Reg: 12-2004 Loc: Between madness and insanity. Posts: 954 Greatness: 92 (+108/-16)
Re: Like the americans or not? Tempers always seem to flare when national pride gets involved. ^_^
The way that I see it, there are Four Truths...
1. America is a superpower, whether we like it or not.
2. They have reach and influence on a lot of nations. A LOT of them.
3. How they handle things will have an effect on other nations, be they allies or enemies.
4. They will be held to scrutiny, and their actions will be carefully observed as a result.
Many people may not hold a high opinion of America simply because they fear they will be effected negatively is the US (pardon me for saying so) 'buggers it up.'
Whether it be by accident or on purpose, America's culture is leaking through to the culture of other nations, due to it's superpower status. This has had varied effects. There is a risk of cultural identity being lost if the influence is too great. People don't like this, and rightfully so.
Either way, I hold no grudges against American individuals. I'm sure that most of them are sociable, decent enough people. I simply advise that the US takes extreme caution of what they do whilst holding superpower status.
--- Prima: "If we waste any more time on 'weeaboo', we'll be bankrupt by the end of the month!"
Secunda: "Did someone just say 'weeaboo?' Because I heard someone say 'weeaboo'."
Persons 2-10: "Wee-a-boo! Wee-a-boo!"
Reg: 11-2004 Loc: US Posts: 8 Greatness: 3 (+3/-0)
Re: Like the americans or not? Fascinating discussion. Interestingly, the whole "I don't like Americans" mentality is every bit as ignorant as the "America is great" mentality. Both are simplistic, short-sighted, and display a lack of understanding of the complexities of politics and human nature. Quite surprising from a group that gets into a game that specifically explores the dangers of bigotry and assumption and the dangers of putting trust in government, which then pull the wool over the eyes of the citizenry to advance it's own continuation and profitability.
All of that happens in a game you guys play all the time, yet you can't seem to see why those particular themes were chosen. Ask yourselves this - would the American government be able to do all that it does without the backup - obvious or covert - of the other powerful governments of the world? That includes the governments of your own respective countries, by the way. May want to give Saudi Arabia and it's relationship with the US a glanceover as well.
But by all means, comfort yourselves by attributing complex politics in a simplistic manner to an entire populace who can do nothing about it (I'm sure you're all familiar with the vast amount of evidence that both the 2000 and 2004 elections were fraudulant). It's much easier to develop bigotry against an entire population than explore truly complex political and economic rationales behind government actions.
quote:
There are good and bad people everywhere.
Precisely - and well said on your whole post
Ixion, I do hope this post wasn't too loud and in-your-face for your sensibilities.
Sorry Zeen, couldn't let this one go by. I'll be good now.
PS - I think Kotori is absolutely correct about alternate energy.
Fascinating discussion. Interestingly, the whole "I don't like Americans" mentality is every bit as ignorant as the "America is great" mentality. Both are simplistic, short-sighted, and display a lack of understanding of the complexities of politics and human nature. Quite surprising from a group that gets into a game that specifically explores the dangers of bigotry and assumption and the dangers of putting trust in government, which then pull the wool over the eyes of the citizenry to advance it's own continuation and profitability.
Whoa... I actualy understood all that. Aw man, I dont wanna be a geek. Kill me now, I dont want to be a politician ! If you dont, I'll raise VAT when I get in power ! I'll make it so you can only drive 20 mph max without a speed licence, and I'll tax you for using government owned oxygen in the air .
quote:
It's much easier to develop bigotry against an entire population than explore truly complex political and economic rationales behind government actions.
Especialy when your british. . Our whole political system is based on voting for the least crap party.
What you have to remember is, when people talk about "america" or "britain" or "martians", its not paticularly the people inside that nation that matters, its the people in power and the actions taken by those people with power. In the end the populace is just a commodity, and we are used.
Considering most of Americas military action has been focused on extreme left groups ( lets face it, if we had true communism around, america would fall very quickly seeing as it relies so much on its capitalism, extortion, and blackmail of other countries ), it doesnt make them the best country around. Personaly I like Iceland, no wars there.
--- Freedom to Lebanon, Liberation from Israel, Stop the occupation and killing of civilians.
Reg: 04-2003 Loc: London, England Posts: 8839 Greatness: 284 (+380/-96)
Re: Like the americans or not?
quote:
Addi wrote:
Fascinating discussion. Interestingly, the whole "I don't like Americans" mentality is every bit as ignorant as the "America is great" mentality. Both are simplistic, short-sighted, and display a lack of understanding of the complexities of politics and human nature. Quite surprising from a group that gets into a game that specifically explores the dangers of bigotry and assumption and the dangers of putting trust in government, which then pull the wool over the eyes of the citizenry to advance it's own continuation and profitability.
All of that happens in a game you guys play all the time, yet you can't seem to see why those particular themes were chosen. Ask yourselves this - would the American government be able to do all that it does without the backup - obvious or covert - of the other powerful governments of the world? That includes the governments of your own respective countries, by the way. May want to give Saudi Arabia and it's relationship with the US a glanceover as well.
But by all means, comfort yourselves by attributing complex politics in a simplistic manner to an entire populace who can do nothing about it (I'm sure you're all familiar with the vast amount of evidence that both the 2000 and 2004 elections were fraudulant). It's much easier to develop bigotry against an entire population than explore truly complex political and economic rationales behind government actions.
quote:
There are good and bad people everywhere.
Precisely - and well said on your whole post
Ixion, I do hope this post wasn't too loud and in-your-face for your sensibilities.
Sorry Zeen, couldn't let this one go by. I'll be good now.
PS - I think Kotori is absolutely correct about alternate energy.
Re: Like the americans or not? Cracking read, really passionate, glad I didn't have to hear it, jk.
That was really informative...I think my, argh too much info
Re: Like the americans or not? Nah, you wanna do some more, go ooon you know you want to. That was a great post, ok most of us do 1-4 lines in our posts on this forum, but dont be scared of doing loads, often everyone else will post loads in responce, and hopefully we can build a true intelectual organisation on the board and FINALY go through with the world domination plans we have stacked up in the achive section that only the moderators and administrators can see.
We shall shock the world with terrorist actions like introducing a postal service that works, making the sky pink rather than blue in the summer season, and getting rid of that tacky rule in pizza hut that you wait by the door before being sent to an empty table.
--- Freedom to Lebanon, Liberation from Israel, Stop the occupation and killing of civilians.
Reg: 11-2004 Loc: US Posts: 8 Greatness: 3 (+3/-0)
Re: Like the americans or not? No deal. I don't want a pink sky. Purple...well, maybe I could work with you. But the color of Barbie must never dominate the skies.
Thanks Zeen I'm at the tale end, but now my husband's got it. Ah well. Hope you're doing ok.
Reg: 12-2004 Loc: Between madness and insanity. Posts: 954 Greatness: 92 (+108/-16)
Re: Like the americans or not? Yes, a thoroughly enjoyable and intelligent post, and I commend you for it. ^_^
And feel free to post big if you want to. You'll encourage me to be less lazy, and that's always a good thing.
And just for the record, I would prefer a purple sky. ^_^
--- Prima: "If we waste any more time on 'weeaboo', we'll be bankrupt by the end of the month!"
Secunda: "Did someone just say 'weeaboo?' Because I heard someone say 'weeaboo'."
Persons 2-10: "Wee-a-boo! Wee-a-boo!"