View of americans

y2kbg

Just wondering what people of intelligence in technology that don't(or do for that matter) live in the usa think of Americans. I here alot of people say that other countries have generalizations of America and wanna see if it is true.

crash_D.

EDIT: PLEASE REPLY SOMETHING AFTER YOU READ THIS POST

nothing personal here, y2kbg (and everyone living in the us).. but i do have something to say..

not only i live in a european country, but it is also a post soviet country, which means that historically we have been enemies in the cold war... of course, now ukraine stands miles away from this heavyweight silent wrestiling between russian and us, but still the traces of the past are very evident here, especially with the older population...

as to the opinioin about americans,,,, here it is... this is the general opinion of most slavic population (at least from my experience).. the first thing is that americans have no cultural heritage, which leads to lower cultural and moral development.. this is mostly based on the facts that european and eastern cultures have been developeing for thousands (!!!) of years, and the us as an independent country is a little over 200 years...

the second general opinion is the illiteracy... ok, i don't mean that americans are stupid, but check the literacy rates at wikipedia, and note that there 36th position is secured for the us (check page history, there should be note saying that according to CIA its lower).. and btw cia fact book says "Literacy: [...] total population: 99%; male: 99%; female: 99% (2003 est.)" .. and believe me, 99% is pretty low for a developed ecomonic giant like the us... i am not generalizing, but when i asked about where the ww2 was in some chat, most american teens said it was on the territory of the us, at pearl harbor...

and truly,,, it is wellknown fact (at least for me) that public education level in the us is at lower level compared to most european countries... many friends of mine and i myself, when visited us public schools noticed that they (or rather you) solve problems in highschool, which we (ukrainian or russian students) have solved in 6 grade.. that was a shock for me... plus, i have noticed that most adult americans most often are prone to mastering one skill or field, and are not interested in any other science or doctrine (i am interested in american history, and i know a lot about american life and history; this is because your economy has never been (significantly) regulated , which is a unique phenomenon in the world).. .. ... in eauropean, or at least eastern eauropean slavic culture, we strive to know as much as possible.... so, for example, besides my BBA degree in management, I am deeply interested in math and statistics, I love web-development, I know much about american history, and i always try to learn as much as possible... maybe its the trace of Lenin's motto, "learn, learn, and once more learn, comrades" (rus: учиться, учиться, и еще раз учиться, товарищи) and another local wisdom, "live for age, learn for age" (rus: век живи - век учись). ...

so i don't want to look fun or stupid, or anything (if i am, then please understand that this message is sincere, couse i love this comunity, and value candor).. but look here.. do you know the 4 compounds of human blood? or what is the name of the estate where american civil war started AND ended? or what is the major reason why Grant is on 50 bucks? what is the largest city in eurasia? the application of golden section (or mean) in real life? do you know 60 digits after decimal sign in PI constant (anyone from alabama)? or about 30 digits in phi? or do you know what is a phi constant at all? or who are the beefeaters (longlive the queen)? or that google is owned by a russian? or that americans owe canada a part of their land? or that AMERICANS HAVE NOT DEFEATED THE BRITISH EVEN ONCE, DURING THE INDEPENDENCE WAR? i know this may sound like nonsense, but its true!! the british crashed all american armies, whenever they encountered them, but, after the war was over, and the official note about it was in the road, americans desparately and with huge losses did defeat once, ,, but the war was already over, and the notice to americans have not yet been delivered yet,,, anyway.. ... all this was from my head, meaning i know the exact answers without reading or peeping anywhere (although i was tempted, i confess)... and all i want, is that you say that "hey, this is all piece of cake" and provide answers immediately from your head, without looking up anywhere.. if you do it, ill be very glad.. ... (im not mentioning the fact that my mothertongue is russian, and english i learned)..

and ok, i understand, that everyone knows something according to your diploma or degree, but what about the general knowledge, which is simple literacy, erudition, and intelligence?... and what about the desire to know more? here, we all have it... the general opinion about americans, is that they they (you) don't... which leads to another fact that people here think that most americans are naive (and probably dumb)... now, i udnerstand that people who have created such a powerful (no flatter, plain objective facts) country simply cannot be bumb,,,, but as for naive, part of it i think is true... again, no offence... i believe, that due to a higher economic position and better living conditions, americans adapt worse to life basics (although better to business problems)... this is because of the aforementioned narrow spacialization..

again guys,,, im not boasting here or anything, and i don't want to look bad, stupid, or anything... i only express the public opinion, and demonstrate as much as i can.. and remember, that what is ok for you, might be totally unaccaptable in other culture, so keep that in mind... (i guess it was president Truman who came to a foreign country, and waved peace signs to the public,, but for them it was like showing the middle finger.. lol.. ).. so, i am from a different culture that most of you vanillers,,, so please keep that in mind... ..

ok,,, i hope i made it clear, y2kbg, that the general impression of americans in slavic world is negative, mostly because of the traces of the cold war.. ..

p.s. from my head: pi=3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375105820974944 correct me if im wrong

PLEASE REPLY SOMETHING AFTER YOU READ THIS POST

garvin

*nods* Our education system isn't of quality anymore, that's for sure. I learned more on my own and by trying to figure stuff out vs what was in school. I had to have the drive to want to get knowledge. It wasn't necessarily taught in school like it should have been.

