Real World

[TylerDurdon]

It is because of these bias statements from users, like Zombie69, that it is almost unbearable to even have a good conversation on these forums: everything is either the corrupt USA or the pure Europeans/Canadians. It is not all black and white in this world and though many people doubt, there is still some morality and decency in the USA (i.e. the other half of the population who didn't vote for Bush).

Canadians are no better... they are going to elect a conservative to power... people are people no matter what the damn country!!!

 

[Sahkuhnder]

Why must we assume the winner need be a civ at all?

Bill Gates personal wealth exceeds the annual gross domestic product of many small nations. If he got together with a few dozen like-minded types...

How about a corporate victor? I'm still fond of Monty Python's 'Very Big Corporation of America'. Uneasy laugh? What ever happened to your favorite little store? Never mind, I heard Wal-Mart had the new Microsoft software on sale! Yes, we can stop at McDonalds on the way if you're good.

Corporations influencing government policy? When did this type of thing start?

Really now, who does end up with your paycheck? To me that's who's winning.

 

[MjM]

California, Domination.

Give it time folks, Ahnuld will take the world over.

Eaughh.

 

[mjs0]

Europe has limitations on free speech? What was the country that grabs people without trial and tortures 'm again?

You are confused about civil rights, as many other posters in this thread have been. Here, you mix up the right to a speedy and fair trial and the right to be free from cruel or unusual punishment with free speech rights. America's free speech laws remain among the most liberal in the world, and are more expansive than those in Europe.

Unfortunately these things are not separate. Free speech laws are of little value if you suspect that exercising your right to free speech could get you grabbed without trial and tortured!

Note: I am speaking as someone who grew up in the UK but married an American (no not for the green card :shakehead) and has now lived in the US for over a decade.

There is legislation in the UK that outlaws certain types of extreme speech that is legal here in the US. What is not apparent at first glance is the tolerance of 'the people' for that free speech in practice.
I always felt in the UK that I could say pretty much anything and most average people even if they disagreed would argue and disagree in a reasonable manner and your opinions would be respected. (Of course this is a generalization, if you are going to tell a group of Tottenham supporters that Arsenal are the better team you may want to be prepared to run!)
My experience here in the US is that even though in theory you are permitted to have free speech the exercise of that right is restricted by very subtle forms of social intimidation and implied consequences. You only have to look back to the excesses of the McCarthy era to see how little protection the free speech laws here give you when they really are out to get you.
In summary, I may have had a few more minor restrictions in the UK, but at the end of the day I felt freer (is that a word) there in every meaningful sense than I ever have in the US. I should add that I love both countries and my remarks here are honest opinions as part of a debate and not intended to insult or bash anyone.

By the way I do feel that the US does have a very distinct culture from the rest of the English speaking world. I could give many examples, but one that is very obvous is sports. A cursory look at the structure of major US sports reveals fundamental differences; the way new players are typically nurtured and acquired through the college system and acquired in annual drafts rather than scouted and recruited then brought on by individual clubs is just one example of this. It results, again in my opinion, in a fundamentally different feel to sports and to the way fans relate to, support and follow sports teams.

On the subject of the real world as a game of Civ, it is hard for me to see anyone close to winning a meaningful victory. If timed victory (I never play with this) is on my guess would be that China's continuity, population and land area will give them the largest score in 2050.

 

[me_Barb]

I can't believe this thread is still living. It's quite clear that the real winner will be Cockroaches. With the next Ice age coming and we systematicly trying to kill ourselves the human race is doomed. Darn its - 25 outside and my butt is freezing. Curse you Bush and co for not adopting Kyoto . Nature is going to kill us all sooner ot later. And no matter what some crazy overconfident people think it is a force beyond our control.
money hungry capitalistic scum. I can't believe there are actually people in high places who don't think about the future after the next profit report. Responsibility is at an all time low among the leaders of Man. We are doomed I tell you, doomed.

 

[BLOODYBATTLEBRA]

I'm far more interested in what civics they're running.

 

[warpus]

European Union & United States
Perm. Alliance
Diplomatic Victory

 

[GIO888]

Nature! Mother Gaia is presently fine-tuning the virus of our destruction, because she doesn't like any of her offspring upsetting the balance.

mjsO!! Run from Tottenham? You've been away TOO long!

 

[me_Barb]

We've all been lied too. This is not Earth but Alpha Centauri and the mind worms are comming. We now just get Hurricanes, extreme cold, drought and desert heat. Just wait till mother Nature decides to get nasty and brings up the heavy biological artilery. . WE should be going for the Ascent to Transcendence scientific victory but instead the world bloodthirsy leaders are all going for Domination. We SMAC people all know where that leads. Mind worm food.

 

[OwenShadd2006]

US couldnt conquer the world, no one nation could. None has both the technology ANd the insane amount of manpower that would be required to hold the entire world under its control. Now if all the north american nations combined into an empire, THEY would win a combination victory. Canada(for it's land and infrastrucutre, not saying they have a powerfull army, but they are on par with the US tech wise), the US, Britain and S America all combined under one emporer. HA that would kickass! We'd totally ahnialate everything.

