For many, Super Bowl Sunday is one of the best days of the year.

For those lucky enough to have their favorite team playing in the big game, it is a nervewracking experience but for everyone else, Super Bowl Sunday represents an experience that has become almost unheard of in this day and age: a cultural event that everyone watches together.

In previous decades, before social media and streaming, American cultural events were somewhat common. Whether it was the moon landing or TV events like the MASH or Seinfeld series finales, Americans often would gather together around the tube to experience cultural events that would dominate office discussions the next day.

Those times are gone. Social media and streaming has lead to American culture being largely splintered apart. No longer does everyone watch one of the same dozen TV channels. In 2025, its not uncommon for a large part of the population to never have heard of the most popular movie, musical artist or TV program.

Super Bowl Sunday is the one yearly event that basically everyone watches and they watch for different reasons.

Millions who don’t watch a single minute of football during the regular season will be tuned in to watch their favorite celebrity’s cameo in some $100 million advertisement for potato chips. Others look forward to the halftime show, with its surprise artists, dance choreograpy or other viral moments.

Whether it be shots of Taylor Swift in the crowd, the commercials or the action on the field, the Super Bowl has something for everyone and that is what makes it so special.

Particularly in this time period of deep political and social polarization. The ability to get together with friends and family to watch an event that everyone else is also watching is a special thing.

Taking the opportunity to get together shouldn’t be as rare as it is but that is the world we live in.

This Sunday, put the politics aside and enjoy some deep fried food, a ice cold beer and enjoy yourself.