Americans and self-irony
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I saw a discussion in one Russian blog where people discussed an educational TV program where children were asked to think about positive and negative sides of Russians. Some critics said that Americans would never allow themselves to talk about their common negative habits. I don't think that such generalization is good in principle, but I also think that Americans are quite open to self-irony on TV and in the press. They just combine it well with patriotic feelings. So do you also think it's just a stereotype (common in some countries) that Americans lack a sense of self-irony and self-criticism, or do you think this has some grounds? Вагиф Абилов MCP (Visual C++) Oslo, Norway If you're in a war, instead of throwing a hand grenade at the enemy, throw one of those small pumpkins. Maybe it'll make everyone think how stupid war is, and while they are thinking, you can throw a real grenade at them. Jack Handey.
Soapbox topic. ------- sig starts "I've heard some drivers saying, 'We're going too fast here...'. If you're not here to race, go the hell home - don't come here and grumble about going too fast. Why don't you tie a kerosene rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt "...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001
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I don't know about self introspection, although I would believe they are as good if not more (due to easier access to intellectual material). For general critic about their country in general I believe they do critic themselves a lot, for example at least 49.8% of American dislike Bush, think Farhenheint somethin.. (you know this movie against Bush...). On a less positive note I also believe that Bush administration is quite bully on critic, such as Sheean (can't remember the name of this peace activist) who was arrested at a public meeting (where she had been invited by the speaker!) because of a TShirt she was wearing!
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I saw a discussion in one Russian blog where people discussed an educational TV program where children were asked to think about positive and negative sides of Russians. Some critics said that Americans would never allow themselves to talk about their common negative habits. I don't think that such generalization is good in principle, but I also think that Americans are quite open to self-irony on TV and in the press. They just combine it well with patriotic feelings. So do you also think it's just a stereotype (common in some countries) that Americans lack a sense of self-irony and self-criticism, or do you think this has some grounds? Вагиф Абилов MCP (Visual C++) Oslo, Norway If you're in a war, instead of throwing a hand grenade at the enemy, throw one of those small pumpkins. Maybe it'll make everyone think how stupid war is, and while they are thinking, you can throw a real grenade at them. Jack Handey.
Americans are extremely self-critical. It's hard not to be when you live in such a diverse country because there are many different groups and subcultures. Liberal Americans bash conservative Americans. Atheists bash Christians. Bush's approval rating is 36% right now (and Cheney's is 18%). We often view ourselves as too spendthrift and fiscally irresponsible, but we're all proud of our cars and houses. Watch our media, and you'll discover perpetual complaints about the way we act as a whole. Talk to an American and you'll discover that they're quick to criticize America's faults. America is composed of very diverse opinions and, while we're patriotic and proud, we're never afraid to openly admit when and where we're wrong. When you see otherwise, it's usually because we're circling the wagons to defend eachother from an outside body's criticisms (as in from the UN).
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Americans are extremely self-critical. It's hard not to be when you live in such a diverse country because there are many different groups and subcultures. Liberal Americans bash conservative Americans. Atheists bash Christians. Bush's approval rating is 36% right now (and Cheney's is 18%). We often view ourselves as too spendthrift and fiscally irresponsible, but we're all proud of our cars and houses. Watch our media, and you'll discover perpetual complaints about the way we act as a whole. Talk to an American and you'll discover that they're quick to criticize America's faults. America is composed of very diverse opinions and, while we're patriotic and proud, we're never afraid to openly admit when and where we're wrong. When you see otherwise, it's usually because we're circling the wagons to defend eachother from an outside body's criticisms (as in from the UN).
espeir wrote:
Talk to an American and you'll discover that they're quick to criticize America's faults.
Americans all have one thing in common: each one thinks s/he is the best driver on the road.
"Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed." - Mark Twain
"There is no death, only a change of worlds." - Native American Proverb
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I saw a discussion in one Russian blog where people discussed an educational TV program where children were asked to think about positive and negative sides of Russians. Some critics said that Americans would never allow themselves to talk about their common negative habits. I don't think that such generalization is good in principle, but I also think that Americans are quite open to self-irony on TV and in the press. They just combine it well with patriotic feelings. So do you also think it's just a stereotype (common in some countries) that Americans lack a sense of self-irony and self-criticism, or do you think this has some grounds? Вагиф Абилов MCP (Visual C++) Oslo, Norway If you're in a war, instead of throwing a hand grenade at the enemy, throw one of those small pumpkins. Maybe it'll make everyone think how stupid war is, and while they are thinking, you can throw a real grenade at them. Jack Handey.
There is a subtle differnce here: we don't introspect as a race, but as a nation, an institution, and a society. Usually the question would not be to think about the positive and negatives of Americans, but to think about the positives and negatives of America and ways we can be better as a nation. So, yes, it is true that we don't see ourselves as one race, or one religion, or one whatever as many nations can. I know a lot of people miss that subtlety, but it is a sublety that manifests itself as one of the bedrocks of America's greatest strengths and most fierce inner struggles. At least that is my take on it. My Programming Library C#, C# Run
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I saw a discussion in one Russian blog where people discussed an educational TV program where children were asked to think about positive and negative sides of Russians. Some critics said that Americans would never allow themselves to talk about their common negative habits. I don't think that such generalization is good in principle, but I also think that Americans are quite open to self-irony on TV and in the press. They just combine it well with patriotic feelings. So do you also think it's just a stereotype (common in some countries) that Americans lack a sense of self-irony and self-criticism, or do you think this has some grounds? Вагиф Абилов MCP (Visual C++) Oslo, Norway If you're in a war, instead of throwing a hand grenade at the enemy, throw one of those small pumpkins. Maybe it'll make everyone think how stupid war is, and while they are thinking, you can throw a real grenade at them. Jack Handey.
The patriotism and pride overshadow the constant internal criticism going on when viewing from the outside. Sort of like keeping family business within the family. Just listen to talk radio, watch talk shows, read opinion pieces in magazines and blogs, from US citizens and you'll notice a constant criticism of what we are doing and where we are going. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wright -
espeir wrote:
Talk to an American and you'll discover that they're quick to criticize America's faults.
Americans all have one thing in common: each one thinks s/he is the best driver on the road.
"Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed." - Mark Twain
"There is no death, only a change of worlds." - Native American Proverb
I am the best driver in the world, everyone else is deluded. :) Gary Kirkham Forever Forgiven and Alive in the Spirit He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot Me blog, You read
