Why Is Everyone So "fascinated" With The US?

UAL747 · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:17 am

Take a step back and look at all the threads that have been posted in the non-aviation forum that deal with the United States and it's politics. There are numerous discussions up and down this forum. No other thread seems to have quite the same impact on our a.net than ones that deal with the United States. You hardly ever hear political threads that deal with other nations unless it has something to do with the US.

I theorize that there is a dynamic that the US has that fascinates people. First of all, the US probably has the most intense media coverage of any nation in the world. We are the most dominant military force and economic force in the world. There seems to be a growing focus on EVERYTHING that the US does.

So, for those who are not US citizens, why all the focus on the US?

For those who are US citizens, feel free to give your theories as well.

UAL747

DIJKKIJK · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:20 am

Quoting UAL747 (Thread starter):
So, for those who are not US citizens, why all the focus on the US?

you don't kick a dead dog, do you, mate?

Wink

[Edited 2005-03-15 18:20:52]

JUANR · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:29 am

I would not use the word fascinated, I am certainly not fascinated with the US at all, I admire some of the things they've achieved but I hate a lot of their policies and their life style. The focus on the US is because they have managed to become a necessary support for almost every country in the world and it is more related with fear to a "tit-for-that" than with fascination.

Juan
SKBO

N5176Y · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:30 am

Because, we are so much cooler than all those euro-weenies. Smile

Banco · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:31 am

Americans form by far the largest contingent of members here. Therefore much of what is discussed will be US-centric.

A great many of the threads that are to do with the US are solely to do with the US, involving people that the rest of us have never heard of.

There are many threads like that about other countries, but americans aren't likely to enter those for exactly the same reason we wouldn't enter the US versions of the same.

curlyheadboy · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:33 am

Well, US politics have consequences on my everyday life, from the price of the goods that I buy to the conflicts my country is involved in. So, I am quite interested in what you guys do overseas...

ArmitageShanks · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:35 am

W3 PWN th3 w04ld!!

America = 1337

JGPH1A · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:36 am

Quoting N5176Y (Reply 6):
Because, we are so much cooler than all those euro-weenies

Us Euroweenies just sit here and bask smugly in the cosy glow of our vast cultural superiority Smile

BA380 · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:37 am

N5176Y - "Because, we are so much cooler than all those euro-weenies. "

I presume you are including the UK in this....? In which case, don't ask for our help next time... Wink

MYT332 · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:38 am

Quoting ArmitageShanks (Reply 9):
America = 1337

It's really sad you still use that shit. Get with the times.

JGPH1A, you're so right. Big grin

Kieron747 · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:46 am

Quoting Banco (Reply 7):
Americans form by far the largest contingent of members here. Therefore much of what is discussed will be US-centric.

I agree, I think there simply seems to be many more discussions about the US because there are so many American A.Netters.
You'll notice that for example, if there is a UK specific thread its usually mentioned in the title...
For Those In The UK: Abortion (by [email protected] Mar 15 2005 in Non Aviation) UK: Speed Cameras - Have You Been Caught? (by RobK Mar 12 2005 in Non Aviation) UK School Run (by Orion737 Mar 7 2005 in Non Aviation) Help Needed: Dial-up Internet In UK (by Dirkou Mar 2 2005 in Non Aviation) Fundamentalist Religious Terrorism In The UK (by 777236ER Mar 2 2005 in Non Aviation)

I would hardly say the everyone is "fascinated" with the US. There are many Americans on the forum, and America plays an important (if not controversial) part in world affairs.

Although to be honest, I personally sometimes find it hard to follow US threads with a political theme. There are quite a few of them, and even ones that aren't political soon descend into a shit slinging match between people of different political affiliations.

Kieron747

babybus · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:54 am

Are they? Show them to us cos I ain't seen anyone.

It occured to me watching tv the other night, you don't have to plug something that is popular.

JOSEMEX · Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:11 am

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 7):
our vast cultural superiority

Like the Eurovision song contest, for instance? Big grin

tbar220 · Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:25 am

Quoting ArmitageShanks (Reply 6):
W3 PWN th3 w04ld!!

America = 1337

That was hysterical rotfl

aloges · Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:25 am

Quoting JoseMEX (Reply 12):
Like the Eurovision song contest, for instance?

Well, nobody's taking that seriously anymore... unlike MTV. Wink

Banco · Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:29 am

Quoting JoseMEX (Reply 12):
Like the Eurovision song contest, for instance?

Precisely. An expression of ironic post-modernism that only the truly culturally aware recorgnise. I bet you think it's just crappy Europap, don't you? Wink

NoUFO · Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:40 am

Quoting UAL747 (Thread starter):
So, for those who are not US citizens, why all the focus on the US?

Wrong question. After reading half of the thread titles, I counted eight threads concerning the U.S., but only two of the thread straters were non-Americans and both basically referred to tourism.

lowrider · Wed Mar 16, 2005 6:10 am

Because the US is a great big easy target.

