Why is America so awesome?

[Nazulu]

America has a powerful media industry and all over the world you will here their history and stuff. The entertainment nation also has the most money so musicians and actors around the globe will probably start a career there, and it just keeps expanding allowing alot more tallent to be discovered. You could even have no talent and just look sexy like Britney Spears! OK, thats a bad example.

So yes, America is awesome but I am proud to be an Australian and I wouldn't go as far to say they are better because that would be ignorant. All country's have some great historical moments and has their own interesting artistic media, you just have to find it!

 

[CrafterMan]

Blame Canada. XD

 

[Johninator712]

Well it's the fact that we are a "Free" country. Where the government can listen in on any phone call, read any e-mails. Where some immigrants are now illegal "All animals are equal, except some are more equal than others" is a great quote from the book Animal Farm by George Orwell. How did we get here in the first place? We came on over and tried to move all the Native American's out. We seem to live off of the life force of super natural beings we like to call "Celebrities". We dig our fingernails in so deep, with our camera's, and microphones, and newscasters to get all of the juice from them, to feed all of the little Americans in need of information.

But yeah...I think we're pretty awesome. Except for all that, and in all truth we are pretty free. I just thought I would through my little rant out there. Sorry if I offend anyone, I don't mean to

 

[iamnotincompliance]

America speaks to much. End of

Well to be honest they makes some pretty decent muscle cars.

So long as you aren't talking about the new ones, I agree. The Challenger platform is a shortened version of a decade-old Mercedes E-class, Camaro is almost entirely Australian designed (and built in Canada for reasons I won't bother with here), and Mustang... seriously Ford, you're going to continue with the [a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_axle]live axle[/a] in the next generation?

That kind of thing doesn't make America awesome at all. It makes other countries awesome.

America is great because their adverts are HILARIOUS! I saw an advert there once for a 4 by 4 that was 'now able to hold up to 4 tonnes' and looking around you see that a large chunk of Americans have these and I bet the heaviest and biggest thing they've ever carried with it is a broom. If anyone on the escapist can think of something a normal person would need to move a 4 tonne object then I'll give them a cookie.

Quote slightly fixed because Firefox objected to a few bits, and I had nothing better to do.

Now to agree with you. The average pickup truck (what you called a 4 by 4) owner has no need to move 4 tons what-so-ever. So why did they become so popular? It goes back to the OPEC embargo of '73. Suddenly, cars with big honkin' engines up front producing more horsepower than one could ever reasonably need weren't in fashion. As such, they weren't in production either, so where was a power junkie to look? Trucks, of course, which were allowed to keep the big engines, the transmissions to match, rear wheel drive, and full frames (the muscle car formula in a nutshell). Today, they continue this fine tradition, with one other thing muscle cars of old had: options lists that would choke a giraffe. The Ford F-150 (best selling vehicle in America 31 years running, if that says anything about us), stripped to the bare essentials, runs about $22,000. The fully loaded Platinum edition costs roughly $45,000.

So who does need the ability to move four tons of shit around? For one, construction contractors, and a correctly set up pickup can carry all that and the entire crew to the job site. Why trucks remain popular with Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro (if GM lasts that long) on the market is beyond me.

Now that that's out of the way, what makes America so awesome? Mythbusters.

[NOTE] I deride the ponycar set in my first response, and prop them up as the more sensible alternatives to pickups in my second, so some of you might be wondering where the hell I stand on them. It's simple: I WANT! Sensibilities be damned, I want.

 

[vede]

I don't like America.

I can't stand the extent to which religion affects politics. That's really the whole thing, actually.

I mean, there's the stupids who think being a stupid is fine because they're allowed to by the government. And the normal stupids who are just plain stupid. But there's stupids everywhere.

Well, and the racism. There's tons of racism in my school, and I hate it. I was called a 'retarded ******-lover' for saying I supported Obama, and had to change groups (it was some group activity for geometry when the subject came up). My grandfather seems to think all black women are hookers, and all black men are gangsters (Obama was a different kind; terrorist). That was only blacks, though, he's got shit for everyone...

 

[fasteddie_felson]

I signed up for the Escapist just to answer this thread too! first off I'm an American, born, raised, and also an Army Veteran who went to war in Iraq years ago. Really to answer this question why America is great, is kind of arrogant and it would be easy to come off as the typical "Ugly American" but here goes. America is great because I can say George Bush has been a total war mongering, torturing asshole, who deserves to go on trial for war crimes against humanity, and no secret police will bang down my door and arrest me!

