2008-09-22, 09:31 PM
I think the word you were looking for was utopian, and I second the notion for gundams
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Uninationalism
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2008-09-22, 09:31 PM
I think the word you were looking for was utopian, and I second the notion for gundams
2008-09-22, 09:38 PM
kleptophobia Wrote:Edit 1: Americans are not what you say they are. If you talk about Germany in those terms, you might point out that they're drunkards, xenophobic and have totalitarian tendencies. Then you take some backwater hick, put him next to someone like Mozart, and then go decide who of the two is more representative of "Germany." Same as that, American idiots are very materialistic and shallow, but we are also the most diverse and accepting society anywhere in the world. Only in America can someone come from nowhere and through hard work accomplish something for himself. And we do have our share of scholars, (4000 universities and a lot of those professors are American.) In addition, the political and business systems in America are the best. Yes, Japan has great cars, etc., but California alone can compete with Japan on those terms. And people like e.e. cummings, Mark Twain, Emily Dickenson, etc., are not exactly your typical debased pigs. In America you have freedom; freedom to be a moron, and freedom to be more than a moron. There's a restaurant I go to. Just a restaurant in my city. Now that I am a regular there, the Korean lady running it showed me pictures of herself on the 1964 Korean Olympic volleyball team, as well as recent pics of herself and her husband with George W Bush and his wife. Why is this woman in America and not in Korea? Probably for the same reason that I am not in Russia but here. As for the national soul for each country, trust me, it's there. I am 27 years old, and have been in America since I was 10. English is my primary language at this point, but I still think like a Russian, not like a person born in America. Different countries have different habits, even different emotional spectrums. The German language is heavy and cumbersome, you can't do the same things with it that Russians can with theirs, and Americans can with theirs. The chief problem with America is that it is YOUNG. The major European nations have histories spanning thousands of years. If you look at China and Japan, those are some seriously old countries. That's a lot more time to accumulate cultural capital than America has had in its 300. So, while Confucious has had some time to spread his wisdom to the Chinese public, we are grasping for identity, and in our haste to claim it elevate Britney Spears over the person (who may be alive now) who may become the American Confucious. I am sure the other nations had the same growing pains when they were that young.
2008-09-23, 08:12 AM
Wani Wrote:Otago, and let's face it, Otago > Canterbury. Gogo interprovincial rivalries! Go Waikato! XD Although... Do we even rival with Otago? o.O? Not living in NZ anymore, but I still love it there
2008-09-23, 10:34 PM
Quantact Wrote:Americans are not what you say they are. If you talk about Germany in those terms, you might point out that they're drunkards, xenophobic and have totalitarian tendencies. Then you take some backwater hick, put him next to someone like Mozart, and then go decide who of the two is more representative of "Germany." Same as that, American idiots are very materialistic and shallow, but we are also the most diverse and accepting society anywhere in the world.Well of course, I'm an American and I just find it disgusting that when ever a foreigner thinks of an American they think of the American I described, which does not accurately represent me or the actual traits I identify with. As for Germany being slightly totalitarian, that is baseless ;D. Quantact Wrote:Only in America can someone come from nowhere and through hard work accomplish something for himself. And we do have our share of scholars, (4000 universities and a lot of those professors are American.) In addition, the political and business systems in America are the best.Europe generally has more social freedom, but many nations like France, Germany, and Eastern European nations still suppress total freedom of speech, as does Canada. This doesn't prove that we're the most free though, our government is a corrupt morass, and is generally incompatible with other nation's governments. Not to mention most countries absolutely hate America and only accept America's culture when force fed like a cow's medicine. Quantact Wrote:...Japan has great cars, etc., but California alone can compete with Japan on those terms. And people like e.e. cummings, Mark Twain, Emily Dickenson, etc., are not exactly your typical debased pigs. In America you have freedom; freedom to be a moron, and freedom to be more than a moron. There's a restaurant I go to. Just a restaurant in my city. Now that I am a regular there, the Korean lady running it showed me pictures of herself