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Is it within the realm of possibility that the vast majority of Americans are in fact uneducated and misinformed about what daily life in China is like? Or eve

Is it within the realm of possibility that the vast majority of Americans are in fact uneducated and misinformed about what daily life in China is like? Or even the broad strokes of history there? What % of Americans could even tell you the names of the last 3 dynasties?

kickopotomus 7y ago
> What % of Americans could even tell you the names of the last 3 dynasties? What percent of Chinese could name the first 3 American Presidents? Who cares and how does that have anything to do with the modern political climate? The average American does not need to be aware of the country's history to disagree with the actions and posturing of the current government.
- yourbandsucks 7y ago
  I wouldn't say that Chinese should hold strong opinions on how we run our country, either. But for what it's worth, the average educated Chinese knows far more about America than vice-versa. These threads are great evidence.
- bllguo 7y ago
  You _absolutely_ should have an awareness of culture and history in order to offer meaningful criticism. Flip it around with gun control.. The rest of the world by-and-large does not agree with American gun policy. But how seriously are Americans going to take the criticism of people who don't have an understanding of American revolutionary history? If you actually care about effecting change you definitely need to understand the context.
  - kickopotomus 7y ago
    Sure, lets flip it around for gun control. The same argument applies. The rest of the developed world is absolutely correct not to agree with American gun policy. It's dangerously antiquated and has failed to adapt to changing times and improvements in technology. Other western countries have experienced revolutions and years of conflict far exceeding that of the US, yet the US is the only one to cling to guns so tightly. History is meant to be studied so that we do not repeat past mistakes. It is not meant to be used an excuse to continue to make them. Also, you absolutely do not need to be versed in Chinese history to disagree with forced organ harvesting, forced abortion, "re-education" (read internment) camps for Muslims, mass government surveillance, social credit systems, etc.

kickopotomus 7y ago

> What % of Americans could even tell you the names of the last 3 dynasties? What percent of Chinese could name the first 3 American Presidents? Who cares and how does that have anything to do with the modern political climate? The average American does not need to be aware of the country's history to disagree with the actions and posturing of the current government.

yourbandsucks 7y ago
I wouldn't say that Chinese should hold strong opinions on how we run our country, either. But for what it's worth, the average educated Chinese knows far more about America than vice-versa. These threads are great evidence.
bllguo 7y ago
You _absolutely_ should have an awareness of culture and history in order to offer meaningful criticism. Flip it around with gun control.. The rest of the world by-and-large does not agree with American gun policy. But how seriously are Americans going to take the criticism of people who don't have an understanding of American revolutionary history? If you actually care about effecting change you definitely need to understand the context.
- kickopotomus 7y ago
  Sure, lets flip it around for gun control. The same argument applies. The rest of the developed world is absolutely correct not to agree with American gun policy. It's dangerously antiquated and has failed to adapt to changing times and improvements in technology. Other western countries have experienced revolutions and years of conflict far exceeding that of the US, yet the US is the only one to cling to guns so tightly. History is meant to be studied so that we do not repeat past mistakes. It is not meant to be used an excuse to continue to make them. Also, you absolutely do not need to be versed in Chinese history to disagree with forced organ harvesting, forced abortion, "re-education" (read internment) camps for Muslims, mass government surveillance, social credit systems, etc.