America is great because the Constitution was designed with checks and balances, and as bad as the U.S. has been the last eight years, the pendulum is swinging back. America is great because we have corruption, but don't stand for it for long. America is great because Bill Gates the richest man in the world lives here, and he's giving most of his money away to help people in Africa, and the rest of the world. America is great because we make most of the best movies. America is great because we are the world. Yes, people from all over the world have come to live here in one diverse melting pot. America is great because we love or hate France depending on which American you talk to. (I love France. And French women too!) America is great because we invented the Internet. America is great because we have great colleges. America is great because our greed fucked up the world's economy, and we have the balls to admit it and try to repair it. Not only that: the average American citizen is mad as Hell at the greed on Wall Street. We won't stand for that either. America is great because despite mostly being a Christian nation, we have no state religion, and 2 million Muslims live here in peace. Finally America is great because all the best things we love about other countries we bring here. Including Thai food, German, and Japanese cars, Russian mail order brides, Guillermo del Toro, Cate Blanchett, Pasta. I know that's an somewhat arbitrary list; we're really a bunch of self absorbed consumers, who speak one language and want to learn another (Spanish.) but we're trying to improve, and we did elect in Barack Obama a talented, smart, visionary black man, so that might be something.

 

[Joeshie]

One of your points I would completely disagree with. From what I know, America's college system is by far one of the most corrupt college systems in the world. It doesn't matter how smart someone is, if they don't have the money to get into the top end universities/colleges then they're not going to. It's a system that basically helps the rich people stay rich.

That's not corrupt, it's called capitalism and it's one of the reasons why America's colleges are the top in the world.

And you are very wrong on another point. Universities grant TONS of scholarships and full rides if you are smart/hardworking enough, so your whole point of "it doesn't matter how smart you are" is complete bullshit. I know you probably want to cry out, "OH THE OLD MAN IS JUST KEEPING THE WORKIN' CLASS DOWN" but that's largely an exaggeration. How hard you work in life is far more important than what school you go to. I know plenty of kids who have graduated from top universities but failed in their jobs because they didn't work hard enough. Likewise, I know of people who attended community colleges (where the costs are much cheaper) and have gone on to great jobs because of how hard they worked.

So I don't want to hear the excuse that it's just a way of keeping the rich in power because it largely isn't. If you are smart enough and you work hard enough, you can succeed in your career even if you can't afford to go to a big university.

Just another little thing I wanted to ask was whether or not you've watched any rugby? If I'm being honest I've never sat down to watch a game of American football, but from what I've seen it seems fairly similar to rugby, minus all the padding and helmets.

Quick little history lesson on American football for those of you who don't know.

American football has gone through significant changes since it's appearance in the late 1800's. When the first game of American football was played, the only way you could score was by kicking it; holding or passing the ball was not allowed. This is why the game got it's name football. The earliest games of football were almost exclusively played by colleges against one another.

In the beginning, two different types of the game were played: a version of the game that was similar to soccer and a version of the game that was similar to rugby. However, the version of rugby proved to be the most popular version and the soccer version was largely phased out. It was during the late 1800's to the early 1900's that the game expanded and it's rules began to change. The forward pass was added in the early 1900's because large amounts of fatalities in the game began to pile up.

The game of football continued to morph and change while also gaining larger popularity on a nationwide scale. Eventually the game morphed to what it is now. Instead of kicking the ball, as it was originally played, it has morphed into a game of physical contest of moving the ball on the ground and in the air.

So to answer your question: yes, American football has many similarities to modern rugby because American football started as a mix between rugby and soccer.

And for you foreigners who have never sat down to watch a game, you really should some time. It's a fantastic game that features not only physical strength, but also speed, precision, teamwork, and huge amounts of strategy. I'm not joking when I say that it's pretty much the equivalent of chess in the sports world.

 

[matrix3509]

I really don't get the sudden surge of the so called "anti-american" threads. Yeah I understand that the U.S. isn't the "best" country (whatever that means), but no other country is the "best" either. We are all stuck in the same shit hole called Earth and we better all learn to deal with it.

I wonder if I should start threads with the titles:

Why is (x country) so awesome?

Though I'm sure I would get called a prick for doing so because its apparently okay to pick on only the U.S. and no other country.

 

[sheic99]

I think its awesome that the first black president is also a comic book geek.

I am suddenly happy I voted for him. Does anybody know when his inaugural address is?

Odd guess- January 20th??

I have trouble sleeping with the prospect of Obama becoming president, it is the worst thing. No it is not because he is black,I know that is why most people voted for him,I even considered voting for someone twice as Black as Obama.