on the 1964 Korean Olympic volleyball team, as well as recent pics of herself and her husband with George W Bush and his wife. Why is this woman in America and not in Korea? Probably for the same reason that I am not in Russia but here. As for the national soul for each country, trust me, it's there. I am 27 years old, and have been in America since I was 10. English is my primary language at this point, but I still think like a Russian, not like a person born in America. Different countries have different habits, even different emotional spectrums. The German language is heavy and cumbersome, you can't do the same things with it that Russians can with theirs, and Americans can with theirs.America's economic prowess is just another reason why the world dislikes us and we're incompatible. Our economy would be great if we could extend it to everyone but we have our poor and homeless who we expect to be taken care of (non-profit organizations are handy here). This model wouldn't work in Europe where the government is actually effective (albeit huge), and can command the economy via taxes. In America taxes and subsidies are used as bribes, to win elections. Again all that I've seen America be an example for the rest of the world is assimilation. This is a good policy that should be extended world wide, but then again most nationalities, ethnicities, religions, and other "demographics" are unwilling to convert to one culture. America's melting pot (as well as England's post Danelaw melting pot) are examples that the world should follow... I suppose. And German is a very elegant language, not harsh. Because orators like Goebbels & Hitler have made it sound angry and violent, it is no different than other Germanic languages (essentially, although Swabian & Swiss German are rather unlike High German). Quantact Wrote:The chief problem with America is that it is YOUNG. The major European nations have histories spanning thousands of years. If you look at China and Japan, those are some seriously old countries. That's a lot more time to accumulate cultural capital than America has had in its 300. So, while Confucious has had some time to spread his wisdom to the Chinese public, we are grasping for identity, and in our haste to claim it elevate Britney Spears over the person (who may be alive now) who may become the American Confucious. I am sure the other nations had the same growing pains when they were that young.We're more like Rome, besides the constant civil wars. Thanks to our congress for fighting those wars in words, not with lead & cold steel. As for America having "growing pains" I doubt we will outgrow the world's hatred without radical shift to other nation's "Post Cold War" policies, or disintegrates. Then again such pessimism leads only to fulfilling these anarchist prophecies. On a completely different subject: Internationalism, Uninationalism, Anationalism all lead to loss of identity which leads to revolt and desire to learn their history and culture. In America each state has pretty similar demographics and laws to the ones near it, which creates regions (compare Midwest to Pacific Coast). I (and many other Americans) identify much more with our nationality than our statehood, or ethnicity.
2008-09-24, 08:08 PM
Saying America is full of idiots= True, but dont actually say that.. It's offending.
I dont think people actually hate America itself but Americas Gov't, and trust me, not even many Americans like they're own gov't, its horrible and still corrupted with Bushism. I hate Bush, why did we reelect him ?_? America as a country is good. Not as a gov't. I think the only "Uninationalism" we might get is a common world currency (which most likely be a redesigned dollar or a new form of paper money).
2008-09-24, 08:31 PM
"Uninationalism" is a sign of the times. One of the last things that has to happen before the rapture.
2008-09-24, 09:20 PM
ahoboandahal Wrote:"Uninationalism" is a sign of the times. One of the last things that has to happen before the rapture.Another reason why most people won't let it happen and what will eventually cause the real Apocalypse. "Democratic capitalism is the best system ever devised" [G.W. Bush] yet another reason why America doesn't fit with the rest of the world... Ah whatever. I'm not saying it is a bad thing, just some nations stand in the way... Primarily the USA, Russia and China. Which happen to some of the strongest nations on Earth. Quote:I hate BushHe is "the worst president ever!" is sickening, if you have to insult him at least do it somewhere where it is the subject. As for America being full of idiots, I disagree. It is ran by corruption, bribery and complete disregard for intelligence, but that doesn't make our wonderfully arrogant population "idiots". It is your (our) fault for not revolting, and the Declaration of Independence states clearly that if your government is oppressive, and does not represent your collective interest, you should (and must) revolt. |
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