Oprah's "World 101" Course

[Darkman]

Uh.. how many of you even watched Oprah's show today?

Now I didn't watch the entire show myself, but from what I saw I think her guests actually presented some valid points. I don't think it is at all unreasonable to describe the United States as arrogant, greedy, self-centered, gluttonous, and ignorant (at least towards things that happen outside the US). We are all those things. Look them up in the dictionary.

And I highly doubt that Jerry Springer, as entertaining as he is, is a *primary* source of information about American society and culture for any foreign country. For example, do we form our views of the Japanese based on crap like "All your base are belong to us"? American publications like Time Magazine are not restricted to our eyes only, not to mention this little information resource known as the Internet...

Regardless, I find it interesting how so many of you are quick to dismiss what Oprah's show put on the table, especially since I doubt many of you even watched the thing... Is it that Oprah has no credibility or that the notion that what was said might actually have some merit?

[Lord of Alcohol]

Originally posted by Attalus: quote: Originally posted by Lord of Alcohol: Mongo no understand

"Mongo's not really a who, more of an what."-Gene Wilder

"Telegram for Mr. Mongo, thelegram for Mr. Mongo."-Cleavon Little

"Naw, Mongo straight." - Alex Karras[/QUOTE]Attalus you get me every time! *leans sideways* BRAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP hey nobody even pulled my finger!

[Epona]

Mmmmm, just wondering how much the people on here know about other cultures, I bet you base a lot of it on limited experience and TV shows - for example, some people may jump to the conclusion that all us Brits love the Queen cos they talked to a couple of ex-pats about it once....

[Lord of Alcohol]

Originally posted by Epona: Mmmmm, just wondering how much the people on here know about other cultures, I bet you base a lot of it on limited experience and TV shows - for example, some people may jump to the conclusion that all us Brits love the Queen cos they talked to a couple of ex-pats about it once....

You dont love the queen? I think she's HOT [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Epona]

Originally posted by Lord of Alcohol: quote: Originally posted by Epona: Mmmmm, just wondering how much the people on here know about other cultures, I bet you base a lot of it on limited experience and TV shows - for example, some people may jump to the conclusion that all us Brits love the Queen cos they talked to a couple of ex-pats about it once....

You dont love the queen? I think she's HOT [img]tongue.gif[/img] [/QUOTE]LOL!!!! You are welcome to her... enjoy her, but you'll have to 'entertain' her corgis too you know!

[Lord of Alcohol]

Do you know what escort service the queen works for? And do they charge extra for the corgi's?

Originally posted by Epona: Mmmmm, just wondering how much the people on here know about other cultures, I bet you base a lot of it on limited experience and TV shows - for example, some people may jump to the conclusion that all us Brits love the Queen cos they talked to a couple of ex-pats about it once....

Actually I got the idea that the Queen was respected and well thought of, from several hundred Royal Navy and Royal Airforce types that I happened to spend time with in the 80's [img]smile.gif[/img] I guess I got a very slanted view. I do admit my mistake though, since you and Donut and some others very kindly set me straight

[Timber Loftis]

Well, I like the Queen Mum for one. How could you not? She was so. . . Queen-like. Besides, those shots of her beside Churchill waving for victory from the palace. What a historical treasure.

Perhaps that's what's nice about the British Royalty. Presidents, Congresses, and Parliments come and go much faster than nobles, due to the whole life-tenure thing. Even though there is no power in them now, they are always a real way to connect to the past.

Originally posted by Darkman: Uh.. how many of you even watched Oprah's show today? Now I didn't watch the entire show myself, but from what I saw I think her guests actually presented some valid points. I don't think it is at all unreasonable to describe the United States as arrogant, greedy, self-centered, gluttonous, and ignorant (at least towards things that happen outside the US). We are all those things. Look them up in the dictionary. Speak for youself Kimo Sabe [img]smile.gif[/img] Trying to paint all americans with one description is not going to work, just like you can't say that all French people are snooty and that all Brits have bad teeth or that all germans are efficient. Stereotypes only fit to a certain extent, not all inclusively. And I highly doubt that Jerry Springer, as entertaining as he is, is a *primary* source of information about American society and culture for any foreign country. For example, do we form our views of the Japanese based on crap like "All your base are belong to us"? American publications like Time Magazine are not restricted to our eyes only, not to mention this little information resource known as the Internet... Nice theory but you wouldn't know. Neither would I. But I will say there is no majority of people accessing the Internet to form their world views. There are far more people without access than with. If Im not mistaken "all your base are belong to us" is a Korean translation product...I know it wasn't japan but cant remember the correct country. Regardless, I find it interesting how so many of you are quick to dismiss what Oprah's show put on the table, especially since I doubt many of you even watched the thing... Is it that Oprah has no credibility or that the notion that what was said might actually have some merit?

Actually, I didn't see too much bashing of Opra's show as I did see people commenting on the ideas that were presented in the opening post of this thread. No need to get all defensive for Oprah here, Im sure she doesnt care a whit what a bunch of people on the net say about her.

Originally posted by The Hierophant: Heh, I wouldn't take it to heart folks (and for thye most part it doesn't seem like you are anyway). Some people just like to complain. It's essentially just tall-poppy syndrome where the 'underdogs' like to take pot-shots at those who are a little more 'influential' so to speak. The fact is, most people who run off at the mouth complaining about how much the don't like a particular group of people (be them called 'Americans', 'Europeans', 'Israelis', 'Arabs', whatever) don't really have any concrete reasons or information to base their gross generalizations of dislike upon. It's just complaining for the sake of complaining. Sheer ridiculousness.

I really agree with you strongly here, and I just love your turn of phrase [img]smile.gif[/img] Tall-Poppy [img]smile.gif[/img] hehe I have neverheard that before. Do you know where it comes form and exactly what it means? I like it [img]smile.gif[/img]