I have always regarded as a stroke of good fortune that I was not born or brought up in a small American town; they may be the backbone of the nation, but they are also the backbone of ignorance, bigotry, and boredom, all in vast quantities.
Interpretation
The author values the diversity of experiences over the limitations often found in small, homogeneous towns.
Gore Vidal's quote reflects his belief that being raised outside of a small American town spared him from the ignorance and narrow-mindedness that can flourish in such insular environments. While he acknowledges that small towns play a critical role in American culture, he critiques their tendency to foster bigotry and a lack of intellectual stimulation, suggesting that a broader worldview is essential for personal growth.
In practice
In a debate about urban versus rural upbringing, one might quote Gore Vidal to emphasize the importance of exposure to diverse perspectives.
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For the record, I don't expect you to believe any of this. Not really. I'm a liar by trade, after all; albeit, I like to think, an honest liar.
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Memoir is not an act of history but an act of memory, which is innately corrupt.
The proclamation of the Gospel remains the primary service that the Church owes to humanity, to offer the salvation of Christ to the man of our time, who is in many ways humiliated and oppressed, and to orientate in a Christian way cultural, social, and ethical transformations that are unfolding in the world.
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