It's beginning to become common knowledge to me that the rest of the world has views towards the U.S as almost a frankenstein of a country. To our lack of use of the metric system, our lack of involvement in soccer(football, if you insist),and the general populace appearing to be complete morons.
I live in the United States(born in Barbados, left when I was two),and yes, it is becoming increasingly visible that we aren't even close to the greatest country in pretty much all aspects. I'm asking people out of the U.S. and in, what are your thoughts on the country of the eagle?
It's beginning to become common knowledge to me that the rest of the world has views towards the U.S as almost a frankenstein of a country. To our lack of use of the metric system, our lack of involvement in soccer(football, if you insist),and the general populace appearing to be complete morons.
I live in the United States(born in Barbados, left when I was two),and yes, it is becoming increasingly visible that we aren't even close to the greatest country in pretty much all aspects. I'm asking people out of the U.S. and in, what are your thoughts on the country of the eagle?
At least you picked a measurement system and use it for everything.
At least you picked a measurement system and use it for everything.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMqcLUqYqrs[/youtube]
America was founded to be separate from Europe. The populace in the late 1700's-early 1900's wanted nothing to do with the constant fighting, and bullshit that was part of Europe.
Sure, America had outside dealings with foreign nations, and got involved in some of the larger issues at the time, but the US has largely been isolationist for much of it's life.
It wasn't until after WWII that the US stopped being isolationist and started becoming the nation that it is today. Mostly because it was the only superpower in the world other than Russia, and it was the only country that could oppose Russia's expansion of communism (which at the time was something the majority of European governments wanted the US to do).
Because of this, America has a lot of habits that were formed during it's isolationist period that still hold true today.
As for the opinions of the rest of the world and "why isn't America more like everyone else": fuck 'em. What we have works for us. We may not be in the best shape, but neither are any of the other countries out there.
HereThereBeTygers
This to me is just a bunch of blathering with no substance.
America was founded to be separate from Europe. The populace in the late 1700's-early 1900's wanted nothing to do with the constant fighting, and bullshit that was part of Europe.
Sure, America had outside dealings with foreign nations, and got involved in some of the larger issues at the time, but the US has largely been isolationist for much of it's life.
It wasn't until after WWII that the US stopped being isolationist and started becoming the nation that it is today. Mostly because it was the only superpower in the world other than Russia, and it was the only country that could oppose Russia's expansion of communism (which at the time was something the majority of European governments wanted the US to do).
Because of this, America has a lot of habits that were formed during it's isolationist period that still hold true today.
As for the opinions of the rest of the world and "why isn't America more like everyone else": fuck 'em. What we have works for us. We may not be in the best shape, but neither are any of the other countries out there.
[quote=HereThereBeTygers][/quote]
This to me is just a bunch of blathering with no substance.
Not_MatlockAmerica was founded to be separate from Europe. The populace in the late 1700's-early 1900's wanted nothing to do with the constant fighting, and bullshit that was part of Europe.
Sure, America had outside dealings with foreign nations, and got involved in some of the larger issues at the time, but the US has largely been isolationist for much of it's life.
It wasn't until after WWII that the US stopped being isolationist and started becoming the nation that it is today. Mostly because it was the only superpower in the world other than Russia, and it was the only country that could oppose Russia's expansion of communism (which at the time was something the majority of European governments wanted the US to do).
Because of this, America has a lot of habits that were formed during it's isolationist period that still hold true today.
As for the opinions of the rest of the world and "why isn't America more like everyone else": fuck 'em. What we have works for us. We may not be in the best shape, but neither are any of the other countries out there.
china masterrace
[quote=Not_Matlock]America was founded to be separate from Europe. The populace in the late 1700's-early 1900's wanted nothing to do with the constant fighting, and bullshit that was part of Europe.
Sure, America had outside dealings with foreign nations, and got involved in some of the larger issues at the time, but the US has largely been isolationist for much of it's life.
It wasn't until after WWII that the US stopped being isolationist and started becoming the nation that it is today. Mostly because it was the only superpower in the world other than Russia, and it was the only country that could oppose Russia's expansion of communism (which at the time was something the majority of European governments wanted the US to do).
