Reading it all it only make it obvious that the majority of the problems arent localized to a certain country, but its generalized.
Bad public education/healthcare system. Corrupt government. Empty headed people screwing your country. Social issues.
My impressions after reading americans posting in the thread: + Show Spoiler +
As for americans, I believe you have all you need in the US and it had been like that for a long time. People probably started to fall more and more in the comfort zone and get lazy/ignorant about what happens outside of their country.
I believe the average american can afford to lunch in McDonalds every day of the week, and they just go for it. In Brazil for example, the majority of people cannot do that (actually we can but its cost-inefficient, since those damn hamburgers are tiny and cost ten times their size lol).
Over 1/4 of U.S. adults are obese. Not fat - but so fat that it is dangerous to their health. The Army has had to change their Basic Training program because recruits were not fit enough to do situps or to do distance running.
Many people base their worldviews on Christianity, but have never so much as thumbed through the Bible.
Americans have completely lost any sense of self-sacrifice and hard work. People want the national debt reduced, but they don't want to pay higher taxes. They want better healthcare, but they don't want to take care of their own health by exercising and eating right. They want national security, but they're indifferent or hostile to the idea of a Palestinian state, they don't want to join the army, and they don't want to change their lifestyles by reducing their dependency on foreign oil. Our obsession with with finding out "what's in it for me?" is matched only by our shallow emotional need to appear to care about something larger than ourselves.
This is a major problem and completely true in America. For example, I was just listening to some Mississippi Republican senator on NPR saying that he wants to reduce the size of the federal government, but whenever he was criticized, he said that the federal government wasn't doing enough.
The religion in America is absolutely intolerable. At all of the major universities in Colorado there are literally insane christians screaming at the top of their lungs that we are all sinners and going to hell etc etc. (They usually have teenage women as assistants, and I can't help but think those women are severely abused.) The state of science is really sad as well. Although the scientific community itself is extremely vibrant and rigorous, people don't respect it and often use scientific theories for their own horseshit ideas (ex. Law of Thermodynamics - energy can't be created or destroyed, only changed. People say that all the time as proof that heaven exists... wat) Also the fact that anyone can have opinions about science is truly annoying (religion again, but also regarding climate change). There are such things as facts, and that's why science exists... stupid religious nuts.
I would say that yes, the US has a lot of career opportunities, but this country (as far as my experiences go) is a country of hate. Rampant racism. Neighborhoods are divided by race (black, white, Mexican) pretty much wherever I've been. Extremely divisive communities, idealogies and of course politics. I live in Denver, which is actually a pretty nice place. There are a lot of bums but overall it's fine. Yet if you ever leave the metro cities, you will be hated if your neck is not very very red. The entire south will hate you if you are perceivably a foreigner of any type (US northerner included). I was shocked at how mean the south is to northerners and I will never ever visit the south again.
Also I feel like there is no real morality. Christians of course are the opposite of moral - rape, lie, hate and steal is all they do (and 'fundraisers' for the poor, etc are just excuses for recruitment). But also the Republican party are THE most selfish people on the planet. That's the real reason there is 'controversy' about global warming and the biodiversity crisis. They're worried it will affect the prices of things and their lifestyles. I'm a liberal not because I want the government to take care of me (how did that become a stereotype? I've actually never met a liberal who wants that) but because I'm concerned with social equality and the opportunities of future generations. But these anti-abortion freaks are completely willing to indoctrinate their children while simultaneously destroying their future (poor education, environmental destruction, reckless wars, stupid politicians, etc). There isn't any morality at college either. "Let's drink until we never wake up!" is the mantra at the colleges I've been (I was a guest student at a few).
More personal things - no nature. Mega-lazy culture. Even in Colorado - a 'healthy' place, so many people are grossly obese and simply do not care about exercise. Way too many cars. Everybody drives (unless you're poor). Nobody smiles. I've found it's impossible to gain respect unless you're just a raging prick. Too exclusive of groups - unless you're a hardcore biker, bikers hate you. Unless you're a jock, football players don't like you. And the worst for me - unless you're a graduate student, nobody likes you in your degree program ;(. People use 'America is awesome-land' as an excuse to be lazy good-for-nothings relying on the country's reputation for work ethics. Lastly you can't be "proud to be an American" unless you were a founding father. You're proud of something you're not responsible for? "Oh I'm really proud of that new bridge over by the interstate! God bless the bridge!" It doesn't make sense. Unless you personally helped write the constitution, you have no right to be proud.
