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Ah I see, you were more focused on the utility of our infrastructure than our individual skill sets and knowledge. My points do help my argument, but from a dif

Ah I see, you were more focused on the utility of our infrastructure than our individual skill sets and knowledge. My points do help my argument, but from a different point of view than you were arguing from. And obesity rates are not irrelevant; they demonstrate how able people are to keep surviving, both mentally and physically. I think if a governmental collapse occurred in the US, 60-70% of the US population would be dead within 5 years. The major population centers entirely dependent on government infrastructure, regardless of how close to the "frontier" they live. Yes, there is much farmland here, but it is very reliant on water and equipment that only come from a functional economy. I was a bit hasty in my first comment; I read your argument as "the US is made of frontiersmen, they tamed the continent, and they are hardier and more skilled at survival for it." At this point it is apparent that was not your intent, and I do agree that we'd be better off than many places. One county in the Americas that would do a lot better is Mexico though; full of off-the-grid peoples who are fully self sufficient and happy to be so. Much of the US is just functional because of money.

captainredbeard 7y ago
Mexico is only functional because of US money. The US would rebuild but Mexico can barely function even under normal circumstances.
jariel 7y ago
"you were more focused on the utility of our infrastructure than our individual skill sets and knowledge." No, I'm focused on the individualist/self-sufficient mentality of Americans, due to their history of being on the frontier, and very remote rural areas. Sometimes this mentality exhibits itself in material behavior, i.e. building isolated plumbing/water/sewage systems. Owning tractors and such machinery for working around the large plot. Sometimes the mentality is expressed in behaviour that is really irrelevant, like buying SUVs or Trucks that are not needed and uses for 'status'. Sometimes it's purely ideological, like voting for a Republican when such individuals might be better served by a specific social policy. Sometimes it's both - like 'gun laws'. Prevalence of guns makes them easily available to idiots leading to more gun violence. But it also theoretically might save you in a specific circumstance, and, there's that whole thing about 'tyrannical governments'. The 'attitude' definitely exists.

captainredbeard 7y ago

Mexico is only functional because of US money. The US would rebuild but Mexico can barely function even under normal circumstances.

jariel 7y ago

"you were more focused on the utility of our infrastructure than our individual skill sets and knowledge." No, I'm focused on the individualist/self-sufficient mentality of Americans, due to their history of being on the frontier, and very remote rural areas. Sometimes this mentality exhibits itself in material behavior, i.e. building isolated plumbing/water/sewage systems. Owning tractors and such machinery for working around the large plot. Sometimes the mentality is expressed in behaviour that is really irrelevant, like buying SUVs or Trucks that are not needed and uses for 'status'. Sometimes it's purely ideological, like voting for a Republican when such individuals might be better served by a specific social policy. Sometimes it's both - like 'gun laws'. Prevalence of guns makes them easily available to idiots leading to more gun violence. But it also theoretically might save you in a specific circumstance, and, there's that whole thing about 'tyrannical governments'. The 'attitude' definitely exists.