Can I ask why? I'm not an American but I followed the election pretty closely and I thought he was the best candidate. I liked that his focus was Economy orientated not war orientated.

He doesn't know what he's doing. Let me just say, maybe this will help, but my political philosophy would fall most into a socially conservative Libertarian. He wants to make America Socialist. Why should someone who works hard for their money give it up to someone just so everyone is on the same level? The redistribution of wealth they call it. Places where there is Universal Health care have higher taxes and inferior service. I think he also wants to raise the minimum wage and that will put more people out of jobs because the companies won't be able to hire as much. The thing that strikes my moral core most is his support of post birth abortions.

So, he wants to raise taxes for people with higher paying jobs to help fund health care? That's not sarcasm, that's a legitimate question.

And, what exactly do you mean by 'post birth abortions'?

Why should someone give up their hard earned money unless they choose to on their own free will?

Because Laissez Faire does not work.

I can provide plenty of support for that if you want.

 

[fasteddie_felson]

By the way the greatest sport is soccer, and the greatest American contribution to world sport has been Basketball. I love football, but it's weird it doesn't translate well to other countries. Just one of those cultural things.

 

[Joeshie]

By the way the greatest sport is soccer, and the greatest American contribution to world sport has been Basketball. I love football, but it's weird it doesn't translate well to other countries. Just one of those cultural things.

That's not really a fair criticism of football. Basketball wasn't very popular in the rest of the world either until the Dream Team arrived in the Olympics. I think the problem is that the rest of the world just thinks of it as another version of rugby, when it really isn't.

 

[walker.au]

they are just envious that they are not Australians..
Cricket and beer... 2 of the items that USA USA USA (taking shirt off) is missing.

they are very lucky they live next to Canada (Australians witha funny accent.

 

[fasteddie_felson]

By the way the greatest sport is soccer, and the greatest American contribution to world sport has been Basketball. I love football, but it's weird it doesn't translate well to other countries. Just one of those cultural things.

That's not really a fair criticism of football. Basketball wasn't very popular in the rest of the world either until the Dream Team arrived in the Olympics. I think the problem is that the rest of the world just thinks of it as another version of rugby, when it really isn't.

Just stating the facts: I love football, I recognize the greatness of world football(soccer), and love basketball, which the world has embraced. My favorite athletes of all time: Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Joe Montana. And Rod Laver. are we digressing from the thread subject? Nope, these are great American sports heroes, and one Aussie!

 

[matrix3509]

I think its awesome that the first black president is also a comic book geek.

I am suddenly happy I voted for him. Does anybody know when his inaugural address is?

Odd guess- January 20th??

I have trouble sleeping with the prospect of Obama becoming president, it is the worst thing. No it is not because he is black,I know that is why most people voted for him,I even considered voting for someone twice as Black as Obama.

Can I ask why? I'm not an American but I followed the election pretty closely and I thought he was the best candidate. I liked that his focus was Economy orientated not war orientated.

He doesn't know what he's doing. Let me just say, maybe this will help, but my political philosophy would fall most into a socially conservative Libertarian. He wants to make America Socialist. Why should someone who works hard for their money give it up to someone just so everyone is on the same level? The redistribution of wealth they call it. Places where there is Universal Health care have higher taxes and inferior service. I think he also wants to raise the minimum wage and that will put more people out of jobs because the companies won't be able to hire as much. The thing that strikes my moral core most is his support of post birth abortions.

So, he wants to raise taxes for people with higher paying jobs to help fund health care? That's not sarcasm, that's a legitimate question.

And, what exactly do you mean by 'post birth abortions'?

Why should someone give up their hard earned money unless they choose to on their own free will?

Because Laissez Faire does not work.

I can provide plenty of support for that if you want.

That doesn't answer the question. I'll be damned if I work my ass off and then have to give 50% of my hard earned money to some welfare sponging jackass, because he doesn't feel like working.

 

[hypothetical fact]

I think its awesome that the first black president is also a comic book geek.

I am suddenly happy I voted for him. Does anybody know when his inaugural address is?

Odd guess- January 20th??

I have trouble sleeping with the prospect of Obama becoming president, it is the worst thing. No it is not because he is black,I know that is why most people voted for him,I even considered voting for someone twice as Black as Obama.

Can I ask why? I'm not an American but I followed the election pretty closely and I thought he was the best candidate. I liked that his focus was Economy orientated not war orientated.

