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"I think there's a real danger, no doubt. But the end of carriers? All carriers are rotting scrap heaps? Please. That's a lot of yelling and attention-seeking b

by Rod 18y ago

"I think there's a real danger, no doubt. But the end of carriers? All carriers are rotting scrap heaps? Please. That's a lot of yelling and attention-seeking blogging, not serious analysis." I wholeheartedly agree. In my most humble opinion, an emerging fad is to announce the collapse of all things American. This meme has been gaining momentum for years. Now we hear stories like: - the U.S. dollar will soon be worthless and the American economy will collapse. - the U.S. will disintegrate into a bunch of smaller countries. - all American technical jobs will move overseas, mainly to India and (guess what?) China! - the U.S. Military is at its most vulnerable point in History. I will believe in doomsday scenarios when I have the numbers to analyze. Like John McCarthy once said: "He who refuses to do arithmetic is doomed to talk nonsense."

sho 18y ago
While I agree to a point, I would like to add that this meme has not sprung spontaeneously from a vacuum - in my opinion, it is a fairly well-deserved reaction to American hubris on a wide spectrum. One only need turn on Fox News for a few minutes to hear the familiar "I believe America is the greatest nation on earth", "greatest country on earth", "greatest nation in history" - you may not personally be a fan of Fox News but the fact remains it is the most popular news network in the USA, so must be considered to have some representative credibility - or if you don't believe that, just listen to George W. Bush's similar words. As a native of another country, I can attest to the laughter, then annoyance, then sneering cynicism about all things American such oft-repeated nonsense provokes. And I am far from anti-American. I don't personally believe that America is headed inevitably for ruin and poverty, but its post-WWII shine is definitely wearing off as it takes its more rightful place as just another country - a big, rich, successful country mind you, but not the God-appointed Country of Countries in the minds of the "Greatest, Free-est, best nation on earth" crowd. It's not hard to understand the schadenfreude this inspires as the hubristic boosterism drifts yet further from reality. Everyone hates a braggart. Everyone rejoices, at some level, when the braggart is shown up to be the vain fool he always was. There's an element to this in the meme you describe, I think.
- DanielBMarkham 18y ago
  Something was bugging me about this comment. I think this is it: Everyone hates a braggart Why would I hate a braggart? I could care less about people bragging about their stuff -- cars, clothes, country, whatever. The only reason I would hate a braggart is, unfortunately for this context, if I felt inferior to them. But otherwise, who cares? They're just a bore. Lots of people are bores, about all kinds of things. I don't wish them any ill or harm, and I would not rejoice to see them brought down. I just find better things to do than hang out with them. That is, once again, unless I felt that they had something I really needed or envied. I guess that's the rub, huh. EDIT: I'm very sorry if my comment seems rude. I'm sure there's a better way to say what I wanted. I just didn't want the idea that hating people who brag was somehow a normal or acceptable thing to do. It's not. I say -- let braggarts be braggarts. At least they seem happy about whatever they feel so superior about.
  - rdouble 18y ago
    Everyone hates a braggart It's a cultural thing. Scandinavians and Australians in particular hate braggarts and even have phrases for this cultural tendency: janteloven and tall-poppy syndrome. Other cultures have responses for the boastful which range from eye-rolling and groans (UK) to active encouragement (NBA, pro boxers, battle rappers).
    - sho 18y ago
      Haha, right on. Native Australian here : )
  - sho 18y ago
    Braggart is perhaps the wrong word, but I couldn't think of a more suitable one - perhaps you can pick up the gist from the rest of the comment. There's some truth in what you say, of course, and I agree envy would also be a factor, especially coming from citizens of, say, Iran, or whereever. Your textbook love/hate relationship there. However, when said "braggart" is in possession of the largest military in the world, and is inclined towards its enthusiastic use, ignoring them is not really an option. I am talking about, of course, the Iraq war, whose justification really boils down to "because we're America, and we can do whatever we want, and we feel like doing this". Who cares? Everyone who does not like the idea of one country invading others at whim, that's who, anyone who respects life. It is hard to overstate the loss in prestige, in basic respect, the Iraq war has precipitated for America. Anyway, not trying to endorse this view, just trying to explain it to the GP.

by Rod 18y ago

sho 18y ago

While I agree to a point, I would like to add that this meme has not sprung spontaeneously from a vacuum - in my opinion, it is a fairly well-deserved reaction to American hubris on a wide spectrum. One only need turn on Fox News for a few minutes to hear the familiar "I believe America is the greatest nation on earth", "greatest country on earth", "greatest nation in history" - you may not personally be a fan of Fox News but the fact remains it is the most popular news network in the USA, so must be considered to have some representative credibility - or if you don't believe that, just listen to George W. Bush's similar words. As a native of another country, I can attest to the laughter, then annoyance, then sneering cynicism about all things American such oft-repeated nonsense provokes. And I am far from anti-American. I don't personally believe that America is headed inevitably for ruin and poverty, but its post-WWII shine is definitely wearing off as it takes its more rightful place as just another country - a big, rich, successful country mind you, but not the God-appointed Country of Countries in the minds of the "Greatest, Free-est, best nation on earth" crowd. It's not hard to understand the schadenfreude this inspires as the hubristic boosterism drifts yet further from reality. Everyone hates a braggart. Everyone rejoices, at some level, when the braggart is shown up to be the vain fool he always was. There's an element to this in the meme you describe, I think.

DanielBMarkham 18y ago
Something was bugging me about this comment. I think this is it: Everyone hates a braggart Why would I hate a braggart? I could care less about people bragging about their stuff -- cars, clothes, country, whatever. The only reason I would hate a braggart is, unfortunately for this context, if I felt inferior to them. But otherwise, who cares? They're just a bore. Lots of people are bores, about all kinds of things. I don't wish them any ill or harm, and I would not rejoice to see them brought down. I just find better things to do than hang out with them. That is, once again, unless I felt that they had something I really needed or envied. I guess that's the rub, huh. EDIT: I'm very sorry if my comment seems rude. I'm sure there's a better way to say what I wanted. I just didn't want the idea that hating people who brag was somehow a normal or acceptable thing to do. It's not. I say -- let braggarts be braggarts. At least they seem happy about whatever they feel so superior about.
- rdouble 18y ago
  Everyone hates a braggart It's a cultural thing. Scandinavians and Australians in particular hate braggarts and even have phrases for this cultural tendency: janteloven and tall-poppy syndrome. Other cultures have responses for the boastful which range from eye-rolling and groans (UK) to active encouragement (NBA, pro boxers, battle rappers).
  - sho 18y ago
    Haha, right on. Native Australian here : )
- sho 18y ago
  Braggart is perhaps the wrong word, but I couldn't think of a more suitable one - perhaps you can pick up the gist from the rest of the comment. There's some truth in what you say, of course, and I agree envy would also be a factor, especially coming from citizens of, say, Iran, or whereever. Your textbook love/hate relationship there. However, when said "braggart" is in possession of the largest military in the world, and is inclined towards its enthusiastic use, ignoring them is not really an option. I am talking about, of course, the Iraq war, whose justification really boils down to "because we're America, and we can do whatever we want, and we feel like doing this". Who cares? Everyone who does not like the idea of one country invading others at whim, that's who, anyone who respects life. It is hard to overstate the loss in prestige, in basic respect, the Iraq war has precipitated for America. Anyway, not trying to endorse this view, just trying to explain it to the GP.