From: Ian Jacobs (ij@w3.org)
Date: Mon Feb 28 2000 - 07:21:17 PST
ThosStew@aol.com wrote:
>
> In a message dated 2/28/2000 8:39:07 AM, Grlygrl201@aol.com writes:
>
> >
> ><< You can blame Americans for being too compassionate, and trying too
> >hard to
> > impose their morality, values, and economy on everyone else.
> >
> > You can blame Americans for being too selfish, and exploiting everyone
> >in
> > the world and not caring what happens to them.
> >
> > What really surprises me is how many people seem to blame America for
> >both >>
> >
>
> They simply are twin manifestations (with similar language, different
> connotations) of a solipsistic sense that we're better--one that has some
> basis in fact, which makes it harder for us to shake and others to take.
I have a difficult time saying one country is better than another. I am
more
comfortable saying that one country exhibits more or less of some
quality than
another country, but such statements still seem to me to be so broad as
to
have only anectdotal value (e.g., over beers when travelling and meeting
people).
Do you think that people in the US think *more often* that the US is
better
than other countries, or do people around think that about their own
countries
and people in the US are more visible/vocal? "Blame" is a manifestation
of the
same quality in the blamers - a sense of superiority.
I don't think the US is alone in history in imposing its values,
language, culture, etc. through its economic strength. Or being imitated
for
the same reasons of visibility, perceived strength (and attendant
weaknesses).
Should other countries/unions regulate the influence of that culture
(e.g., in
France requiring radio stations to play a certain percentage of French
music)?
_ Ian
-- Ian Jacobs (jacobs@w3.org) http://www.w3.org/People/Jacobs Tel/Fax: +1 212 684-1814 or 212 532-4767 Cell: +1 917 450-8783
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