Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site oddjob.UChicago.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!ihnp4!gargoyle!oddjob!london From: london@oddjob.UChicago.UUCP (David London) Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Americans Message-ID: <371@oddjob.UChicago.UUCP> Date: Thu, 9-Aug-84 16:43:16 EDT Article-I.D.: oddjob.371 Posted: Thu Aug 9 16:43:16 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 10-Aug-84 02:45:52 EDT Organization: U. Chicago: Astronomy & Astrophysics Lines: 62 <> I didn't realize that there were so many pedants on the net. I'm not sure if you are being obtuse on purpose or what. Ok, here goes: I did not say that *all* Americans were . I did not *mean* that all Americans were . It is obvious that there is no characteristic which is held by every member of a large group of people. However, it *is* possible to characterize a large group of people (especially when that large group of people makes up a country) by attitudes, traits and tendencies held by a majority of them. I *can* say that the U.S. is (or Americans are) and not imply that everyone holds this view. For example: (in the following, when a comparison is made or implied, I am only referring to first world countries) 1. Americans are right-of-centre. 2. Americans hate communism. (Hate may be too strong a word, but the U.S. is the only place I know where the word "communist" is meant as derogatory. I heard an American politician (Patrick Moynihan, I think) described as "Oh, he hates communism as much as the rest of us, but...". It is death to any politician to appear soft on communism. It is counter to the "American way".) 3. Americans put far more emphasis on "the right of the individual" than the "societal good". c.f. net.abortion, net.gun_control, net.dirty_cities, etc. (I can't believe how many people have said something like,"Well, at least *here* you have the right to say what you are saying. Hey, wake up! I have this same right in dozens of countries, not just yours.) 4. Americans are far more "nationalistic or patriotic" (I say jingoistic) than any other country. (I have never heard anyone in another country being attacked as "un-". It is an American concept.) 5. Americans believe that they live in the best country in the world; the most free, the most democratic, the fairest. 6. Americans know less about other countries than any other people. (I know that this is a bit strange, in view of (5), that is, how can someone believe their country to be the best, without knowing about other countries? see (7).) 7. Americans are very anti-intellectual; Americans read less than anyone else. (Well, that explains (6): (5) is based on faith and propaganda, not knowledge.) For the record, I have lived in Canada, Europe and the U.S. I have travelled extensively throughout Europe, Canada, the States and Mexico. If you want to flame me, let's have some intelligent arguments. (Actually, I welcome flames saying "If you don't like it, leave". They just support (4), (5), (6) and (7).) My second point is: why do people on the net believe that they are at all representative of the "average American"? Most people on the net are fairly liberal (I know it's a dirty word, but...); most people in the States are fairly conservative (Reagan was elected and will probably be re-elected). Most people on the net are middle class; most people in the States are working class. Some (I don't know what percentage) people on the net are fairly intellectual; most people in the States are not. Just take a look at the most popular TV shows (W.r.t. TV, I repeat my assertion: the networks give the people what they want to see. [see (7) above]). David London ..!ihnp4!oddjob!london P.S. To !ihnp4!ihuxb!crouch, thanx for your comments. I'll file them under (7) above. P.P.S. To DW @ ..!ihnp4!tellab1!heahd, no apology wanted, intelligent counter-arguments requested.