QANTASforever · Wed Mar 16, 2005 6:20 am

Quoting UAL747 (Thread starter):
You hardly ever hear political threads that deal with other nations unless it has something to do with the US.

lol You've obviously never come across certain threads for which I am notoriously ruthless.

Quoting Lowrider (Reply 17):
Because the US is a great big easy target.

Yep - poor old you, poor bloody you. Geez - if there is one thing I cannot stand it is self-victimisation.

Anyway - as for this thread.
The US has a large impact culturally and economically as well as politically. However I think it would be quite reasonable to say that a lot of naval gazing goes on in here with US members basically chatting (fighting) about US politics.

When it comes to those threads I choose not to participate (along with a lot of non-american members here) because frankly, I just don't care about your domestic politics usually, although there are certain exceptions.

QFF

September11 · Wed Mar 16, 2005 6:21 am

United States is younger country compared to other countries.

dba4u · Wed Mar 16, 2005 6:34 am

Ya see, at least most people out in the world take a look at what happens in the US!!! I think you Americans should start to care about your own country as much as we do, so that maybe the day will come when you'll realize what kind of sh*t is going on with your government! Maybe not as extensive as us Germans (Germans ask way to much...) but a little bit more interest would be fine. Maybe then some of you will realize that not everybody wearing a beard is a terrorist and that you've got by far enough problems in your own country to care!
And in addition one has to say that many things YOU decide have a more or less big impact on US. YOU don't feel safe, so WE have to improve security? What's that? Kinda strange huh? If you've got fear of being bombed by some crazy terrorist just save yourself... Just imagine if a little European country comes up to you with a really stupid request from which you won't have any profits... You'll just start to laugh, right? But the other way around it has to work? That's something that really drives me crazy.

Even if it doesn't sound so I love the Americans, simply because they are taking things much easier then most Europeans, and just too many people over here say "the Americans" if they mean the current regime in the US, I hate that as much as the blindness of big parts of the American population

For me the US are everything but Fascinating, it just makes me angry to see how blind some Americans are (I said SOME!)... I'm thinking of doing my pilots license in the US anyway! Why? Not because the US are fascinating me, but since the states are my future! And I'll go the place where my future is!

Now, before you start flaming me, just read this post once again and think a bit... Just a little bit, if there isn't a bit of truth within....

mdsh00 · Wed Mar 16, 2005 6:43 am

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that us American users are in the majority on this site. That way, it makes it look like all the posts in non-av deal with the US. As we fight among ourselves about domestic politics, so do the others.

Haven't all of you noticed that there is barely a peep from Americans on the EU or no-EU threads? Those are all mostly Brits vs. European bashing threads.

Outisde of A.net it probably is America's large sphere of influence that makes others outside more curious to know what is going on.

Quoting ArmitageShanks (Reply 6):
W3 PWN th3 w04ld!!

America = 1337

haha! 3ur0p3 is teh sux0r Wink

AlekToronto · Wed Mar 16, 2005 6:53 am

people are people. Maybe just the fact that there are so many US members here? Maybe because the Euros and Canucks find it easier to pick on an easy target like the US then to look at what is going wrong in our countries?
It is easier to criticize and review another country or people than look at your own - as for the Americans - it is not their fault they are somewhat internationally ignorant - that is their education and media at play.
cheers
Alek

aloges · Wed Mar 16, 2005 7:35 am

One thing that truly amazes me is how many Americans get so emotional about their flag, anthem and whatever symbol, as seen in the "Teacher Flips Out..." thread. I don't think this kind of thing would happen anywhere else in the world, simply because no other people hold their flag in a similar regard.

N5176Y · Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:01 am

Quoting BA380 (Reply 8):
N5176Y - "Because, we are so much cooler than all those euro-weenies. "

I presume you are including the UK in this....? In which case, don't ask for our help next time...

ABSOLUTELY NOT! I would never offend my British friends by calling them "euro". Weenies? maybe.

Russophile · Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:47 am

Quoting ArmitageShanks (Reply 6):
America = 1337

For those who don't know.....

Often misused to satisfy a lamen's ego, the self-proclaimed 1337 will misuse the title, pretending to hold Xtr3m H4x0r capabilties while in fact masturbating to preteen beastiality at 2:00 AM with baggy eyes; anonymously hassling n00b's with better things to do than kill their babies over mindrot such as Everquest and Warcraft. See also "colon debris" and "queefstain"

NorskMan · Wed Mar 16, 2005 10:03 am

Fascinated with the US?

LOL

Boeing7E7 · Wed Mar 16, 2005 10:06 am

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 7):
Us Euroweenies just sit here and bask smugly in the cosy glow of our vast cultural superiority

If that's the case, I feel sorry for you. You're hardly culturally superior.

KYIPpilot · Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:25 am

Quoting Boeing7E7 (Reply 27):
If that's the case, I feel sorry for you. You're hardly culturally superior.