Because of this, America has a lot of habits that were formed during it's isolationist period that still hold true today.
As for the opinions of the rest of the world and "why isn't America more like everyone else": fuck 'em. What we have works for us. We may not be in the best shape, but neither are any of the other countries out there.[/quote] china masterrace
Too conservative. Too proud.
Too conservative. Too proud.
america seems scary and is going downhill pretty fast
america seems scary and is going downhill pretty fast
i have way too much personal shit in the form of college shit to want to spend time worrying about the state of the nation, i mean i barely kept up with congress shitting itself violently until my roommate talked about it one day
my opinions boil down to this youtube comment:
"Everything's fucked up, but protect your loli's smile no matter what"
i have way too much personal shit in the form of college shit to want to spend time worrying about the state of the nation, i mean i barely kept up with congress shitting itself violently until my roommate talked about it one day
my opinions boil down to this youtube comment:
"Everything's fucked up, but protect your loli's smile no matter what"
Lived in four different countries. Poland, UK, Korea, now US. America as a land is pretty sweet. American government sucks. American people sucks.
Still better than Poland.
Lived in four different countries. Poland, UK, Korea, now US. America as a land is pretty sweet. American government sucks. American people sucks.
Still better than Poland.
i have way too much personal shit in the form of college shit to want to spend time worrying about the state of the nation, i mean i barely kept up with congress shitting itself violently until my roommate talked about it one day
Curious, you don't see that as a problem?
[quote]i have way too much personal shit in the form of college shit to want to spend time worrying about the state of the nation, i mean i barely kept up with congress shitting itself violently until my roommate talked about it one day[/quote]
Curious, you don't see that as a problem?
I'll just leave this here.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsAhE1nJpcw[/youtube]
god bles ameriga :DDDDDDD
[img]http://i.imgur.com/aYynlp0.gif[/img]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXZiFpqqnyI[/youtube]
Real talk?
The issues it faces aren't something easily fixed beyond a better education, at least socially. Which suffers with a poor economy.
Economically, we suffer from a service-side economy, which gives diminishing returns indefinitely. Which is indicative of a struggle to get by in the global market due to curious geo-political placement.
Our political issues, both globally and nationally are due to a dissonance of our "role" globally. Which is due to our historic involvement in wars.
I don't mind being an American, it's p cool. But you have to know your history and politics to be proud of it. Like every nation, we have a marred record, and a fair share of internal struggles that we should confront head-on. At our core, we're a great place to live in, comparatively, and anybody that denies that isn't really looking at all of the possible places to be born in, or the statistical likelihood of being born in other places.
Real talk?
The issues it faces aren't something easily fixed beyond a better education, at least socially. Which suffers with a poor economy.
Economically, we suffer from a service-side economy, which gives diminishing returns indefinitely. Which is indicative of a struggle to get by in the global market due to curious geo-political placement.
Our political issues, both globally and nationally are due to a dissonance of our "role" globally. Which is due to our historic involvement in wars.
I don't mind being an American, it's p cool. But you have to know your history and politics to be proud of it. Like every nation, we have a marred record, and a fair share of internal struggles that we should confront head-on. At our core, we're a great place to live in, comparatively, and anybody that denies that isn't really looking at all of the possible places to be born in, or the statistical likelihood of being born in other places.
Lack of involvement in soccer? The US is one of 9 countries to have already qualified for the World Cup. Their national team is ranked 13th in the world and decidedly on the rise.
USA has a lot of things going for it. The biggest economy, high quality of life, best military, excellent higher education, acceptance of people of all races, religions, and sexualities (this is a big issue even in many European countries) etc. Of course it has its problems, namely the health care system. But there's a reason it has by far the highest number of immigrants.
People from all over the world want to move to the States because they know they'll have a better life there, not to mention it truly is the land of opportunity. If there was a list of "greatest" countries, the US would definitely be near or at the top. Being the only superpower does mean something.
But yeah, still using the imperial system is a joke.
Lack of involvement in soccer? The US is one of 9 countries to have already qualified for the World Cup. Their national team is ranked 13th in the world and decidedly on the rise.
