Do You Hate Western Civilization?

[Xen]

how could one not love western history and culture, after all calgacus is right(even if i disagree with him on alexander)
the wester world is unsurpassed in scientific achievement, and the utilization of science for the (general) benifit of mankind, sure there have been mistakes, all cultures have them on there record, the western world is no differnt, after all just look at what the west has given us- democracy, republics(and the modern mixtuer of the two)modern transportation, a none (primarilly, but still a little) valuble metal based wealth system, the coolest looking helmets ever in the case of Greece and Rome(i love to helmets, there awsome...)and a plethora of other things

 

[Xen]

at the end i meant "those" nstead of "to".....

 

[Panda]

Just the crappy parts of it, like Michael Jackson and Gender Equality. Mostly I'm content with it.

@Xen: That 'edit' button actually works.

 

[Knight-Dragon]

Overpublished, and overrated. But sometimes interesting all the same. Sometimes.

But that's the way the world is.

 

[ApocalypseKurtz]

I voted for the third option. I love my country, and the west is a great, free place to live, but at the same time we can do much better. And we have; in the past things were worse.

By the way, interesting to note that no one has chosen the first option yet. Where are all those "America-hating liberals" you speak of?

 

[Pangur Bán]

Originally posted by ApocalypseKurtz

By the way, interesting to note that no one has chosen the first option yet. Where are all those "America-hating liberals" you speak of?

Obviously not voting on CFC. I think that providing the options that I did, with option 3, has meant that no reasonable person would vote option 1. Most people, when presented with an opportunity to think about something, will shy away from positions on the extreme.

 

[ApocalypseKurtz]

Originally posted by calgacus

Obviously not voting on CFC. I think that providing the options that I did, with option 3, has meant that no reasonable person would vote option 1. Most people, when presented with an opportunity to think about something, will shy away from positions on the extreme.

Good point about people not voting for the extreme option when given a chance to think. Yet in my opinion the liberals here do not "hate Western Civilization" as many people seem to think. They just don't like what many of of the West's leaders have done. They like the vast majority of people from western countries. They disagree with many of their governments' policies.

 

[cgannon64]

I'm generally disilliousioned by the west. We COULD do a lot better, don't you think?

 

[Switch625]

Civilization (not the game) is made up of people, and people suck. That's a given. But with much of the rest of the world doing their best to adopt and adapt western culture, I'd say we have a winning combination.

 

[Greadius]

Originally posted by ApocalypseKurtz
They like the vast majority of people from western countries. They disagree with many of their governments' policies.

Somehow this rings as a hollow distinction in democratic socities.

Its kind of silly to say "I hate your governments policies" when you support those policies, its kind of like saying "I hate your politics", which is, of course, not the same as hatred towards the individual, but if you base your relationship on the political community (like in international relations, when personal contacts between citizens of nations don't define relationships between countries), it is tantamount to saying "I hate every relationship that exists between me and your people"

Originally posted by cgannon64
I'm generally disilliousioned by the west. We COULD do a lot better, don't you think?

What makes you believe that?

 

[amadeus]

I'd sure like to know who voted "yes" and see if they can give a reason why (one that isn't really stupid, I mean...)

 

[Darkness]

Off course I don't hate it, I'm part of it....

 

[Immortal]

(one that isn't really stupid, I mean...)

good luck finding one of those.

 

[D' Artagnan]

I voted no although I don't like the "blessing on the World" expression...

 

[smalltalk]

What has made the West so great the past 250 years?
An open, tolerant society, freedom of speech and fierce and reciprocal criticism of political and scientific ideas.

I am well aware of the problems, the flaws, the dismal and depressing failures of a system which promises freedom, justice and plenty for all, but has fallen so far short of that ideal. It has succeeded far better than any other culture since we left the caves, but by the new standards we have set for ourselves, it is a poor record indeed. One worthy of much criticism.

It takes great wisdom, maturity, and force of will to overcome ingrained human egotism and say -- "Hey, I can fool myself! I might even be wrong, from time to time."

But where, if not in the west, are people able to add -- "Instead of retreating into ourselves, let's try taking the problem apart into little pieces, see where I'm wrong, where you're wrong, and where we both may wind up being surprised."

And never before have leaders of nations, commanders of armies, had to accept the fact that they routinely will be objects of critique, even ridicule.

Name one other culture in history that ever spread hyper tolerance myths like Steven Spielberg's movie E.T., in which a generation of children were taught -- "If you ever encounter a weird stranger from an alien race, by all means, hide him from your own people's freely elected tribal elders!"


http://hsv.com/editorials/davidbrin/dbrin2.htm

 

[123joanna321]

No, we could do a LOT better, so I'll stay in Canada, where the USA, the EU, and the Middle East meet! (Sound off 'Oh Canada')

 

[Shaitan]

The West? Heck yeah. Rolling blackouts, earthquakes, the Leftist Republic of San Francisco, Microsoft. The West is awful!

 

[cgannon64]

Originally posted by Greadius
What makes you believe that?

You really think 1% of the nation owning 90% of the wealth is the best we can do? You really think x many wars in the 20th century is the best we can do? You really think one of the highest gun-death rate in the world is the best we can do? You really think being one of the stupidest country in the world (school-wise) is the best we can do?

 

[thestonesfan]

Originally posted by cgannon64
You really think 1% of the nation owning 90% of the wealth is the best we can do?

Better than the government owning 100%!

You really think x many wars in the 20th century is the best we can do?

The wars of this century have been fought to defend western ideals. Duh.

You really think one of the highest gun-death rate in the world is the best we can do?

Is this something you really worry about? The numbers come from inner-city violence. When people shoot at each other in childish gang warfare, people tend to get shot. I'm crying a river.

You really think being one of the stupidest country in the world (school-wise) is the best we can do?

Okay, lets start fixing this right here. It should go "...being one of the stupidest COUNTRIES in the world..."

 

[ApocalypseKurtz]

Originally posted by Greadius
Somehow this rings as a hollow distinction in democratic socities.
Its kind of silly to say "I hate your governments policies" when you support those policies, its kind of like saying "I hate your politics", which is, of course, not the same as hatred towards the individual, but if you base your relationship on the political community (like in international relations, when personal contacts between citizens of nations don't define relationships between countries), it is tantamount to saying "I hate every relationship that exists between me and your people"

What?

People disagree about politics all the time, and yet can still get along together. Some of my best friends have political beliefs that are the complete opposite of mine. Lots of democratic senators and republicans senators spend time together and are close friends outside of politics.