America and Americans - What exactly are we good at? What makes us "the best"?

America is good at Conquering. We did when we arrived here and when we threw the British out. When we moved westward and dominated the Native Americans. We faced down the frontier and conquered that. We went to the moon and beat the Nazi's.

Like it or not that is what America is in alot of peoples minds and what makes us different from the country's in Europe. What the future challenges are who knows, only time will tell us that.

Originally posted by juveous
America is good at being diverse. I would argue they are the best at it, however i have only lived in America.

This county offers the most diverse geography on the planet (mnts, desert, beaches, volcanoes, forests,etc)
This county has the most expertise and control in modern warfare
This county is supremely multi-cultral and accepts more immigration than any other nation.
This county is pretty good at supplying entertainment (theme parks, music,movies, sports -
American footbal, basketball, baseball, nascar, bowling, surfing, skateboarding

America is good at the hip and trendy as well as the simple and reserved. The best at being relevant.

Lots of bad things to mention too, but i think those have already been addressed.

Many places have all of that geography as well. Australia.
USA has alot of troops, many other places are better at keeping them alive.
most american sports are virtually unknown outside the USA.
America has the most arrogance aparent.

What about the Cuban missile crisis?
American: We avoided global nuclear war.
global citizen: It was either America survives or the world dies, so the russians win the cold war - so what? at least the other 3/4 of the human race survive.
What about all the human rights violations, non combatant deaths?
I believe some American sociopath called it 'collateral damage'
At least Americas 'enemies' are honest enough about their crimes to not think that the rest of the world is stupid enough to believe 'collateral damage' BS.
America is more terrifying then any other nation on earth! you'd destroy the whole world before you'd accept defeat. don't worry about the rest of us will ya, selfish madmen.
Enough with the 'We are the greatest' BS, your the only ones who believe it.

You're best at fast food.

Originally posted by Raivan31
I am constantly hearing this sentiment of, America is the greatest country on earth, e.t.c.

I didnt realise so many people were so obsessed with us.

Not even close, allow me to point out a few things.
America has:

Talk about arrogance. Seems to be some are just as or even more self absorbed and feel holier than thou. Pity, Here I was foolish enough to believe we were actually going to learn something new, instead we are going to be treated to the same old verbal excrement stereotyping.

More murders/crime then most other developed nations.
Soldiers are payed a pittance compared with most other developed nations.
Serial killers are dime a dozen, they are rare in most other developed nations.

Thanks for the tip.
Now tell us something we don't already know.

just a few things there as an entree

Ahhh an expert on judging all 310,000,000 Americans.

Please, Go on.

America's 2 biggest problems? fanatical patriotism and a severe lack of knowledge of the rest of the world.
Your governing bodies have you believing that your the greatest!
only a few steps above North Korea for social brain washing.

YAWN

All of which has nothing do with why We feel the way we do.

Honestly, think about it.

Keep guessing

Originally posted by Raivan31
Many places have all of that geography as well. Australia.
USA has alot of troops, many other places are better at keeping them alive.
most american sports are virtually unknown outside the USA.
America has the most arrogance aparent.

Yeah, it's a wonder other parts of the world have even heard of us. I guess we'll have to include stealth among our virtues, what few we have.

Let's see, we have - The NHL, The NFL, The NBA, Baseball, MLS, Netflix, Hollywood, Jim Beam, HBO, Showtime, 50 Beautiful States!, The patent for the Hydrogen bomb, the X-37B, A bunch of calling cards left all over the Solar system, So, far, the only 3 objects that have LEFt the Solar system, and if we're nor careful, the only thing that will be left of the human race, and let's see, oh yeah, the capability to buckle down, get busy, and kick anybody's ass, anywhere, at anything, anytime! we just have a little problem with "focus" sometimes!

Originally posted by mamabeth
reply to post by David9176

 

Ahhh,you forgot the cupcakes,twinkies and ding dongs.
Coffee,soda pop and booze.

This is what is wrong with America. Pride. Misplaced pride.

Soda Pop was invented in Leeds, England by Joseph Priestley
Coffee and alcohol both out-date America by a few hundred years.

Originally posted by Erongaricuaro

Originally posted by Kitilani

Originally posted by Erongaricuaro
The Canadian Provinces of America??

Is a title you just made up.

Did you really not understand what I wrote?