 

[moggydave]

im saying mongolia domination victory

or modern day: australia diplomatic are there any countries who hate aus?

actually even more likely: britain domination (1/4 of worlds pop)

 

[Odin2006]

We were going for both Cultural and Diplomatic victories, but Emperor Chimpy Bush screwed that up.

Oh, and I am really annoyed when Euros bash US culture. Quit the snobbery.

 

[malclave]

there is still some morality and decency in the USA (i.e. the other half of the population who didn't vote for Bush).

I voted for Bush in 2004 because there was nobody else running for President... nobody could give me a single reason to vote FOR Kerry when I asked.

And, because of who I voted for, you classify me as immoral and indecent?

Screw you too.

 

[malclave]

Emperor Chimpy Bush screwed that up.

Yeah, no wonder you advertise DU in your sig. The group whose members were writing that they hoped a conservative public figure who had been diagnosed with breast cancer would die a painful death. Mrs. Edwards was able to get you pathetic idiots to show some humanity briefly, but then your true nature took over and you reverted to your hatred again, which is all you have going for you. Then, finally, your mods deleted the posts when they came to the attention of some right-wing blogs and you couldn't stand to have your true opinions exposed to the world.

Get a clue, and think for yourself instead of having DU and Kos tell you what flavor to drink.

 

[Percinho]

Now if all the north american nations combined into an empire, THEY would win a combination victory. Canada(for it's land and infrastrucutre, not saying they have a powerfull army, but they are on par with the US tech wise), the US, Britain and S America all combined under one emporer. HA that would kickass! We'd totally ahnialate everything.

Woah there! Easy Tiger! Britian is not quite a North American nation yet! Thgouh I'm sure if President Blair could find a way to deatch us and float us accross the Atlantic to be near his buddy Bush then he'd have a go at it...

Oh, and I am really annoyed when Euros bash US culture. Quit the snobbery.

And for my part, I wasn't bashing US culture, merely saying it's not been in existance long enough to claim a cultural victory. I can't speak for all the others though...

 

[Percinho]

By the way I do feel that the US does have a very distinct culture from the rest of the English speaking world. I could give many examples, but one that is very obvous is sports. A cursory look at the structure of major US sports reveals fundamental differences; the way new players are typically nurtured and acquired through the college system and acquired in annual drafts rather than scouted and recruited then brought on by individual clubs is just one example of this. It results, again in my opinion, in a fundamentally different feel to sports and to the way fans relate to, support and follow sports teams.

I think the other major difference in sports is that the US runs it as a franchise system. The teams don't grow organically from a local team into a national team like, say, Wimbledon. It's a far more commerce driven thing. If a team's not bringing in enough revenue then it gets shipped wholesale to another city. The whole structure of American sports is based on a marketing philosophy. Give the worst teams the best players to keep things competative, revenues split evenly etc etc.

Personally, I prefer a league ladder system whereby if you finish last you get relegated, not rewarded with the best new player. Still, horses for courses...

 

[me_Barb]

From the looks of things USA can't even conquer Mexico if it tried. The mexicans will be so happy that the troops will be ordered to actually keep em away from the US or else very soon you'll have an all volunteer army of Mexicans.. The mexicans are sooo willing. Bush should have tried conquering them and the Flower victory parade was a shure thing. Of course the real winner would have been the Mexicans then.

 

[BLOODYBATTLEBRA]

Acutally I think the US could conquer teh world. If it decided to dominate, and exterminated the populations of host countries. they have the firepower, technology, money and more than enough men to do it, IF they decided to be conquerors, like the Mongols, instead of 'regime changers'...

Sure they'd be loads of ground roots resistance, but as the US could monopolise satellite technology, and probably freeze the internet too, these annoyances would remain at ground level. The better organised might even ahve radios, but the US is more than capable of occupying the areas it wants, and elaching the resources, if it so chose.


And what if the US adopted mercantilism??? Hah, that'd be a huge economic F*ck you to the rest of the world....

My only criticisms are that the US says one thing and does another, or just plain out lies (Iraq was under false pretences, i.e. lies, regardless of what greater good may come out of that) but then again, we Brits do that to, and so does everyone else infact.


Just that, we;'re not claiming to be the bastion of freedom or whatever.We're honest liars!!

 

[Zombie69]

Canadians are no better... they are going to elect a conservative to power... people are people no matter what the damn country!!!

Indeed they did yesterday. I'm no longer proud to be Canadian...

 

[Zombie69]

im saying mongolia domination victory

or modern day: australia diplomatic are there any countries who hate aus?

actually even more likely: britain domination (1/4 of worlds pop)

Bin Laden and Al-Qaida (and many people in Middle Eastern countries) don't like Australia too much. Their close involvment with the USA nowadays (war in Iraq, anti-Kyoto) puts a few people off.