January 08, 2004
This rather silly post has generated comments far more serious than the post itself. The post deals with anti-American comments made by American celebrities, but the comments turned into more of a U.S. vs. Europe smackdown. I understand why some people have very strong opinions due to the differences between the two regions, but the arguments have been primarily based on what each region has produced or invented. In my mind, this is problematic for three reasons:
- Ultimately, each individual person has intrinsic value. It is not derived from their gender, their race or their nationality. The Chinese Communist, the French Socialist and the Democratic American; each has value to their family and friends.
- Invention and innovation provide a very poor measuring stick because they are time contingent. There was a time when Europe was leading the world in scientific development (and the U.S. was not in existance). In more recent years, the economy of the United States has propelled them into the lead in Research and Development. It makes no sense to compare the U.S. developments of the late 1900's with the French developments of the late 1700's.
- Innovation almost always builds upon a prior innovation. Some American innovation may build on a prior British discovery, which was based on an Italian invention. Albert Einstein provided the brain power for many key discoveries but which nation gets credit for those? He was in the United States for a very productive portion of his life but he was born in Germany.
Preservation
I really appreciate the way that culture is preserved in Europe. Ruins and buildings remain from the Roman times, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. So many of the cultures are full of traditions which continue to be passed down from generation to generation. Each country feels like a distinct entity despite their size and close proximity to their neighbors.
With more time, I'm sure I could have come up with many more. I would invite you do to the same in the comments, toward which ever region you are not a part of. If you just have a sarcastic remark to make, I would suggest just keeping it to yourself.
I really appreciate the way that culture is preserved in Europe. Ruins and buildings remain from the Roman times, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. So many of the cultures are full of traditions which continue to be passed down from generation to generation. Each country feels like a distinct entity despite their size and close proximity to their neighbors.
Globalism
I'm not a globalist by any means, but I appreciate how many Europeans try to be aware of what is going on in the world. (Their information is sometimes very flawed but I will give them credit for trying.) A vast number of the people there are bi- or tri-lingual, while most Americans do not look beyond their own borders and learn only one language their whole lives.