It makes me very sad that you have such a negative view of Christians and religion in general. Perhaps you have had some bad personal experiences? I really despise the behavior of professed Christians that behave the way you describe because they give people exactly the impression you seem to have.
Guess what these mainstream personalities all have in common?
On February 02 2005 13:51 ssidengi wrote: hm... can anyone tell me which countries are actually not in debt? ... I was thinking if there was one country that wouldn't be in debt, it'd be the states
The whole country is full of skinny homosexuals (which might be a good thing, less competition). I'm talking about Sweden of course (known for vikings, ironic, isn't it?).
The main issue with religion in America is that so much of the Protestant churches have gone mad with their Biblical Fundamentalism and religion has nearly completely hijacked an entire political spectrum. It isn't even really Christian anymore, but rather just utter idolatry and insanity. It is just as Paul Tillich had said decades ago. The burst of growth of Protestantism in America doesn't mean that religious life was prospering because it was lending itself to mass collectivism. And then the Christian wonders, "the atheists, why are they so antagonistic towards us?" It is because such an unbearable amount of Christians in the country show such a terrible proclamation of faith and doctrines that give way to the most disturbing implications. The atheist revolt against the Christianity that they are shown is justified.
As for the Koreans (I am a Korean American), it is amazing at how much solidarity the entirety of the nation can muster in an instant if it is called for. It is sometimes baffling. But we Koreans disperse and degenerate into petty conflicts just as quickly. Our culture is one with limitless potential but we will always disappoint it.
On September 05 2010 15:04 koreasilver wrote: The main issue with religion in America is that so much of the Protestant churches have gone mad with their Biblical Fundamentalism and religion has nearly completely hijacked an entire political spectrum. It isn't even really Christian anymore, but rather just utter idolatry and insanity. It is just as Paul Tillich had said decades ago. The burst of growth of Protestantism in America doesn't mean that religious life was prospering because it was lending itself to mass collectivism. And then the Christian wonders, "the atheists, why are they so antagonistic towards us?" It is because such an unbearable amount of Christians in the country show such a terrible proclamation of faith and doctrines that give way to the most disturbing implications. The atheist revolt against the Christianity that they are shown is justified.
As for the Koreans (I am a Korean American), it is amazing at how much solidarity the entirety of the nation can muster in an instant if it is called for. It is sometimes baffling. But we Koreans disperse and degenerate into petty conflicts just as quickly. Our culture is one with limitless potential but we will always disappoint it.
I agree with your assessment, and like I said before it's very sad. Christianity has the potential to be so much more to the world than so much of it has become in America.
On September 05 2010 10:02 Cambium wrote: - Rich people in China are the worst; minus the money they have (through 'grey' channels I'd assume), most of them they are still just farmers. They have no respect for their surroundings, and lack even the most basic mannerism. This really struck me when I was in Tokyo, where apparently flocks of rich Chinese tourists shop in upscale department stores. They were always shouting, pointing and generally not showing a sign of respect to the Japanese culture (which is being polite, quite and reserved).
Haha yeah newly rich chinese people aged 40+ are horrible. They lack class to the highest degree. They invade luxury stores and act like pricks because they have money so that means they can do whatever the fuck they want right? They also lack the slightest elegance, they'll buy some random LV stuff just because there's LV written all over it and then they'll mix it up with green sweatpants and random running shoes and just look like huge douchebags. Just look around in airports and you'll see them everywhere.
Also in China some people from the older generation are incredibly rude. They'll run over you to get in the subway train, they'll fight their way through waiting queues and wave 100y bills under the nose of the employees to get served first, etc. I don't really mind though because maybe they just went through fucking hard shit 40 years ago, and the new generation is much more mannered imo. The strange thing is that older people here are either rude assholes,or very nice and mannered people, it's like there's nothing inbetween.