USA has a lot of things going for it. The biggest economy, high quality of life, best military, excellent higher education, acceptance of people of all races, religions, and sexualities (this is a big issue even in many European countries) etc. Of course it has its problems, namely the health care system. But there's a reason it has by far the highest number of immigrants.
People from all over the world want to move to the States because they know they'll have a better life there, not to mention it truly is the land of opportunity. If there [i]was[/i] a list of "greatest" countries, the US would definitely be near or at the top. Being the only superpower does mean something.
But yeah, still using the imperial system is a joke.
Too arrogant and never satisfied. We constantly bitch about whoever is our president, how the opposing political party is fucking retarded, how anyone that doesn't believe your own religion is fucking retarded, our job, how things just don't work out for us, how we just don't make enough money, and if we had it our own way, America would be perfect.
I'm not saying that you need to admire things that you don't prefer or follow, but you don't need to be melodramatic and go on a tirade about your so-called shitty life.
Too arrogant and never satisfied. We constantly bitch about whoever is our president, how the opposing political party is fucking retarded, how anyone that doesn't believe your own religion is fucking retarded, our job, how things just don't work out for us, how we just don't make enough money, and if we had it our own way, America would be perfect.
I'm not saying that you need to admire things that you don't prefer or follow, but you don't need to be melodramatic and go on a tirade about your so-called shitty life.
Possimpiblei have way too much personal shit in the form of college shit to want to spend time worrying about the state of the nation, i mean i barely kept up with congress shitting itself violently until my roommate talked about it one day
Curious, you don't see that as a problem?
why would i
i value my education over a complete knowledge of current events
[quote=Possimpible][quote]i have way too much personal shit in the form of college shit to want to spend time worrying about the state of the nation, i mean i barely kept up with congress shitting itself violently until my roommate talked about it one day[/quote]
Curious, you don't see that as a problem?[/quote]
why would i
i value my education over a complete knowledge of current events
moweUSA has a lot of things going for it. The biggest economy, high quality of life, best military, excellent higher education, acceptance of people of all races, religions, and sexualities (this is a big issue even in many European countries) etc. Of course it has its problems, namely the health care system.
i feel a lot of this is wrong
-shitty economy
-rapidly declining quality of life
-having a bloated military doesnt actually help
-higher education is WAY too expensive for most people in the u.s.
-alternate sexualities not accepted in the u.s. as well overall as in many other south american and european countries
-you're right about the healthcare, it's inferior to many other more developed countries
[quote=mowe]USA has a lot of things going for it. The biggest economy, high quality of life, best military, excellent higher education, acceptance of people of all races, religions, and sexualities (this is a big issue even in many European countries) etc. Of course it has its problems, namely the health care system.[/quote]
i feel a lot of this is wrong
-shitty economy
-rapidly declining quality of life
-having a bloated military doesnt actually help
-higher education is WAY too expensive for most people in the u.s.
-alternate sexualities not accepted in the u.s. as well overall as in many other south american and european countries
-you're right about the healthcare, it's inferior to many other more developed countries
SaberPossimpiblei have way too much personal shit in the form of college shit to want to spend time worrying about the state of the nation, i mean i barely kept up with congress shitting itself violently until my roommate talked about it one day
Curious, you don't see that as a problem?
why would i
i value my education over a complete knowledge of current events
Fun fact: At college age, the frontal lobe of the brain is not fully developed (decision making, planning, etc are based here). This is part of the reason why insurance rates don't lower until after 25. You're doing it right, you weird fuck.
m4risai feel a lot of this is wrong
-shitty economy
-rapidly declining quality of life
-having a bloated military doesnt actually help
-higher education is WAY too expensive for most people in the u.s.
-alternate sexualities not accepted in the u.s. as well overall as in many other south american and european countries
-you're right about the healthcare, it's inferior to many other more developed countries
Strangely enough, the highlighted ones correlate. Higher education giving minute returns is part of it. Higher education was, initially the pavement on the road to middle/upper class status. Now, college education gives you MAYBE 4-5 dollars an hour over what a factory worker might be making.
umm, probably the best way to illustrate this is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM
[quote=Saber][quote=Possimpible][quote]i have way too much personal shit in the form of college shit to want to spend time worrying about the state of the nation, i mean i barely kept up with congress shitting itself violently until my roommate talked about it one day[/quote]
Curious, you don't see that as a problem?[/quote]
why would i
i value my education over a complete knowledge of current events[/quote]
Fun fact: At college age, the frontal lobe of the brain is not fully developed (decision making, planning, etc are based here). This is part of the reason why insurance rates don't lower until after 25. You're doing it right, you weird fuck.