When you cross the border into Canada and they ask you where you are from, if you say America they tell you wrong answer. Canadians at the border sure do consider Canada part of America. Just ask them.

I understand Canada is on the North American continent. Is America part of Canada's official name?

en.wiktionary.org...
Proper noun

Canada
A country in North America; official name: Canada.
(historical) Lower Canada or Upper Canada, often "the Canadas". Also Canada East or Canada West.

Synonyms
Canuckistan, Soviet Canuckistan
Great White North
neighbor to the north
_______________

Canada is in North America. Is it "America"? No, that would be the United States of America.

I understood. You?

edit on 17-8-2011 by Erongaricuaro because: (no reason given)

Obviously you do not understand. I never said America was part of their name. That is a whole other argument you seem to be having alone. What I said was if you tell them you are from America, they will tell you to try again. They understand that America is two entire continents and does not just mean the US. I am not sure what argument you are trying to have. I am just telling you how it is.

"America" is not the US to them. "America" is two entire continents to them. Get that?

Originally posted by CosmosKid
and let's see, oh yeah, the capability to buckle down, get busy, and kick anybody's ass, anywhere, at anything, anytime! we just have a little problem with "focus" sometimes!

Really?

Seriously. Really?

Have we lost the will to strive for great things? Do we even have the right to call ourselves the best at anything anymore (beyond military, but lets be honest...that is not a point of pride...just because someone carries the largest stick doesn't mean he is the best person to know).

reply to post by SaturnFX

At this point i would say were probably the best at starting wars, and eating.. I mean c'mon we really have a Major League Eating??? This is the America we live in today..

reply to post by SaturnFX


Explanation: S&F!

Economy of the United States: Overview [wiki]

From its emergence as an independent nation, the United States has encouraged science and innovation. As a result, the United States has been the birthplace of 161 of Britannica's 321 Great Inventions, including items such as the airplane, internet, microchip, laser, cellphone, refrigerator, email, microwave, LCD and LED technology, air conditioning, assembly line, supermarket, bar code, electric motor, and ATM.

Economy of the United States: Manufacturing [wiki]

The United States is the world's largest manufacturer, with a 2007 industrial output of US$2.69 trillion. In 2008, its manufacturing output was greater than that of the manufacturing output of China, India, and Brazil combined, despite manufacturing being a very small portion of the entire US economy as compared to most other countries.

Main industries include petroleum, steel, automobiles, construction machinery, aerospace, agricultural machinery, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, and mining.

The US leads the world in airplane manufacturing, which represents a large portion of US industrial output. American companies such as Boeing, Cessna (see: Textron), Lockheed Martin (see: Skunk Works), and General Dynamics produce a vast majority of the world's civilian and military aircraft in factories stretching across the United States.

Economy of the United States: Finance [wiki]

Measured by value of its listed companies' securities, the New York Stock Exchange is more than three times larger than any other stock exchange in the world. As of October 2008, the combined capitalization of all domestic NYSE listed companies was US$10.1 trillion. New York City is the financial capital of the world alongside London.

NASDAQ is another American stock exchange and the world's 3rd largest exchange after the New York Stock Exchange and Japan's Tokyo Stock Exchange. However NASDAQ's trade value is larger than Japan's TSE. NASDAQ is the largest electronic screen-based equity securities trading market in the USA. With approximately 3,800 companies and corporations, it has more trading volume per hour than any other stock exchange.

Economy of the United States: International trade [wiki]

The United States is the world's largest trading nation. Since it is the world's leading importer, there are many U.S. dollars in circulation all around the planet. The dollar is also used as the standard unit of currency in international markets for commodities such as gold and petroleum.

Personal Disclosure: Do NOT underestimate the USA OK! They came out of a great depression once already!

This is what I think we're best at, but it isn't good.

1. Using our military power to intimidate other countries to bow to our selfish interests.

2. Playing the "Panic" card when countries try to improve their own military for their own security.

3. Acting like America is "King of the Hill" and feel like countries who try to improve their military capabilities, economic status or joining world organizations have to answer to us first.

4. A government who points the finger at the cost of programs that benefit their citizens instead of wasteful spending used for war, political self interests, and corporate interests.

5. Corporate greed, and sending manufacturing facilities overseas to take advantage of cheap labor to increase profits and at the same time sacrifice quality.