About french people being the worst tourists in the world: fuck them seriously, France is all about the image of romantism and elegance, ruining that by acting like pigs is a fucking shame. This makes me mad. Thank god every single foreigner believes I'm german based on my looks, if France goes down the drain I'll just say I'm german lol. :/
Over 1/4 of U.S. adults are obese. Not fat - but so fat that it is dangerous to their health. The Army has had to change their Basic Training program because recruits were not fit enough to do situps or to do distance running.
Many people base their worldviews on Christianity, but have never so much as thumbed through the Bible.
Americans have completely lost any sense of self-sacrifice and hard work. People want the national debt reduced, but they don't want to pay higher taxes. They want better healthcare, but they don't want to take care of their own health by exercising and eating right. They want national security, but they're indifferent or hostile to the idea of a Palestinian state, they don't want to join the army, and they don't want to change their lifestyles by reducing their dependency on foreign oil. Our obsession with with finding out "what's in it for me?" is matched only by our shallow emotional need to appear to care about something larger than ourselves.
This is a major problem and completely true in America. For example, I was just listening to some Mississippi Republican senator on NPR saying that he wants to reduce the size of the federal government, but whenever he was criticized, he said that the federal government wasn't doing enough.
The religion in America is absolutely intolerable. At all of the major universities in Colorado there are literally insane christians screaming at the top of their lungs that we are all sinners and going to hell etc etc. (They usually have teenage women as assistants, and I can't help but think those women are severely abused.) The state of science is really sad as well. Although the scientific community itself is extremely vibrant and rigorous, people don't respect it and often use scientific theories for their own horseshit ideas (ex. Law of Thermodynamics - energy can't be created or destroyed, only changed. People say that all the time as proof that heaven exists... wat) Also the fact that anyone can have opinions about science is truly annoying (religion again, but also regarding climate change). There are such things as facts, and that's why science exists... stupid religious nuts.
I would say that yes, the US has a lot of career opportunities, but this country (as far as my experiences go) is a country of hate. Rampant racism. Neighborhoods are divided by race (black, white, Mexican) pretty much wherever I've been. Extremely divisive communities, idealogies and of course politics. I live in Denver, which is actually a pretty nice place. There are a lot of bums but overall it's fine. Yet if you ever leave the metro cities, you will be hated if your neck is not very very red. The entire south will hate you if you are perceivably a foreigner of any type (US northerner included). I was shocked at how mean the south is to northerners and I will never ever visit the south again.
Also I feel like there is no real morality. Christians of course are the opposite of moral - rape, lie, hate and steal is all they do (and 'fundraisers' for the poor, etc are just excuses for recruitment). But also the Republican party are THE most selfish people on the planet. That's the real reason there is 'controversy' about global warming and the biodiversity crisis. They're worried it will affect the prices of things and their lifestyles. I'm a liberal not because I want the government to take care of me (how did that become a stereotype? I've actually never met a liberal who wants that) but because I'm concerned with social equality and the opportunities of future generations. But these anti-abortion freaks are completely willing to indoctrinate their children while simultaneously destroying their future (poor education, environmental destruction, reckless wars, stupid politicians, etc). There isn't any morality at college either. "Let's drink until we never wake up!" is the mantra at the colleges I've been (I was a guest student at a few).
More personal things - no nature. Mega-lazy culture. Even in Colorado - a 'healthy' place, so many people are grossly obese and simply do not care about exercise. Way too many cars. Everybody drives (unless you're poor). Nobody smiles. I've found it's impossible to gain respect unless you're just a raging prick. Too exclusive of groups - unless you're a hardcore biker, bikers hate you. Unless you're a jock, football players don't like you. And the worst for me - unless you're a graduate student, nobody likes you in your degree program ;(. People use 'America is awesome-land' as an excuse to be lazy good-for-nothings relying on the country's reputation for work ethics. Lastly you can't be "proud to be an American" unless you were a founding father. You're proud of something you're not responsible for? "Oh I'm really proud of that new bridge over by the interstate! God bless the bridge!" It doesn't make sense. Unless you personally helped write the constitution, you have no right to be proud.
Pride in your country is pride in being a part of it, because every time you meet someone you're exemplifying america, and at the same time being associated with the picture of america that person already had. People don't reject environmental responsibility just because it would be immediately inconvenient to them. They reject it because they don't think it's real, because everyone is telling them it's not real. It doesn't have all that much to do with selfishness. The problem with america, and with most everywhere else, is intellectual laziness. The way most people are, they won't do anything good unless they have a good person to tell them what to do. It doesn't matter what side you're on. 95% of people don't understand the issues they hold some of their strongest opinions about anyway.
