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As I've stated many times, this is all a predictable part of human nature. On a world scale, America is a very 'evolved' society. Having long ago solved mankind's basic need of food and shelter, we now have the leisure time to 'sit around and whine'. Don't mean to sound 'trite', but it's true. The 'human animal' seems to operate best when under some sort of pressure..like the pressure to feed and clothe oneself. When that 'pressure' goes away. people tend to go off on ever more silly 'tangents', and to seek out other ways of being 'pressured'..
So today, we have a 'modern' culture, in which it's entirely possible to eat and survive without ever having to work....or to work, but at a meaningless 'service' job, rather than at providing anything vital. In that scenario, we look for ways to give us something real and tangible to 'struggle' toward...and for some people, this takes the form of coming up with reasons to hate the obviously free and affluent society in which they live. Maybe it's a way of deflecting any guilt for our affluence, when others have problems so much more desperate...like figuring out where their next meal will come from....(assuming, of course, that there IS a 'next meal').
As I've stated many timesw, this is all a predictable part of human nature. On a world scale, America is a very 'evolved' society. Having long ago solved mankind's basic need of food and shelter, we now have the leisure time to 'sit around and whine'. Don't mean to sound 'trite', but it's true. The 'human animal' seems to operate best when under some sort of pressure..like the pressure to feed and clothe oneself. When the 'pressure' goes away. people tend to go off on ever more silly 'tangents'.
So today, we have a 'modern' culture, in which it's entirely possible to eat and survive without ever having to work....or to work, but at a meaningless 'service' job, rather than anything vital. In that scenario, we look for ways to give us something realo and tangible to 'struggle' toward...and for some people, this takes the form of coming up with reasons to hate the obviously free and affluent society in which they live. Maybe it's a way of deflecting any guilt for our affluence, when others have problems so much more desperate...like figuring out where their next meal will come from....
Has anyone else noticed how many people declare their hatred for America but yet continue to live here?
The easiest way to destroy something is from the inside. Just look at the ACLU and other groups. America can be much better than what it is with prosperity for everyone, and it can do that without murdering heads of state, or overthrowing governments, or invading countries, or using coercion, or the threat of force or economically enslaving others.
or to work, but at a meaningless 'service' job, rather than at providing anything vital.
Pardon my picking this out, but I have to ask..."meaningless" in who's eyes? "Vital" in what respect? Do we all have to be doctors or rocket scientists to have a meaningful life? Your comments smack of a bit of elitism.
Pardon my picking this out, but I have to ask..."meaningless" in who's eyes? "Vital" in what respect? Do we all have to be doctors or rocket scientists to have a meaningful life? Your comments smack of a bit of elitism.
Not elitist at all...simply a comment on human nature. All of us, I think, want to at least FEEL like we're doing something tangible...doing 'our part' if you will. A person who grows food....or who builds houses....or as you say, who is a doctor....can obviously see that his JOB is benefitting his fellow man. He can get a direct sense of 'helping others' simply by showing up for work.
But what about a casino Blackjack dealer? Or a clerk in a Blockbuster video store? Or a dog groomer, or a 'golf pro', or a yacht broker? What do these jobs "do" as far as providing vital services? The answer of course, is that they don't..ALL of these jobs are things we could easily 'do without',....and increasingly, all of us in this society will be doing more and more jobs which are not really 'vital' at all...and thus we'll have to find that type of satisfaction elsewhere...if we CAN.
The 'human animal' doesn't change. WE have the same basic psychological needs as we did 1000 years ago. We want to accomplish something, and we want to do good for others. Increasingly, it's getting harder and harder to 'see' this in our lives....that's really my point.
But what about a casino Blackjack dealer? Or a clerk in a Blockbuster video store? Or a dog groomer, or a 'golf pro', or a yacht broker? What do these jobs "do" as far as providing vital services? The answer of course, is that they don't..ALL of these jobs are things we could easily 'do without',....and increasingly, all of us in this society will be doing more and more jobs which are not really 'vital' at all...and thus we'll have to find that type of satisfaction elsewhere...if we CAN.
Well, I guess I look at it from a different perspective. This country provides us with two capabilities that many do not. First, we can choose to be a blackjack dealer if that's what we want to do and brings us satisfaction, regardless of what the government or anyone thinks is "vital". Second, if we work hard and make the sacrifices, we can become a doctor or a nuclear scientist, if those are the things to which we aspire. We're limited only by our vision and hard work.
In some countries the choices are limited by the government, custom, your level in society, money, or a combination of those things. Sure, there are people making minimum wage at dead end jobs in the US... but did they work hard enough at another goal? They can complain that the US sucks, but in reality it may be their own laziness and lack of ambition that led them to where they are.
There are many examples in the US of people with the drive and ambition, who put aside the instant gratification many of us seek, and achieved greatness. Those same choices and opportunities are not available in many other countries.
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