He doesn't know what he's doing. Let me just say, maybe this will help, but my political philosophy would fall most into a socially conservative Libertarian. He wants to make America Socialist. Why should someone who works hard for their money give it up to someone just so everyone is on the same level? The redistribution of wealth they call it. Places where there is Universal Health care have higher taxes and inferior service. I think he also wants to raise the minimum wage and that will put more people out of jobs because the companies won't be able to hire as much. The thing that strikes my moral core most is his support of post birth abortions.

So, he wants to raise taxes for people with higher paying jobs to help fund health care? That's not sarcasm, that's a legitimate question.

And, what exactly do you mean by 'post birth abortions'?

Why should someone give up their hard earned money unless they choose to on their own free will?

Because Laissez Faire does not work.

I can provide plenty of support for that if you want.

That doesn't answer the question. I'll be damned if I work my ass off and then have to give 50% of my hard earned money to some welfare sponging jackass, because he doesn't feel like working.

Because if nobody gives their hard earned money those sponging jackarses will steal to make a living. Think of it as paying for security mafia style.

 

[Lost In The Void]

By the way the greatest sport is soccer, and the greatest American contribution to world sport has been Basketball. I love football, but it's weird it doesn't translate well to other countries. Just one of those cultural things.

Just putting it out there. The original idea for basketball was thought up by a Canadian professor working in America. Americans made the sport popular but they didn't create it.

 

[fasteddie_felson]

By the way the greatest sport is soccer, and the greatest American contribution to world sport has been Basketball. I love football, but it's weird it doesn't translate well to other countries. Just one of those cultural things.

Just putting it out there. The original idea for basketball was thought up by a Canadian professor working in America. Americans made the sport popular but they didn't create it.

Hey okay so North Americans! ha. thx for the info

 

[windfish]

You could set a fucking clock by the regularity that these kinds of threads appear on the Escapist. Shine on indeed.

 

[sheic99]

I think its awesome that the first black president is also a comic book geek.

I am suddenly happy I voted for him. Does anybody know when his inaugural address is?

Odd guess- January 20th??

I have trouble sleeping with the prospect of Obama becoming president, it is the worst thing. No it is not because he is black,I know that is why most people voted for him,I even considered voting for someone twice as Black as Obama.

Can I ask why? I'm not an American but I followed the election pretty closely and I thought he was the best candidate. I liked that his focus was Economy orientated not war orientated.

He doesn't know what he's doing. Let me just say, maybe this will help, but my political philosophy would fall most into a socially conservative Libertarian. He wants to make America Socialist. Why should someone who works hard for their money give it up to someone just so everyone is on the same level? The redistribution of wealth they call it. Places where there is Universal Health care have higher taxes and inferior service. I think he also wants to raise the minimum wage and that will put more people out of jobs because the companies won't be able to hire as much. The thing that strikes my moral core most is his support of post birth abortions.

So, he wants to raise taxes for people with higher paying jobs to help fund health care? That's not sarcasm, that's a legitimate question.

And, what exactly do you mean by 'post birth abortions'?

Why should someone give up their hard earned money unless they choose to on their own free will?

Because Laissez Faire does not work.

I can provide plenty of support for that if you want.

That doesn't answer the question. I'll be damned if I work my ass off and then have to give 50% of my hard earned money to some welfare sponging jackass, because he doesn't feel like working.

Laissez Faire is the economic principle of free enterprise. The government takes no action in the operation of businesses or the welfare of it's citizens. It is the most extreme form of capitalism on the social economic scale. Which means no welfare, worker's comp, minimum wage, minimum age for work, FDA or other socialistic ideologies. As for an example, I'll direct you to the industrialization era and third world labor. If you want an actual text, read The Jungle by Upton Sinclair.

Edit: changed political to social

 

[TerraMGP]

The answer is quite simple really.

Because in spite of the fact that the vast majority of the world looks down on this fictitious american steriotype of a gun toting environment hating gay bashing idiotic backwards power obsessed overly militant group of malcontents with nothing better to do than pick on the rest of the world the vast majority of us can and do shrug it off and go on about our normal lives without any major prejudice or feelings of hostility. Funny thing is that I have known people who have come here from various Europian nations and every one of them actually found the average american to be more hospitable, courtious and genuionely friendly than anyone in their home nation. Now this is England, Italy and Germany we are talking about so take that for whatever it means to you.

The point is that we are awesome because we can take the bullshit of the rest of the world crunching us down and stereotyping us by saying we all act like the bottom 1/2% of our population without really holding any ill will in return.

Also Alton Brown.