There's too much pride in the United States, and probably all over the world. No one should be proud of being a member of a country they were born or became a member of. You can be happy, but not proud. What have you achieved but by sheer luck that you were born in your country?
The United States is filled with religious fanatics, and being an atheist is... Annoying, to say the least. Too many people in my country press their ethics and ideals on you, and that seriously pisses me off. It disgusts me that religion is so deeply entwined in our culture and government.
I hate that people feel the need to cockblock science due to moral issues.
I'm certainly not "proud" of being apart of the United States. I wouldn't say I'm happy, either. But I'm not sure its practical for me to move countries any time soon, though it would be nice if there ends up being a better option in the future. Generally, I wish politics didn't exist, but its unavoidable so your stuck in shit wherever you go.
The rampant racism against Africans, Aborigines, Asians and Muslims is disgusting in Australia. It's not uncommon to watch a news program attack Asians "taking our jobs" and the rise in bashing of Indian students and the belief that it's their fault makes me sick. Our two major political parties are almost exactly the same and pander to the ridiculous far right extremists.
On September 05 2010 16:49 hoppipolla wrote: The rampant racism against Africans, Aborigines, Asians and Muslims is disgusting in Australia. It's not uncommon to watch a news program attack Asians "taking our jobs" and the rise in bashing of Indian students and the belief that it's their fault makes me sick. Our two major political parties are almost exactly the same and pander to the ridiculous far right extremists.
australian politician <3
on second thought they might be from new zealand or something
anyway hilarious
(like to add that this is not infact a real interview )
On September 05 2010 16:49 hoppipolla wrote: The rampant racism against Africans, Aborigines, Asians and Muslims is disgusting in Australia. It's not uncommon to watch a news program attack Asians "taking our jobs" and the rise in bashing of Indian students and the belief that it's their fault makes me sick. Our two major political parties are almost exactly the same and pander to the ridiculous far right extremists.
on second thought they might be from new zealand or something
anyway hilarious
Oh they're comedians, "Mock interview from Clarke and Dawe regarding an Australian Shipping Mishap. Extremely funny in the spirit of Monty Python." And yes they're very funny. Damn your ninja edit.
Canadians seem to have a very odd sense of nationalistic pride. Other countries have more of a shared culture and history, whereas Canadian nationalism seems a bit forced. People in Alberta have almost nothing in common with people in Quebec. We tend not to question why we all love Canada (if we do) and dwell on the merit of "not being American".
There are some nice things about our cities, landscapes and government, but I dislike nationalism in general. Why we should all have blind allegiance to the state we were born into is stupefying to me, but obviously our governments do nothing but encourage it.
In my country people is only nacionalist when Spain Fooboll and Basket selections wins WorlCup or Eurocups, or Nadal wins wimbledon, or Alonso F1, or Gasol do well in NBA. When Spain dont play any sport almost nobody is nacionalist.
I think that people here is more concentrated in Sports than in their economy. xDDDD
America's politicians are too conservative while the majority of the citizens are liberals. Politicians think that they cannot get elected if they were liberal so after a primary every candidate "runs to the center." And the Democratic Party has no fucking ballz to do anything against the Republican Party. Also they are too pussy too call bullshit on anything that is said on Fox News Channel. AND GOD DAMN CONSERVATIVES THAT THINK TAX BREAKS FOR THE RICH WILL CREATE MORE JOBS! DA FAK
There is not much to be said about the negatives of Canada that cannot be said about the rest of the world. There is a parochial mentality which comes about living in Canada which harbour the remnants of our innocence. There is suburbanization and uninhabitable cities, but therein lies the refuge of neighbourhood. There is the loss of Anglo-Celtic heritage, and a widespread meaningless belief in multiculturalism and progress, but patriotism remains unscathed. There is the deficit of cultural life, but there remains an unassuming pragmatism untouched by barbaric dogmas.
Having been away from Canada for four years now, it has become difficult to criticise her to foreigners in a meaningful way. One may grumble and wail about family to family, but among strangers, one closes ranks.
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<3
