Author Topic: American Identity  (Read 16484 times)

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TK

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Re: American Identity
« Reply #15 on: February 18, 2008, 11:01:24 PM »
You didn't remind me of it directly Brug it was just where my train of thought was going.

I already used Hugh Lawrie as part of my top trump  :P

I get what you mean though Solwyn, I'm quite patriotic I appreciate the contribution my countrymen have made to the arts and science and strongly believe we can still have a positive impact on the world, I'm proud to be a Scot.

Solwyn

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Re: American Identity
« Reply #16 on: February 18, 2008, 11:25:55 PM »
Yeah, I realize he was one half of Jeeves and Wooster, I was using him against you in an AMERICAN show... dun dun duuuunnnnnnn

But yeah, I want to believe that national identity is not a thing of Pre-World War II Europe, when racial identity was a big deal.

After that, I think people belong more to "cultures," so they can say and do what they feel no matter what the political choice of their country of origin.

I like to believe I'm a Celt, and identify with that side of myself (my mom's side of the family being mostly Irish). But I'm an American.

Oh, and to those of you who call all American Beer pisswater, go drink something that costs more than five bucks a 12-pack. Namely...

Sam Adams, anything by New Belgium or Leinenkugels.

Just my 2c, but those all have fine brews, especially Samuel Adams Scotch Ale and Belgium Brewing Company's Fat Tire.
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TK

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Re: American Identity
« Reply #17 on: February 18, 2008, 11:50:51 PM »
But... but... the unutterable 'R' word... you can't do that! I used him to illustrate my point.

What I've seen of house he is very good in it but I'd contest that his presence and popularity on American TV only serves to strenghten my point about Americans yearning for strong examples and leadership from the god like British. 

Silly post-colonial monkey.  ;D

Seriously though.

I don't think that national identity is so strongly linked to racial identity anymore, most of the people I know from different racial backgrounds are happy to consider themselves Scottish and I tend to find that a divergent racial background doesn't make me question that assertion. 

My limited knowledge of national/racial identity suggests there is still something of a conceptual dichotomy in how people from different racial backgrounds view thier national identity in its entirety though.  I suppose that's really just a sign of people being comfortable integrating while still being proud of thier heritage which is largely what you've already said I think.

Solwyn

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Re: American Identity
« Reply #18 on: February 18, 2008, 11:59:02 PM »
I see what you mean, but I was addressing more of a point between national and cultural identity.

Like I'm an American, but I don't own an SUV. But that doesn't mean I smoke pot.

So we as Americans belong to these subcultures in order to find identity, based on a variety of reasons.

Also, House MD is awesome, and can I get an amen from the other colonials out there? Don't be have a kiwi on the forum? Or was it an Aussie? Or both. I can never remember. But I know we have some Cannucks.

Also, you Brits can keep Tom Cruise.
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TK

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Re: American Identity
« Reply #19 on: February 19, 2008, 12:17:29 AM »
We don't want Cruise, he keeps saying really odd things and scaring the children.

I see what you mean, belonging to subcultures is a universal though.  I suppose I kind of touch on the metal subculture but I don't conform to the inherent clothing rules and I'm not tatooed or pierced.  I find it slightly shocking that I conform to the portion of my society that looks down on a lot of other groups like the neds and the emos, I often need to catch myself and remind myself that thier mode of self expression isn't intrinsically less valuable than the way I choose to define myself. 

I reckon that subculture is a valuable way of defining oneself in relation to the rest of society but I also believe that it can be a dangerous thing if you get carried away with it.  In many ways subculture is becoming the new 'race issue'.  Well... it's probably being given a brighter spotlight now than it has had for quite a while

I don't think being part of a subculture precludes some kind of national identity even if it's an abstract and I feel that national identity is definitely an abstract, we can form lists etc but they just don't capture the spirit of the thing.

I realise I'm totally getting away from the original debate and that I'm probably not quite getting exacly what you're asking for.

Doombot

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Re: American Identity
« Reply #20 on: February 19, 2008, 03:04:38 AM »
My brother and I were discussing the fact that Americans are seen as stupid because some seem to have little knowledge about the world outside of America.  We kind of came to the conclusion that while ignorance played a part the fact that America is so vast and diverse means it's slightly inevitable that they won't feel the need to look outside of thier own country.

There is something to that. If want something different, we really don't have to leave our country to get it.

Want the snow? Northern states.
Want isolated snow? Alaska.
Want the tropics and warm weather? Hawaii.
Want the beach? California, Texas, Florida and other states.
Want the desert? Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico.
Want high tech cities? Dallas, New York, San Fran, etc.
Want the simple cities? Go to Arkansas, Missouri etc.

I could go on and on. Any activity, sport, leisure activity can probably be done in the States. So unlike some countries, we don't have to leave ours if we want to see the beach or go skiing in the snow.

If there's a certain lifestyle then it's here too. Want an Asian, rural, gay, hippie or surfer lifestyle? There's probably a community that's built up around that theme.

So we really don't have to leave to do something since it probably exists.

There's certain exceptions of course. Obviously, I can't see Ayer's Rock in America but I can go to a safari and see kangaroos. =) And there's so much to see.

However, I DO want to be one of those people that travel. I like traveling.
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Doombot

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Re: American Identity
« Reply #21 on: February 19, 2008, 03:29:56 AM »
I would have no problem eating foreign food. I eat it here all the time. Granted it's often Americanized but plenty of traditional restaurants can be found. I think I would probably draw the line at monkey brains...and English food.   ;D

Ewwww GROSS! British Food. =P Almost Burnt Bland Food dipped in grease.

If they go all out they dump a can of peas on it.

More Monkey Brains please!

Will I get Night Owl points for quitting but not as much for getting fired?
Will I still be a member of the Owl's Pals? I'd hate to turn in my card. It's got a real owl feather under the lamination and everything.


Night Owl: Oh, indeed. I quit many a job ...better than being fired. You can keep your card... in fact, you get double points for quitting!


Night Owl

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Re: American Identity
« Reply #22 on: February 19, 2008, 04:53:02 PM »
I figured the "Americans don't know about the rest of the world" thing would come up early. But how much do the average citizens anywhere know about the rest of the world? I would say it's easy to know all about different countries and cultures and languages when you have twelve of the friggen things in an area the size of Texas.

I would guess that my knowledge of the European map is better than most European's knowledge of the 50 states. And that's probably a fair equivilent.

I also agree that our identity, to me, is more business-oriented in nature. You can do (almost) anything you want here, without red tape. Want to start a business? Paint a sign and go for it (obviously, certain professions like doctor, etc need a license.) Personally, I like that a lot.

One thing I don't like (like many others) is this world cop thing. But we also have to remember that it was that attitude that probably kept the Russian bear out of western Europe in the 60's-80's. They certainly weren't afraid of France, Denmark, and Sweeden (to name a few.)

Solwyn

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Re: American Identity
« Reply #23 on: February 19, 2008, 06:01:57 PM »
Night Owl makes a good point about the knowledge thing. I can't use this as a sample but a Finnish buddy of mine once defied me to tell him to answer five questions about Finland without looking up the answers, I got three right. I asked him five about the US and he got them all wrong. I didn't see that as a failing on his part though, I'm just a nerd and like to know things that are (for all intents and purposes) trivial.

Although I'm amazed at how intricately some of my European friends understand the current US election, especially compared to some of my American peers.

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Re: American Identity
« Reply #24 on: February 19, 2008, 09:15:55 PM »
Although I'm amazed at how intricately some of my European friends understand the current US election, especially compared to some of my American peers.

Probably due to the effect that America has on the world. The world's going to be effected more by US policy than what Finland does. US policy can affect trade, wars, economies. Finland just sends us drunk posts and swears on our boards when they drink vodka.
Will I get Night Owl points for quitting but not as much for getting fired?
Will I still be a member of the Owl's Pals? I'd hate to turn in my card. It's got a real owl feather under the lamination and everything.


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Doombot

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Re: American Identity
« Reply #25 on: February 19, 2008, 09:24:34 PM »
I figured the "Americans don't know about the rest of the world" thing would come up early. But how much do the average citizens anywhere know about the rest of the world? I would say it's easy to know all about different countries and cultures and languages when you have twelve of the friggen things in an area the size of Texas.

Texas is a good example. My boyfriend drives to Dallas sometimes. He can hit the Texas border and still have to drive for another 10 hours before hitting Dallas. If he wanted to pass Dallas and go though Texas on to Arkansas it would be about another 3 hours.

Europe vs. US Size Comparison Map
« Last Edit: February 19, 2008, 09:27:38 PM by Doombot »
Will I get Night Owl points for quitting but not as much for getting fired?
Will I still be a member of the Owl's Pals? I'd hate to turn in my card. It's got a real owl feather under the lamination and everything.


Night Owl: Oh, indeed. I quit many a job ...better than being fired. You can keep your card... in fact, you get double points for quitting!


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Re: American Identity
« Reply #26 on: February 20, 2008, 01:26:08 AM »
Finland just sends us drunk posts and swears on our boards when they drink vodka.

That's just what they export. I bet you don't know what they import.  ;)
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Re: American Identity
« Reply #27 on: February 20, 2008, 01:41:18 AM »
Ants?  Importants?
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Solwyn

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Re: American Identity
« Reply #28 on: February 20, 2008, 04:03:59 AM »
Finland just sends us drunk posts and swears on our boards when they drink vodka.

That's just what they export. I bet you don't know what they import.  ;)

I don't know what they import the MOST in volume but the most money they spend is on foreign fossil fuels and energy. Also foodstuffs since there's not enough agriculture to support the populace. And if I'm not mistaken they import the most from Germany.
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PsychoPompos

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Re: American Identity
« Reply #29 on: February 22, 2008, 10:47:11 PM »
Ugh

Just read the next one...
« Last Edit: February 22, 2008, 10:52:08 PM by PsychoPompos »
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