American Human Development Index report released

[Monique]

I tend to get the impression that foreigners tend to get that impression about the US and I don't get the impression that it actually exists here.

I lived in the US for three years. My general impression was that patriotism plays a really big role in the society, I've talked to Americans and the ones I spoke to agreed. Just the other week I spoke to Americans who currently are studying in Europe, who shared the same opinion.

Oprah once did a show about the position of women in other countries, we were expected to have no opportunities and no freedoms, I was amazed by her amazement.

 

[WarPhalange]

We can't. I was just pointing out that there are plenty of them around. We could use public schooling as a measure, since it's more objective. That's still not absolute, though.

 

[OAQfirst]

We can't. I was just pointing out that there are plenty of them around. We could use public schooling as a measure, since it's more objective. That's still not absolute, though.

I don't see the point, then. Idiots are everywhere. In the context of humanino's posts, it sounds disproportionate by comparison to the rest of the world. Ultimately, it boils down to one of two suggestions:

There is an even distribution of idiots everywhere.

There are more idiots in the U.S.

 

[seycyrus]

Hey you know what : there is one way to decide where it's best to live. Go see somewhere else for yourself. I am always amazed how many american rednecks.

I'm always amazed at peoples use of what is basically a racist, stereotypical term.

ask me wether we have running tap water in our castles in Europe, and if the princesses also ride horses.

Yeah and I get tired of the al capone reference when I mention the city of Chicago.

If there is one thing I will not pay attention to, that would be the objectivity of an american citizen on its own country. Most of them live in an imaginary world and that is a big issue of yours.

Pure drivel.

 

[seycyrus]

Do you agree that the US has issues with the concept of sovereignty ? Should I make a list of the XXth century intervention of your country in other countries' politics ?

Sure, go right ahead. And I'll make a list of whatever others countries political interventions of the past.

Caveat...of course the country would had to have enough power and influence to actually have to ability to interefere. let's not talk about Iceland.

The US has acted with the most restraint, most compassion and most SELF CRITICISM of *any* other comparable world empire at any other time in world history.

 

[seycyrus]

I somewhat agree with humanino, the US is often portrayed in the American media as the only country in the world where people live in freedom (as an example). That is just ignorant and it always get me on the edge of my seat.

That's funny. I never see the US portrayed that way. Try taking off your filter.

Which programs? What channels? Any specific examples?

 

[seycyrus]

I just finished reading the thread. All i have to say is HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Basically, we have a *French* person faulting americans for having a high opinion of themselves. AND interfering in other countries affairs.

Once again, that's a great joke.

 

[edward]

I just finished reading the thread. All i have to say is HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Basically, we have a *French* person faulting americans for having a high opinion of themselves. AND interfering in other countries affairs.

Once again, that's a great joke.

Thats right we only accept reports that tell us exactly what we want to hear.

 

[humanino]

How am I supposed to agree with you?

Well, really you were not. Because

It's an exaggeration
[...]This is another example of how you generalize so broadly.

is fair : I have been provoking, exaggerating to the point it became a caricature. The reason I was doing that is partly expressed below, and I was also partly willing to display a common place opinion in Europe, which I admit is silly but still should raise some questions.

Thank you for your sensible answer, I appreciate as much as my comments would not have deserved it !

It's a human problem. Can you be so sure that these problems wouldn't exist in another country if it had the same power?

Agreed.

I tend to get the impression that foreigners tend to get that impression about the US and I don't get the impression that it actually exists here.

I described also things I live here reading the newspapers, generalized and overstated on purpose as I said. I do love this country really, and want the best for it : those things I described are painful to me and I can't be reasonable about them, they really upset me. This is the rest of my reasons I referred to earlier.

You've seriously had people ask you that?

I was asked literally whether running tap water is common in France. The rest was given with a smile by this person, who understood how silly his question was.

Globally I apologize if I offended somebody. I am not surprised to read

Pure drivel.

There was still some concerns in the stats shown in post #8

 

[quadraphonics]

I was also partly willing to display a common place opinion in Europe, which I admit is silly but still should raise some questions.

It does, but probably not the questions you had in mind.

 

[humanino]

It does, but probably not the questions you had in mind.

I have communication issues (among other things in your opinion I'm sure)

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

I'm surprised you don't get dizzy with that kind of spinning.

And the point isn't that there are ignorant people, which are everywhere, it's the amount of ignorant people and how ignorant they are.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uIMu8cjxT38

http://youtube.com/watch?v=E9dCwwzXC4I

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kvaR-TiDtHM

 

[WarPhalange]

I don't have sound on my computer right now, but you do know that half the people interviewed for that first video were the same stupid kids over and over, right? I thought I already said kids are stupid in that teenage murder thread.

The second one I couldn't hear, but I think I got the jist of it. I'm surprised they didn't have a cop right there take all of their licenses away.