Boeing, our culture focuses on SUV's, who has the biggest house, what are the celebs doing, fast food, reality TV, plastic surgury, and the newest and most expensive trends. Pretty stupid and shallow if you ask me. I try very hard not to support any of this crap.

Back to the main question. I think everyone is focused on the US because it seems that everything we do has an impact on the rest of the world, whether it be socially, economically, or militarily.

daedaeg · Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:34 am

Why Is Everyone So "fascinated" With The US?
Because we're cool. Cool

You must not have gotten the memo.

N5176Y · Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:37 am

Quoting KYIPpilot (Reply 28):
Boeing, our culture focuses on SUV's, who has the biggest house, what are the celebs doing, fast food, reality TV, plastic surgury, and the newest and most expensive trends. Pretty stupid and shallow if you ask me. I try very hard not to support any of this crap.

And modern European "culture" focuses on what??

lowrider · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:04 pm

Quoting QANTASFOREVER (Reply 18):
Yep - poor old you, poor bloody you. Geez - if there is one thing I cannot stand it is self-victimisation.

It has nothing to do with self victimization and everything to do with availability of information. For some reason, we, as a culture, seem to love to broadcast our faults and failings to all who will listen. We make ourselves a huge target. We transmit the worst of our culture, our leaders, and our flaws to the world via news, internet, and print media. I am not at all satisfied with the face we present to the world. As for self-victimization, don't project your own shortcomings on to me. I am not a victim of anything.

Boeing7E7 · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:27 pm

Quoting KYIPpilot (Reply 28):
Boeing, our culture focuses on SUV's, who has the biggest house, what are the celebs doing, fast food, reality TV, plastic surgury, and the newest and most expensive trends. Pretty stupid and shallow if you ask me. I try very hard not to support any of this crap.

Is that what you think, or is that what the rest of the world would like you to think? It's not what I or a majority of American's are concerned with. Just because it's on TV doesn't make it fact.

Airlinerfreak · Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:37 pm

Simply because we make America sound like the best also a bit of nationalism increases the fascination in the U.S.

QANTASforever · Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:04 pm

Quoting Lowrider (Reply 31):
I am not at all satisfied with the face we present to the world. As for self-victimization, don't project your own shortcomings on to me. I am not a victim of anything.

lol My comments were personal were they? Hehe no, you're not self-victimizing at all!

What I said was in reference to a broader national opinion (I thought that was pretty obvious) that the US is the weary soldier of the world - grand, yet fatigued by constantly fighting for truth, justice and the American way.....

QFF

lehpron · Wed Mar 16, 2005 5:07 pm

If when you were born you had an older brother or sister, why on Earth did you follow them around and want to copy them at times? I noticed if when my brother was born; same reason.

JGPH1A · Wed Mar 16, 2005 6:02 pm

What is 1337 ? Is this some kind of texting thing ? Please explain...

mdsh00 · Wed Mar 16, 2005 6:10 pm

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 36):
What is 1337 ? Is this some kind of texting thing ? Please explain...

It's hacker speak for "leet" --> "elite"

lowrider · Wed Mar 16, 2005 7:33 pm

Quoting QANTASforever (Reply 34):
What I said was in reference to a broader national opinion (I thought that was pretty obvious) that the US is the weary soldier of the world - grand, yet fatigued by constantly fighting for truth, justice and the American way.....

And my posts have had nothing to do with a "poor old US" mentality and everything do with a distaste for behaviors exhibited by those who just happen to live in the same country as me...I thought THAT was pretty obvious.

QANTASforever · Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:23 pm

No, it wasn't obvious at all. You talked like non-domestic forces were targeting the US and did not make clear that you were talking about some sort of anti-establishmentarian sect of your country's population.

QFF

gkirk · Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:35 pm

Because we like to see you make jackasses of yourselves? Wink

ANCFlyer · Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:36 pm

Quoting Gkirk (Reply 40):
Because we like to see you make jackasses of yourselves

Ha Ha Ha - we'll get in line right behind you Kirkie! yes

EZEIZA · Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:43 pm

I don't think anyone outside the US is fascinated these days. in fact, I think at present the US is at its lowest point in recent history in its relations with the world. By this I don't mean on a govt' level, just the average world citizen sees the US as a world bully rather than, for example during World War II, as a world saviour. If you don't like it, blame it on your president (who you voted for another term ... why would you do that????).

FDXmech · Thu Mar 17, 2005 4:42 am

>>>Boeing, our culture focuses on SUV's, who has the biggest house, what are the celebs doing, fast food, reality TV, plastic surgury, and the newest and most expensive trends. Pretty stupid and shallow if you ask me. I try very hard not to support any of this crap.<<<

That might be what, "Madison Avenue", wants you to believe. That's alway's been the way its been. If you believe what you wrote, Madison Avenue", earned their salary today. You've been duped.

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