| The United States is, overall, a stupid country |
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Asked 2 years ago
by mattx602  United States |
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About
I am a future Web and Game designer. I like to hike, play frisbee golf, draw graffiti, experiment with car audio, and I LOVE to use new computer technology.
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9 Points
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This comment was deleted.
[4 points] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyAll countries are essentially stupid.
All PEOPLE are essentially stupid.
I do not think all countries or all people are stupid all of the time. But have the capacity to do stupid things now and then.
I agree.
However, disclamers for such statements are as much fun as having to explain a joke. ;)
The level of religiosity in the US and the high proportion of creationists are bad signs. But they are perhaps outweighed by the healthy growth of 'climate change' scepticism.
All the US needs to do now is to withdraw from Afghanistan and the 'stupid' charge will be refuted.
That is a Bit Harsh !
Can I say Embaressing ? No I don't think it is my place to say that.
Um ! I'll say, "We all make mistakes" !
I would never say something like that. But close to every single American I see on TV come off as an immature, loudmouthed, uneducated ass. Why is that?
Do American media love idiots? Is the lowest common denominator lower in a big country than in smaller ones? Do well-balanced Americans make themselves less visible? Or is there really something wrong with American education and/or culture?
Whatever the reason is, why is this so?
First, ask yourself why you are watching American TV to begin with. Im guessing its because it is entertaining for one reason or another. The reason it is entertaining is because it usually portrays stupid people doing stupid things. If TV portrayed real Americans doing everyday normal things then NO ONE WOULD WATCH.
If your getting your opinion of Americans from TV then you should really get out a bit more. Should I also get my opinion of the English from the Benny Hill show or Austin Powers movies? Are all Germans evil like the ones depicted in the Indian Jones movies? Are all Wookiees as friendly as Chewbacca from Star Wars? Are all Swedes blond porn stars?
I'm not uncritical to media, as I tried to express in my comment. But I watch English, German and Swedish TV as well (to use your examples), and I compare. Neither of these media portray everyday people doing everyday things, but they still don't represent their nations like idiots (or at least not in the degree that American TV does).
I don't think Americans are stupid. But you do often come off that way in the media. If it's your TV stations who are at fault, they owe you an explanation.
I cant speak to which shows you are referring specifically but I will say that I have seen some very silly things come out of Europe as well. It is not the fault of the TV stations. What is on TV, for the most part, is market driven. The shows you see are apparently what people want to watch. If people don't watch them then they get canceled. However if that is a reflection on the intelligence of all Americans I would ask why you think those shows are popular in Europe as well?
Which shows? Talk shows and reality TV are the easiest examples, but sit coms, movies and so on also say a lot about what the TV studios think of ordinary Americans.
I'm NOT saying this is proof that Americans are idiots. I'm saying you come off that way and I wonder why. I realise the media are targeting the lowest common denominator, but I don't understand why that should be lower in the US than other places.
And again, what Im saying is that the same shows that are popular in the US are popular in Europe. Yes, we as a nation for some reason, enjoy stupidity. BUT Europe seems to enjoy the shows too because they are popular over there as well. So, my point is, the shows are just entertainment, its not depicting Americans, its depicting what Americans enjoy watching. Which apparently are the same things the Europeans enjoy watching. In effect it says no more about Americans liking these crappy shows than it does about Europeans liking them as well.
ok well american tv is probably the best tv u r going to watch in the world
That's your opinion. I guess you're their target audience.
Maybe it seems that way because we allow those who push fairy-tales into science classes free speech. But overall we are not stupid.
Tales not tails
Sure you're not a graduate of the Eveln Woohed sped redding crse
Thank you, I fixed it.
No, it just glorifies ignorance, and hates and mistrusts education.
But why?
I doubt it is a simple reason. I would think that studying U.S. history would shine a light on the matter.
And of course, TV. It makes you incapable of concerted intellectual effort, and so you tend to mistrust those who can do so.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/15/AR2008021502901.html
You might also read the book by the author of this article:
"The Age of American Unreason" Susan Jacoby. I have, and it is indeed thought-provoking.
"Such exaltations of ordinariness"
Intelligent and poignant. For some reason, the US produces some of the finest intellectuals as well as some of the more disturbing idiots of our time. At least you live in an exciting country.
Interesting article, I am not watching the news, in part because the format is unable to inform. (I will still watch documentaries from time to time)
I'm not sure it is entirlely fair to judge a nation by its TV. If it was one would conclude that Italy was populated by imbeciles. Which, of course, it is not.
I'm currently watching the first series of The Wire on DVD. Not sure what it says about the US but its good TV.
Its just like any other country. I has its ups an downs, and it might not exist forever.