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I think that the root of the problem is that most of Google's core services developer are Americans, with American cultural peculiarities. Correct me if I am w
by atemerev 10y ago
I think that the root of the problem is that most of Google's core services developer are Americans, with American cultural peculiarities.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think that for an average American, moving to another country is something that less than 1% of population does, and it is like once a lifetime event.
Here in Europe, on the contrary, it is relatively common to stumble upon a German guy living in France, or a Brit living in Germany, or any combination whatsoever, and many are changing their place of living more than once, especially in the academic environment (I have 5 residence cards of different European countries).
The same goes with the localization approach. Google or Apple always want to give me services in the language of the country I currently live in, instead of remembering my priority language (English, even if I am not a native speaker), and sticking with it, even if I am now in Spain or Italy.
Changing countries is really common in Europe. Probably we need more European companies in the Internet space to adapt to our way of living.
- vram22 10y agoInsightful comment ...
- rconti 10y agoI'm not sure I'd call it an "American cultural peculiarity". I imagine it's much the same in other physically large countries. It's also a consequence of immigration/residence policy. Even before the EU, I'm sure it was quite a bit easier to get residence in another European country as a European, vs as an American or Mexican or South African.
- atemerev 10y agoWell, I am Russian now living in Switzerland (and occasionally Spain) who used to live in Denmark and Italy before. Casual, matter-of-fact immigration is a fact of life these days.
- atemerev 10y agoPhysically large countries: Russia, China, Brazil, US, Canada, India. Of those, only US and Russia have this peculiarity.
- mjevans 10y agoFrom the US perspective, the EU is a lot more like 'the US' and individual 'EU member countries' are more like 'states'. I happen to view the EU as a slow-motion process of converting Europe in to one 'super nation' just like the US eventually became (remember, it was originally 13 distinct colonies). Ultimately I believe the preferable goal is one world government. A government which would only exist to ensure a few common rights/laws were common, and for leadership should any life not of commonly terrestrial origin appears which doesn't cause an extinction event. (Trying to phrase that to include AI, artificial biological life, and actual aliens.)
- merpnderp 10y agoWe only need one good solar flare similar to one we had 150 years ago to end modern civilization.
- atemerev 10y agoI don't think so. It will be spectacular, and will cause great havoc, but in 1-2 years, most of critical infrastructure should be restored. We humans are like cockroaches when it comes to survival.
- merpnderp 10y ago1-2 years without critical infrastructure and you think the billions in big cities entirely dependent on next day deliveries of groceries and without access to fresh water for miles wouldn't descend into some post-apocalyptic warlord movie with 90% of them dead?
- atemerev 10y agoWe survived World War II, with similar conditions throughout all Europe.