6. Letting our government tax us to death.

7. Electing government officials who are incompetent.

8. Policing the world.

reply to post by SemperGumby


you just don't get it do you gumby.
just deal with the fact that your country is just as bad as almost any other.
Your gettn offended?
GOOD, I get offended every time I have to hear an America rave on about how great they think they are.
As for being arrogant, find one of my posts where I have been so savegly anti American, your unlikely to because it is pointless. Cleary most of your country is incapable of humility.
At least own up to a mistake every now and then.
You said something about your country being so popular? hard for the rest of the world to NOT pay attention to America when they've been playing russian roulette with us all for so long.
So stop listening to your media and politicians because they're full of the brown stuff that comes outta the backend of a bull.

Good post....I've been wondering that myself. Remember the Clinton statement about us being number one in various key areas. I remember computers or supercomputers, aerospace. Now not so much. I'd say today we still are number one in weapons, porn, cigarettes.

maybe nothing..greetings from Germany

The US is the entertainment capital of the world. When other countries watch our TV, they compare it to their own (in many places) and say that their own is relatively much less exciting. Our movie industry is also huge. When you hear about pirated DVDs being sold, where'd they come from? And, our music industry is also known for producing and serving as a magnet for new talent. America is known for mega-stars.

If anyone doubts any of this, just look at how overly entertained the average American is. Between YouTube, ipods, video games, movies, and television, we are all hooked on this stuff.

Also remember the US is the source of the world's leading operating system - MS Windows.

McDonald's and Coca-Cola are global brands selling in places you'd never imagine.

The basic premise in the title of the thread, that Americans are 'the best', is completely flawed, but the brainwashing has been so intense many still believe that garbage.

This kind of debate in itself is part of the problem, not the solution. Frankly, it's ridiculous.

Originally posted by daynight42
The US is the entertainment capital of the world. When other countries watch our TV, they compare it to their own (in many places) and say that their own is relatively much less exciting. Our movie industry is also huge. When you hear about pirated DVDs being sold, where'd they come from? And, our music industry is also known for producing and serving as a magnet for new talent. America is known for mega-stars.

If anyone doubts any of this, just look at how overly entertained the average American is. Between YouTube, ipods, video games, movies, and television, we are all hooked on this stuff.

Also remember the US is the source of the world's leading operating system - MS Windows.

McDonald's and Coca-Cola are global brands selling in places you'd never imagine.

every single thing you've pointed out there is bad for you
mcdonalds and coke? extremely unhealthy
ms windows? great but your sitting down all day using it
movies, television? sitting down for hours watching csi america
youtube? check all the above
all of which contribute to obesidy

reply to post by SaturnFX

When I grew up in England, I loved everything about America, all the comedy shows and movies, Bing Crosby, The three stooges, John Wayne, American comics. To me it was a far away distant paradise. Through the eyes of a child, I just loved the wholesomeness and good humor of American entertainment.

If you where to ask me now, what would make America great again, it would be to get back on track to the America of the 50's, lose the violence coming out of Hollywood, get rid of the obscenities in your music, do away with your litigation mentality, re-acquaint yourselves with the words morality and decency. I don't know for sure if these things even existed in America then but as an outsider peering in it sure looked that way.

I can't say that it is any different anywhere else these days, but my observation is, that America has corroded from the inside and it has spread throughout the world.

What I am getting at is, that America is very good at setting an example for both good or bad. It was your parents or grandparent who set the example for the world back then, but now its up to you guys. The way it stands now it looks as though the USA is in a headlong race to the bottom of depravity.

The most violent movies or games the most depraved porn (can't let those Europeans be more gross than we are) the most obscene weapons the most arrogant stance on foreign relations. If you guys just stopped buying this sh!t and demanded higher standards, then the market for violence and degrading entertainment would dry up.

As leaders in trends that influence the rest of the world it is time to make a choice. Demand that you want more innocent entertainment where even the worst would still be suitable for your children.

Somewhere along the way, being decent became uncool.

There was nothing wrong with inferred violence to make a movie seem real. Things don't have to be hardcore to be entertaining. All hardcore does is desensitize and make the horrors seem normal or good sex seem boring.

Time for the pendulum to swing back to a more innocent outlook on life. America can do what it does better than any other nation on Earth, that is influence the world to be an honest, moral, decent place to raise our children.