rehmwa 2 #51 January 23, 2012 QuoteWell since Germany is a federal state, like the US, . sure, if politically defined only - even if it would all fit into just one of our bigger states or large regions try this on for size - culturally, in terms of diversity/dialects/size, etc, would you say the Netherlands is more like Utah/New Hampshire/Maine? or more like the entire US or China? I have a much more legitimate argument to take anything you say and pretend everybody in your country has those same bias, then you would to me but we'd both be wrong - your prejudices are unfounded you can sit there, with more of a chance to be surrounded by people that look like you, talk like you, have the same education, same environment, etc etc etc, and seriously feel comfortable about accusing others of lack of sophistication in understanding about sensitivity with people different than them? ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #52 January 23, 2012 Quote>Besides I don't think I ever made the mistake to think of all American states as being the same. Title of the thread: "Utah never ceases to make me go - WTF!" Your comment: "Since the "niggardly controversy" it's clear you guys are the world leaders in PC hysteria. " well, clearly he's only talking about Utahoeans (Utahans?, Utanians, Utahweiacs?) Here's the funny part: Most of us state, "wow, this school board is really messed up" that board is the INDIVIDUALS that actually made the screwed up action. That's pretty much how most of us swing. I don't doubt that most of the citizens in Utah consider this one school's actions to be stupid too But the same usual suspects keep throwing out their biases and find it self validating "Utah" is messed up "America" is messed up "Democrats" are messed up "Republicans" are messed up etc etc etc generality - in a country based on individualism don't be surprised we reply strongly when others try to put the citizens into little narrowly defined stereotyped bins ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marinus 0 #53 January 23, 2012 QuoteBesides I don't think I ever made the mistake to think of all American states as being the same. Quote"Since the "niggardly controversy" it's clear you guys are the world leaders in PC hysteria. " And those two statements are conflicting because..... ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #54 January 23, 2012 >And those two statements are conflicting because.... Because Utah =/= US. You might want to think twice before calling someone ignorant if you do the same thing yourself. (It is, however, a most excellent example of Skitt's Law.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marinus 0 #55 January 23, 2012 Quotetry this on for size - culturally, in terms of diversity/dialects/size, etc, would you say the Netherlands is more like Utah/New Hampshire/Maine? or more like the entire US or China? NL has 2 official indigenous languages that can be divided into 21 distinct dialects. Some of those (Dutch) dialects are so unlike my (standard) Dutch that I have trouble understanding them, one I can hardly understand. Linguistically we're very diverse, especially if you take our size in consideration. So no, I don't think the NL is as diverse as the whole of the US, but we're certainly not as boring as a single US state. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marinus 0 #56 January 23, 2012 So you say that if I make a generalizing statement about one aspect of US society I'm saying that all US states are the same? If I say that the US is the top exporter of grain does that mean that all states export a lot of grain? Oh well, I should have brought in a little nuance. So let me rephrase: Every time I come across an example of PC that makes my coffee/beer/coca cola squirt out of my nose. Every time I think "This PC nonsense must be a hoax, right? ..............Right!?!" Every time I'm exposed to an example of PC that makes me check if the date isn't April 1st, it comes from the US of A. Coupled with my impression that these incidents don't appear out of thin air but are signs of a more structural socio-logic phenomenon, it let me draw the conclusion that the US is the most PC or one of the most PC nations on the planet. There's of course regional variety. Happy now? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #57 January 23, 2012 Quotebut we're certainly not as boring as a single US state. clearly you've driven through Kansas ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #58 January 23, 2012 Quotelet me draw the conclusion that the US is the most PC or one of the most PC nations on the planet. Would it be ignorant of me to assume this is because the US is one of the more culturally diverse nations on the planet that has had a rather negative past in the relations between those cultures? It seems that the initial reasoning behing the PC stuff was to unite us as one, but it has gone beyond that and now imposes itself by defining what everyone else should be, rather than simply being a voice to respect our differences, if any...As they say, the road to hell is paved by good intentions...the devil is in the details and all that.Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marinus 0 #59 January 23, 2012 Quote clearly you've driven through Kansas Well, flat boring farmland with tornados. That sounds a lot like the NL. Well our tornadoes are cute and cuddly of course. Well, I was referring to cultural diversity. But it's only logical, Dutch culture had a lot more time to develop. And since most of that time the country pretty much consisted of rather isolated populations you get much cultural variety on a very small area. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #60 January 23, 2012 Quote Quote but we're certainly not as boring as a single US state. clearly you've driven through Kansas Hey, what about Nebraska?! Bob Seger - Turn the Page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe7yOccqdxI On a long and lonesome highway East of Omaha You can listen to the engine Moanin' out his one note song You can think about the woman Or the girl you knew the night before But your thoughts will soon be wandering The way they always do When you're ridin' sixteen hours And there's nothin' much to do And you don't feel much like ridin', You just wish the trip was through.....Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #61 January 23, 2012 >Well, I was referring to cultural diversity. But it's only logical, Dutch culture had >a lot more time to develop. True. Of course, so did Mexican, Korean, Vietnamese, Italian, German, Irish and Japanese cultures. Then they all moved to the US. