January 11, 2007
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America’s NOT #1
The iPhone was announced today. I can’t believe I paid $500 for a Pocket PC phone 5 years ago, that broke within a year. I’m still reluctant to be an early adopter with this, as you know they’ll get better and cheaper (Can you believe my brother thinks it’s ugly?? What’s up with that??). I think it looks good. (Although the video phones they have in Asia are even cooler. If you’ve been to Tokyo recently, or you’ve seen the movie “Babel” you know what I’m talking about.) It sucks that America is so far behind with these technologies. I’ve often wondered why, and I think it’s because of the sheer size of our country. The bigger the country the longer it takes to build the infrastructure to support the technology. I believe that’s true of China as well (though the big cities probably have the infrastructure, and the small ones can’t even afford the technology). The text message craze in Asia was in full swing nearly 10 years ago, and it really didn’t catch on in America until the last couple of years. I remember buying my boss a new phone last Christmas, and sending him the first text message he ever received.
“This week at the big consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, Apple unveiled their first combination ipod and cell phone. They say their goal is to create the most annoying person ever to sit behind you in a movie theater.” — Jay Leno
Bill Maher has a great “New Rules” about how America must stop bragging that it is #1. I so agree with this. Not to sound unpatriotic, but if there’s anything my world travels have shown me (especially since 9/11) is how the rest of the world sees us. I’d like to think that I’m an ambassador for this country in some small way, but lately even my friends overseas have surprised me with random comments bashing America. Surely they can allow for the fact that just because I’m American, I don’t necessarily have to support my president’s foolish policies. (And yes, he is my president even though I never voted for him. You have to respect the office though. Admittedly 2008 can’t come soon enough!) I’m glad the opinion tide here in the US is turning regarding Iraq. It will be interesting to see the reaction to tonight’s State of the Union speech. In the meantime, enjoy this great video:
Here’s another video from Rain (Korean pop sensation, Jung Ji Hoon), just because I really like it, and Xanga doesn’t have him in their “Currently Listening” song list
Apparently he just canceled his concert in Bangkok because of some bombing on New Year’s Eve. This is a really slick video. Kind of evokes Michael Jackson when he was cool.
Comments (4)
America No.1? I assure you, if you haven’t been to Europe for a while, you will be deeply shocked of how Europeans think of the USA. I seriously cannot remember any news article from european press and media with any positive remarks towards the USA. Check the “comments” area of news articles concerning the USA or boards discussing US-related topics. The sentiment is always and expressively negative towards the USA. I’m sure many Americans have noticed that they are not so popular anymore in the world. What I think most of them have not realized though, is, how deep and wide the rift has become by now (from the european’s viewpoint). It will take a long long time and effort to mend, and I do hope to see it in my lifetime. I’m 31 – and I’m not kidding.
@da5id_de - You did see the title of the post right David? But then there’s this viewpoint: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1156589,00.html
@dezinerdreams – Some interesting cultural notes: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1156589,00.html
I like the Time Article. The author has a refreshingly and impressively unique take on analyzing America’s inner strength. And I agree with it. A nation’s advancements and achievements and their sustainability threreof lie in their culture. It is a culture of immense flexibility, that has made America a superpower and more important, has enabled them to remain it’s now sole superpower status. So, no question, when it comes to inner strength, the US are No. 1 and the author has my respect for his analysis. What I criticise though, is, the tone of his article. The author is quite full of himself.
My comment on your post didn’t refer to America’s inner strength, though. For that is in my eyes undisputed. I was referring to America’s responsibility as “moral” leader. My criticism lies in the way America recently has been imposing its values to other cultures. Most notably the US’ strategy to promote ”democracy” – by force, if necessary - automatically assuming that “democracy” naturally is a must have for every nation, every culture and that therefore the goal justifies the means – any means in the name of democracy. In my democratic eyes this is a fundemental antagonism. In a democratic society it should be the other around: The goal does not justify the means. It is only one footprint in a series of steps that has become an alarming tendency towards hollowing out America’s democratic structure. I do understand the need of security measures in a time of war. War has the inevitable effect of taking priority over democracy. No problem, once war is finished, democracy takes its place again. So, we only have to wait until the ”War on terrorism” is over…
Imagine a country pre-emptively waging war on fishy arguments, which turn out to be fishy, so then later labelling it as liberating act from tyranny and ”bringing democracy and freedom”, while the first thing troops did was seizing and securing the oil ministry and the oil fields, even before the enemy’s surrender. Abu Ghraib, Gitmo, secret torture facilities in Europe, Plamegate, PATRIOT Act, forcing European Airlines to break European Constitutional Law, Kyoto protocol and and and.
Sure, the US are No.1, but they have relinquished the title of being called leader of the “free world”.
@da5id_de - OK David, then we are definitely on the same page! Let’s just keep our fingers crossed that things change after January!