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Fuel the Enlightenment

Anti-Americanism vs. American Ignorance

World Affairs Council: Washington DC
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MTGRAY Avatar
MTGRAY
Posts: 102
Posted: 09.16.09, 02:37 PM
This loyalist has no idea of North America History or the 280 millions of peoples living here.
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heygbradio Avatar
heygbradio
Posts: 5
Posted: 09.19.09, 08:16 PM
Trying to view the video. Seems like an interesting topic. I will have to listen to it later.
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iamwigglypiggy Avatar
iamwigglypiggy
Posts: 1
Posted: 10.27.09, 07:02 AM
Interesting speech. From his presentation I come to the opposite conclusion however. I speak the same language as people as far as a thousand miles away. Europians maintain there own language and only speak a second language as a function of practicality. I accept all types of customs when dealing with foreigners. More often it is visitors here that see me as lacking their refinement. I see Americans as very tolerant and far more caring about the plights of people around the world. I might not know all of the middle eastern countries by name but then those people probably don't know what state lies between Texas and Arizona. Comparisons can not always be one for one. Never the less, not a bad video.
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Am-Expat Avatar
Am-Expat
Posts: 8
Posted: 10.29.09, 09:44 AM
I think you mistake distance for cultural divisions. Yes, Europeans generally know more than one language but often it is not just the language next door.
His questioning the claims of the USSR about foreign service officers knowing the language of the countries they work in is a good case in point, and points a spotlight on the shallowness of his preparation. It was absolutely true, still is. Russia is MUCH larger in land mass than the US so your theory would have them more isolated and less aware of foreign cultures if your theory is true. But as an American living in Russia I can verify that these people know a lot about the world, even back in the Soviet era and are very likely to have formally studied foreign languages. Ask anyone random person walking down the street for a rough synopsis of an American or French author's classic book they will be able to give it. Or ask for the capitol of some obscure country and the majority will know. The difference in world awareness of Europeans, Scandinavians, Chinese, Japanese etc and Americans is breathtaking and embarrassing.
Education here is important so serious classes start early, math, languages, science and the arts are studied from early grades. English is started in the 2 grade for example.

I work in the incoming tourism industry and host a lot of Americans during the summer. Our guides who are all fluent in several languages comment how they have to refrain from using more complex words with Americans to prevent misunderstanding. These for the most part are considered "educated" people with law, medical or engineering careers. An education in the US apparently is now geared towards work tasks rather than being generally educated. I am constantly called upon to defend my countrymen but there is really no defense for ignorance in a person who has an advanced degree, or even an uneducated competent adult or voter.

We make very poor trade, foreign policy and ethical choices when the mass of the population is so ignorant and so easily swayed by propaganda. The greatest national security threat to the US is our ignorance, a willful unapologetic ignorance, where dumb is considered a virtue as in no where else in the world that I have seen....86 countries so far. How can decisions about policy be decided on with care and wisdom when people are just so clueless? All current US problems stem from that.
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