3stripe

I think the world's view of "America" is shaped mostly by a) your president and b) the movies - meaning that we don't really know much about real "Americans" and are left with cliched stereotypes of who you really are.

u2wedge

I guess what I get tired of, and I'm speaking as an American, is that we don't focus enough on our own problems and are more concerned about saving the world. I read an article on digg.com the other day that basically highlighted the fact that we've had a Bush in power for almost 20 years. Bush #1 as VP from 1980-1988, as president from 1988-1992 and George #2 from 2002-2008. Now we're running the risk of having another Clinton in office for another potential 8 years... that would make the past 30 years of American policital culture directed, in large part, by just two families. There's even an outside chance that Bush's younger brother Jeb might run for President... hell no! That is why I'm really leaning toward a candidate like Obama who I really think will shake things up and get America firing on all cylinders again. For all our faults and miscues, there's still no place I'd rather call home.

WallPhone

Very impressive Crash. I'll agree the American education "system" is not very efficient. My parents recognised this, so I was "home schooled"--mostly self-educated. I doubt many americans even know who is on the $50, or the fact that two american bills do not even have a former president on them. I always regret not learning more when I had the time and opportunity.

You posted an impressive collection of facts, and only two I can answer. But it was Nixon who waved the peace sign :-)

crash_D.

thanks, WallPhone,,,, thanks for correction,, note, i said "i guess" there, couse i wan't sure..

edit: may i ask which two you answered, plz

Krak

Its the same way for every country I would imagine.

blizeH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCkYfYa8ePI - 'nuff said :-)

Wanderer

America, hmmm, Democracy comes to mind, freedom of speech, they may completely disagree with what you say but value and actively defend your right to say it.

I've been there a few times, east coast, west coast, Chicago. I found Americans very patriotic but very ignorant of the world around them. Talking to a New Yorker about Tasmania she said "...Ain't that where Dracula lives? Sounds spooky..."

Posted: Monday, 12 February 2007 at 7:26AM (AEDT)

crash_D.

i sure understand that these people from the movie are not the ones that move USA forward and i sincerely hope that this reporter cut out the correct answers.... damn, it hurts...

i understand that cultural differences are important and bla bla, and something which is normal for a certain people is freaking for me... BUT......

from the basics of statistics: the most important thing to remember after watching the movie is to avoid hasty generalization logical fallacy.... even though that sample (which i hope was not random) allegedly represents the entire american population, ther are 300 million people more... so basing the impression of the entire nation on these 20 or so people is incorrect.. but still it does provide an impression of these 20 at least, and it is damn horrible ..

giginger

I always get the impression of extremes with America. Nothing is done by halves. This is good and bad.

y2kbg

""*nods* Our education system isn't of quality anymore, that's for sure. I learned more on my own and by trying to figure stuff out vs what was in school. I had to have the drive to want to get knowledge. It wasn't necessarily taught in school like it should have been.""


Same here

yesahasureok

short and painless:

the medal has two sides, the amercian and also the slavic or any medal in this world.
so its not an "oh yes sure, look those americans there "- problem.

u2wedge

and this blows the theory that non-Americans are necessarily more 'smart' http://digg.com/offbeat_news/PICTURE_She_Wanted_To_Be_a_Millionaire_But lol

y2kbg

hahaha

crash_D.

fery, could you be more specific?... i made a clear point, and what is yours?

y2kbg

yea when i read that i was like WTF

Ziyphr

US foreign policy has been fairly shameful and electing Bush as president reflects very badly on Americans. I think most educated people see that not all Americans are like Bush but there does seem to be mass US ignorance of other countries. Their foreign policy is conducted without any understanding or respect for culture and background. Some Americans actually think they are saving the world when in fact they are making enemies and creating more 'terrorists' as a result. In particular most Republican views are seen as extreme here in the UK, especially as they tend to be closely linked with old-fashioned religious beliefs. Religion and politics should be kept separate.

As a Brit it's embarrassing to see the UK agree with everything the US does and Tony Blair also has terrible foreign policy. He doesn't reflect the views of the general population and the sooner both Bush and Blair are gone the better for everyone.

There's no doubt the US has lots of positive qualities too, but the actions of those in command undermines everything.

giginger

Blair is a blight on the UK.

strawberries

America is full of good people, just like every other nation. Sadly, big business has long since ruled the country. And this is extremely obvious when the Republican neocons are in power. Over here in the UK, we have started to go that same road, under Herr Bliar. Outside it's borders, America is seen as a big bully. The end of the cold war, and the demise of the USSR, has allowed the USA to flex it's muscles. It's ironic, that after 911, the world cried for America, and now a few years later, under Bush's misguided foreign policies, the world largely despises the USA. I think that the west, most notably USA and the UK, need to redefine what 'democracy' is. The spin, deceit and downright lies of our present governments are threatening to leave people totally alienated. The Bush and Bliar governments have brought shame to our respective nations. I just hope that the decline in democratic institutions can be arrested.