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #62 January 23, 2012 Quote>Well, I was referring to cultural diversity. But it's only logical, Dutch culture had >a lot more time to develop. True. Of course, so did Mexican, Korean, Vietnamese, Italian, German, Irish and Japanese cultures. Then they all moved to the US. Well, everybody knows that the best American food is Chinese and Italian. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marinus 0 #63 January 23, 2012 Quote True. Of course, so did Mexican, Korean, Vietnamese, Italian, German, Irish and Japanese cultures. Then they all moved to the US. Shifting the goal posts are we, Bill? You only forgot people also migrate to the NL. We're not as diverse as you, but since you're 228 times bigger..... But yeah it sucks when a nation the size of Central Parks has 2 indigenous languages and 21 distinct dialects and you still want to proof you're more diverse. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #64 January 23, 2012 Quote>Well, I was referring to cultural diversity. But it's only logical, Dutch culture had >a lot more time to develop. True. Of course, so did Mexican, Korean, Vietnamese, Italian, German, Irish and Japanese cultures. Then they all moved to the US. the natives were here for quite awhile too, I believe ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #65 January 23, 2012 QuoteQuote>Well, I was referring to cultural diversity. But it's only logical, Dutch culture had >a lot more time to develop. True. Of course, so did Mexican, Korean, Vietnamese, Italian, German, Irish and Japanese cultures. Then they all moved to the US. the natives were here for quite awhile too, I believe Yeh but they got restless. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #66 January 23, 2012 >We're not as diverse as you . . . . Uh, OK. >and you still want to proof you're more diverse. I'll refer you to a Mr. Marinus who recently said "we're not as diverse as you." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #67 January 23, 2012 Quote Quote Quote but we're certainly not as boring as a single US state. clearly you've driven through Kansas Hey, what about Nebraska?! Bob Seger - Turn the Page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe7yOccqdxI On a long and lonesome highway East of Omaha You can listen to the engine Moanin' out his one note song You can think about the woman Or the girl you knew the night before But your thoughts will soon be wandering The way they always do When you're ridin' sixteen hours And there's nothin' much to do And you don't feel much like ridin', You just wish the trip was through..... Bob Seger! Great song! I recall when he was with 'The Last Heard'! Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #68 January 23, 2012 Quote Quote >Well, I was referring to cultural diversity. But it's only logical, Dutch culture had >a lot more time to develop. True. Of course, so did Mexican, Korean, Vietnamese, Italian, German, Irish and Japanese cultures. Then they all moved to the US. the natives were here for quite awhile too, I believe How many cafe's offer potatoes, squash, fry bread and buffalo roast? Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marinus 0 #69 January 23, 2012 Congrats Bill, you now know how to quote people out of context. How does it feel to be on the level of creationists? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #70 January 23, 2012 >How does it feel to be on the level of creationists? I'll let your imagination supply that; wouldn't want to damage any other carefully protected preconceptions you have. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marinus 0 #71 January 24, 2012 QuoteI'll let your imagination supply that; wouldn't want to damage any other carefully protected preconceptions you have. Preconceptions against one specific person, a.k.a. you, bill? How does that work? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #72 January 24, 2012 Quote>I'm Sorry Bill, but Europe =/= Germany. Germany is part of the EU. The EU made up of European countries. Indeed, its name is "the European Union." But in any case it doesn't matter. You will be arrested in Germany as well if you dare to speak politically incorrectly. ...And here's an example of how one can be arrested and criminally prosecuted in the UK for speaking hatefully against gay people: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2012/01/21/3-Muslims-guilty-of-anti-gay-leaflets/UPI-27601327123275/?spt=hs&or=tn In the UK, that form of speech is deemed "a criminal offence". In the US, a court would refer to it as "constitutionally protected speech". In fact, laws criminalizing hate speech are very commonplace throughout the world (including the Netherlands!). With one notable exception: The United States: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_speech QuoteThere is an international consensus that hate speech needs to be prohibited by law, and that such prohibitions override or are irrelevant to guarantees of freedom of expression. The United States is unique among the developed world in that under law, hate speech regulation is incompatible with free speech. ...Laws prohibiting hate speech are unconstitutional in the United States, outside of obscenity, defamation, incitement to riot, and fighting words.[50][51][52] The United States federal government and state governments are broadly forbidden by the First Amendment of the Constitution from restricting speech. ...In the 1980s and 1990s, more than 350 public universities [in the U.S.] adopted "speech codes" regulating discriminatory speech by faculty and students.[59] These codes have not fared well in the courts, where they are frequently overturned as violations of the First Amendment Seems to me that the US gives more legal protection to un-PC speech than just about anywhere else in the world. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #73 January 24, 2012 >Preconceptions against one specific person, a.k.a. you, bill? How does that work? Are you asking how preconceptions work? A dictionary might be a good tool for you here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marinus 0 #74 January 24, 2012 Well, even with a dictionary prejudice doesn't really work if it's applied to one specific person. That could be a cultural difference of course. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #75 January 24, 2012 >Well, even with a dictionary prejudice doesn't really work if it's applied to one specific person. Hmm. And now you've changed the word we're talking about to "prejudice." Generally you'll have more luck baiting someone else with games like that. Good luck getting someone going! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites