I’m betting on America
June 2nd, 2008I was at a coffee shop yesterday with two other bloggers and I came across a Newspeak article written by some Indian (dot, not feather) guy about how America is on a decline and will be passed up. He goes off on America, saying that it’s no longer a good place to live, how Americans are unhappy, and a bunch of other crap. We just sighed and dismissed his nonsense.
For his American unhappiness, he uses a figure that 81% of Americans don’t like the way America is headed. Huh? Can you be a little bit specific? I don’t like the way this country is headed, but there’s not one other country in the world I’d rather be (and yes, I’ve been to plenty). OK, I’ll admit, I’d rather be vacationing back in the Caribbean right now, but to live, that’s what I meant.
For one thing, this guy is seriously biting the hand that feeds. India would be just another run of the mill third world country had it not been for America. You know this. The whole world knows this. But his head is too far up his ass to admit it, apparently.
Then he brags about Bollywood being bigger than Hollywood. So what! Let me get something straight. NOBODY in the world other than Indians watch the crap that comes out of Bollywood. The only reason it’s bigger is because there are 1.1 billion Indians in India alone. Their middle class alone is bigger than the entire United States’ population. Of course Bollywood is bigger. That still doesn’t change the fact that their movies suck.
United States, England, Japan, France, Spain, Italy, and Mexico all produce good film. I’m not too crazy about Hong Kong film, as I think it’s overblown, but it’s also considerably better than Bollywood film. Not saying much.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not anti-Indian. I’m just anti-this guy. Being in Software, of course I have close friends who are Indian.
I get defensive of my country. That’s how I am. Sure, we make mistakes. Our current President is corrupt and not very intelligent. The President before that may have been a sociopath. The one before that is the guy who taught the current President how to be corrupt. Yet, America chugs on. A President, no matter how bad, can only do so much damage.
So, I’m betting on America. I’m putting my money where my mouth is. When the Dow dipped below 12k, I went all out straight up Dow. Say what you will about America, but we’ll see who’s laughing in 10 years.
America leads the world in inventions. Still. Japan is #2. NO ONE else is even close. The #3 spot is a joke, and so unworthy I won’t even mention them.
America leads the world in Nanotechnology and also Biotech, two markets which will be huge in the near future. The amazing thing about those numbers is in both categories, America leads every other country in the world combined. Yes, that is not a misprint.
Doubters talk all day about the rise of China and India. I’m not worried. China is Communist, and we all know how Communism punishes the strong and rewards mediocrity. The Chinese have had a long history of being innovative people. This generation’s innovative Chinese have been run over by tanks, or are keeping their mouths shut because they don’t want to rock the boat.
India on the other hand never had a history of innovation. It’s not in their culture. They make excellent workers, but innovation? No. Their schools teach how to be employees, but not how to create. Copy? Sure. Create? No.
Europe has had better days. They’ll rise again, sure. But too many Europeans are obsessed with both political correctness and Socialism, two things that will cripple them and hold them back from achieving their utmost potential.
Don’t believe me? Fine. Think of the ten coolest things invented in the past 50 years. Bet at least nine on your list would be invented by America or Japan.
As for Japan, they’re our best friends. I’m not worried about competing with them, because of all our allies, besides Canada and the Thais, they’re probably my favorite.
Now Latin America on the other hand, I really see a strong future and America is making a HUGE mistake by trading too much with China and not enough with Latin America. If I were running this country, I wouldn’t miss this opportunity.
So if you think America is doomed, fine. Sell all your American stock. Get rid of all your American dollars. Invest elsewhere. Just don’t cry to me if you see everyone else get rich investing in America.
so glad that i finally found you… *went to ur earlier blog and found this link*hehe
totally agree about stuff coming out of bollywood being total crab… the actors break out into an awkward songs every now and then, being a neighbour, its funny to see our film industry do the same. DARN darn!! *hope little swearing is allowed here*… and another reason why bollywood movies sells so well is because an average indian watches the same movie about 100 times (i am not kidding).
And not much into buying Chinese product (another neighbour)… eg: paints starts to come out of toys.. and durability is another problem.
here, the $ value has gone up a little today… the Euro is gettin strong i must say.
If only all patriots thought this way. I had no idea that America was still so far ahead when it comes to invention, and it makes me happy to be enlightened to it. Our ability to imagine, invent and create is one of humans’ shining characteristics in my opinion and I would be grateful to see more of it.
I’m afraid that that part of America is really being overshadowed by the present corruption of the government in office. The apparent lack of interest in forward thinking and creative action does not promote a strong image of inventiveness or progress. I think that it really hurts the administration and the population.
A bad president can only do so much damage, but if a 4 year old can flood a basement and potentially destroy a house in roughly 10 minutes of mischief, there is no end to the mischief an immature, manipulative, arrogant and prejudice commander in chief could do in 8 years.
Yes, you survived it. Unfortunately we all know that a lot of people didn’t.
I’m looking to the future.
I’m betting on her too. I detest the hypocritical smears that the US takes from the envious small minded morons who seem to be all too plentiful. Unfortunately, the talented, strong, and leadership-ful usually are the target of the insecure and envious.
I would never bet against America in any category. We have our problems sure, but it’s in most people’s nature to bitch first and be thankful never. This was a great post. We could all benefit from Polyanna’s Glad Game just a little, by challenging ourselves to come up with something that makes us happy once a day.
I saw a special on PBS on Denmark, how they have completely weaned themselves from fossil fuels, and their economy has blossomed, fertilized by the jobs created in the alternative energy sector. It made me sad that America hasn’t taken up that torch. Although we might be late to that game, I know that we will take the game to a whole new level.
Loved all the straight talk (dot, not feather)! As it should be.
Scott - That game sounds good to me. I guess people love to bitch.
As for Denmark, that’s great! We should steal their idea.
Bridget - Yeah, this guy who wrote the article really got under my skin. Pretty much implying India is better than America. Then how come NOBODY wants to move to India?
Clothosfate - Oh, fo shizzle. This stupid war really damaged our economy, and of course, let’s not forget got 4000+ Americans killed and I’m not sure how many Canadians as well. It’s really a strain, and we’ll be feeling it for years. But we’ll recover. I’m confident in that.
Tchoden - Too bad you guys are taking cues from Bollywood. That industry is crap. It’s unfortunate they’ve influenced anyone.
I’ve searched for your blog, but glad you came by because you moved.
nah! having said that i think our film industry has a uniqueness of its own and way much cooler.
I forwarded your tips of saving money to my freinds. I think its very useful.
all I can add is “and move” to the last paragraph!
Good post.
Sage - Thanks.
Tchoden - That’s good. Their film industry is so bad. I can’t stomach watching that trash.
Oh, wanted to add, Korea does have some fine film as well. They steal a lot of ideas from Japan, but their movies are still head and shoulders above Bollywood.
I’ll see if I can pick up some Bhutanese film out here. Not very likely. I may have to dig for it.
My parents are always accusing me of being un-American because I don’t wholeheartedly support the policies of “St Bush”. I try to explain that I hate Bush’s policies because I LOVE our country AND our CONSTITUTION!
Tshsmom - Exactly! Bush is an idiot. He doesn’t know what he’s doing, and actually doing a lot of damage. But in America, you have the God-given Right to challenge your Reps.
i like the way you defend your country, true, America is great. You are right about old Europe, I just don’t agree about political correctness, i think it is not better in America.
And I wouldn’t trust the Japanese as much as you do if I were you.
Besides the US and India, Korea is the only other country that has more domestic films than foreign films. Have you seen Old Boy? It’s the best Korean movie I’ve seen although I heard it was taken from a Japanese story. As for Bollywood, India’s biggest star still lives and works in Springfield.
Totally agree. Although I don’t watch much bollywood stuff and I don’t consider what we produce in the way of film to be one of our greatest shining achievements.
Ben O.
Ben O - Most of what we produce is crap. But we produce four solid films a year. Bollywood produces less than one solid film a year.
Skeletor - No, I’ll have to look it up. A lot of the Korean movies I’ve seen had stolen directorial styles from Japan. The thing is, they do a good job at it.
Kitem - They like my music. That’s probably why we get along so well.
great post ZS, I do fear China a little bit because let’s face it their overdue for a revolution. Let’s start accepting all those sex-starved (yes I mean that literally) men, thanks to Chinas doomed 1 kid policy and have them start contributing to social security. I may cringe about some of the things that has happened in America in the present and the past but still its the best place in the world to live by a wide margin. Unless Obama gets elected. But we may even be able to survive that because we are a smart innovative, motivated bunch of people. Like the one Titus line from a stand up, “before we invade these middle eastern countries we should airdrop them tv’s and give them cable no satellite and have them turn to ESPN2. Watch the funny cars, monster trucks, and tractor pulls. We do this shit because were bored. Now imagine if you piss us off, what could we create?” I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Ben - I’m not worried about Obama. He’ll be a lame duck President within 2 years. Mark my words.
Maybe with a revolution, they may end up being our friend instead of hating us. I’d love to see it happen. Then they might even win their Freedom back and be more like us.
I would say leave America if it’s so damn bad. have worms and intestinal flu. Die of malaria. have those worms that grow in your legs. Get shot for saying the President sucks. Oh, I forgot, not everybody has freedom of choice.
I’ll take America any day. I can walk down the street and not get shot by the government.
The only thing cool about Obama being the President is, he’s the first ever black to be the president. For me, its quite amusing to see that usa never have a black or a women president up untill now (considering the fact that it was one of the first to introduce democracy). But than again, you had slavery abolish only after 50 decades of it and women’s right to vote only 100 years after that (just rough figures).
I wonder how the new commender in chief can clean up the mess your country is in at the moment. It is easy to make promises but to deliver them, it’ll take support and huge initiative. Like you said, i hope he doesn’t become a lame duck in 2 years.
Personally i hate the other guy in republic, he’s bald and he’s ideas are outragious (in a very bad way).
Kate - No wonder you get along with Sage.
Tchoden - The way to clean it up is simple - get us out of this war and cut spending. We’ll see if Obama does either. If McCain gets us into Iran, we’re going to have an even worse economic mess.
Interesting article but I share none of your optimism for the USA. Since we have decided not to chose our immigrants, our nation is being overrun by poorly educated people. The result puts a heavy burdon on social services because they pay little in taxes. Our cities now our hopelessly overpopulated and will get worse. As far as China and India, their pollution will keep their quality of life down. There are not enough resources in the world to get even half of their populations to our standard of living.
Global warming within several decades will cause our societies chaos as the coastal cities will be under water. Humans I am afraid our too self-centered and ignorant to take the steps necessary to control our populations and to avert global warming. As proof, look at what the republican party has just done to our first legislative step to arrest global warming.
I am concerned like many others that some republican crackpot loony will deal with the left wing Obama in a similar manner as the late Kennedy brothers, it is definitely on the cards.
BTW. Did you embark on your trip(*vacation) to Turkey?….*new canuk word.
Geopax - We need to control illegal immigration. That’s a given. I’ve always said overpopulation is the biggest problem in the world - the cause for all war, poverty, etc.
I think by 2012, Americans will get their heads out of their asses and do something serious about illegal immigration.
Vest - No, I ended up using that money investing in a company. I’m hoping it pays off. We’ll see.
“India on the other hand never had a history of innovation”
I just read an interesting article on this yesterday, by an Indian guy who is a tech and media guru and he makes the same claim. It was about invention and India,and many other countries, just don’t have it. They copy. Replicaters are never leaders.
I’m liking your blog way too much… I don’t like spending all my time reading things that I agree with. That makes you stale and pompous in your thinking - and end up just ‘A set of pompous attitudes, with all the humanity removed’ (from a Patrick O’Brian book.).
However, sometimes I just need to breathe some fresh air after the foetid fare served up in most blogs… So I’m glad to have stumbled across your blog…
I am a Libertarian, but I always find myself saying “I am a Libertarian, but…” But what? But a lot of damn things, just like every Libertarian I know.
So how the heck are we EVER going to build a platform? There must be some things that we can compromise on… Compromise is the only way we will ever move forward.
JACC - I’ll give credit where it’s due. They’re good at what they do. They just do nothing original. They’re good copiers though.
I think the reason why that guy got under my skin is how he reveled in the demise of America, and used Bollywood as an example. Bollywood is the most untalented crap on the planet, making American Idol look intelligent.
Sure, most of Hollywood is crap, but we still manage to put out four solid films a year.
When it comes to computers, India has invented nothing, absolutely nothing. All those engineers and nothing original to show for it.
Wallflower - Yeah, I know. I really hate doing it.
I can’t answer your question because in life, I’ve compromised very little. I think the average Libertarian is too intelligent for their own good. We spout off fact after fact, and end up boring the rest of the country to tears.
The Republicrats on the other hand spit out vagueness, smile a lot, and shake a lot of hands, while saying very little. It’s a lot more effective that way.
The Libertarian party will always have a following among intellectuals, but needs to figure out how to get votes from Joe and Jane American.
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16 June 2008
If It’s Size That Counts… Come into my garden of love..Or was it Wishful Thinking.
ONE of my hobbies includes the growing of exotic and expensive vegetables, mainly for our own family use. However, one not too exotic and easy to grow veg is the Oriental Radish, its flesh is not as pungent to the taste as the smaller red & white up to 60mm variety and they tend to mature quickly within a period of 8 to 10 weeks. According to the legend on the seed packet, these Oriental Radishes will grow to a length of 30cm and attain a diametor of 45mm which I am able to confirm; although some of these only attain runt size about that of a large carrot. At the present time there will be at least two weeks to wait for the next crop to reach maturity.On Tuesday June 3, Rosemary and I went shopping(pain in the arse and aching limbs from walking on those hard sup/mark floors), after our reg stop at the grog shop our last port of call was the massive (feast your eyes) on the largest variety of fruit vegies known to mankind storeAthough the consumption of animals various still forms part of our diet, I in particular have a penchant for a variety of vegies to be included, in most cases up to seven varieties per day chosen from possibly twenty or more.Then I saw them, several bunches of them, yep they were Oriental radishes alright, couldn’t believe my eyes, the size of them was hard to believe, they all exceeded the proportions of those on my seed packet.Waitng in line at the checkout for several minutes with my large bunch of Oriental radishes created smiles and several guarded comments from ladies also waiting to be served.Then the gorgeous checkout chick; not to be outdone by the others, flashed her eyes and smiled stating ‘Crikey they are huge’, causing more titters from the waiting customers.But then the waiting ladies burst out into uncontrollable laughter when I replied to The checkout chick.
“I Wish I could get mine to grow as large as these”.
A red faced vest exits the store amid more laughter.
True story by vest.
please stop hibernating:)
Vest - replied on your blog
Tchoden - I’m back.