[quote=m4risa]
i feel a lot of this is wrong
[b]-shitty economy[/b]
[b]-rapidly declining quality of life[/b]
-having a bloated military doesnt actually help
[b]-higher education is WAY too expensive for most people in the u.s.[/b]
-alternate sexualities not accepted in the u.s. as well overall as in many other south american and european countries
-you're right about the healthcare, it's inferior to many other more developed countries[/quote]
Strangely enough, the highlighted ones correlate. Higher education giving minute returns is part of it. Higher education was, initially the pavement on the road to middle/upper class status. Now, college education gives you MAYBE 4-5 dollars an hour over what a factory worker might be making.
umm, probably the best way to illustrate this is: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM[/youtube]
Its been common knowledge for years that the rest of the world thinks americans are less than knowledgeable about anything beyond their borders. To be honest the rest of the world is'nt a shinning beacon of light either.
Its been common knowledge for years that the rest of the world thinks americans are less than knowledgeable about anything beyond their borders. To be honest the rest of the world is'nt a shinning beacon of light either.
Not_Matlockstuff
That's not quite the story, at least towards the earlier parts of the settlement of the continent. There were three main colonies: France, Spain, and England. They were pretty much fighting over land during the 1600s-1760s, until lines were more clearly drawn, with France losing nearly all of their colonies to England, and Spain not really getting involved with the fights between England and France, which culminated in the French and Indian war (misleading name. it's done so because of the Indian's assistance to France).
[quote=Not_Matlock]
stuff
[/quote]
That's not quite the story, at least towards the earlier parts of the settlement of the continent. There were three main colonies: France, Spain, and England. They were pretty much fighting over land during the 1600s-1760s, until lines were more clearly drawn, with France losing nearly all of their colonies to England, and Spain not really getting involved with the fights between England and France, which culminated in the French and Indian war (misleading name. it's done so because of the Indian's assistance to France).
[img]http://i.imgur.com/bgNfrCs.jpg[/img]
My first opinion will be stop saying "America" like is just the U.S, AMERICA IS THE WHOLE CONTINENT!
My first opinion will be stop saying "America" like is just the U.S, AMERICA IS THE WHOLE CONTINENT!
MastIts been common knowledge for years that the rest of the world thinks americans are less than knowledgeable about anything beyond their borders. To be honest the rest of the world is'nt a shinning beacon of light either.
most americans are less than knowledgeable about anything inside our borders (with the exception of FOOTBALL...).
[quote=Mast]Its been common knowledge for years that the rest of the world thinks americans are less than knowledgeable about anything beyond their borders. To be honest the rest of the world is'nt a shinning beacon of light either.[/quote]
most americans are less than knowledgeable about anything inside our borders (with the exception of FOOTBALL...).
Going to Spain and traveling around Europe this summer made me realize just how dumb America is about a lot of stuff that seems to be common sense in Europe, whether it be social acceptance or education or whatever.
However, it also made me realize how much about America I take for granted like our military security (I made some Israeli friends and those guys live every day wondering if they're going to get bombed) and our economic success (relative to a lot of the places I visited; Spain was at +/-27% unemployment when I was living there for a month).
So I guess all I can say is while America is quite dumb and backwards in a lot of ways we still have quite a bit going for us and that shouldn't be forgotten.
Going to Spain and traveling around Europe this summer made me realize just how dumb America is about a lot of stuff that seems to be common sense in Europe, whether it be social acceptance or education or whatever.
However, it also made me realize how much about America I take for granted like our military security (I made some Israeli friends and those guys live every day wondering if they're going to get bombed) and our economic success (relative to a lot of the places I visited; Spain was at +/-27% unemployment when I was living there for a month).
So I guess all I can say is while America is quite dumb and backwards in a lot of ways we still have quite a bit going for us and that shouldn't be forgotten.