, and this can create a sense of national togetherness. There’s a lot of variety between the types of events on offer as well. From royal weddings to sporting events, the content doesn’t matter so much as the widespread emotion that it evokes. Thanks to the greater connectivity that the internet has brought about, these shared moments are becoming more frequent online.
From BGT to the World Cup – We Love Getting Behind Something Together
When the UK can unite behind a shared goal, it elevates the sense of national pride that simmers in the hearts of every Brit. Major football tournaments are a prime example of when this occurs, with every goal and win filling people with a greater belief. When the Three Lions made it to the finals of the last two European Championships, the buzz around the country was palpable. And when the Lionesses won the Euros for a second time, even non-football fans were riding on the waves of that euphoria.
It’s not just huge events like footballing tournaments that give people in the country something to support together and chinwag about, though. There are plenty of other televised events that have people uniting to cheer something else on. This can be anything from a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent to a finalist on The Great British Bake Off. Seeing someone impress and make it far in a competition is something we all love.
When Online Wins Become Modern National Moments
The internet has opened up opportunities for even more of these shared moments, as there are now various ways that people can capture public attention. Back before the online world swept the UK, we used to love celebrating lottery winners who would often make it in the national papers.
Now, these people are still reported on, but they’re often joined by winners of progressive slots as well. Games like Age of the Gods have been known to pay out millions to lucky winners with lottery-style randomness. Winners have made it into the papers, where they’ve talked about their plans to spend their winnings.
Big, shared moments are clearly a defining part of the cultural DNA in the UK, and a major reason why shows like BGT are so popular. This is something we need to preserve, as most would agree that we’re at our best when we’re unified.
This is a submitted article written by Ben Spencer.
