Why I Love the West
America gets the shaft a lot, by her own people. We like saying how culture-less and devoid of moral value we are, but I think that's only because we don't notice what we have. We're like cultural fish- do fish know what water is? I've been talking to Matt a lot; the implicit assumption being that he finds Eastern theology and philosophy to be superior to Western thought, though he never says as much. But you wouldn't convert to Buddhism and be pissed off at capitalistic society if you didn't pretty much reject Western thought, no?
I happen to like the West a lot; honestly, I find it a lot easier to be jaded by America (and her ideals) when you live there. Duh. Maybe if you lived in China you'd find being Chinese a real drag. This isn't to rag on anybody, I just think everybody finds everyone else's culture cooler than their own. So: here's my semi-facetious List of Things that're cool or unique about America and/or Western civilization.
- black people. Yeah, Africa also has black people. But only America has African-Americans. Take that, Africa!! Jazz is ours!
- John Locke's social contract
- separation of church and state
- The premise that all citizens have a right to due process, and equal rights under the law
- The concept that the law is a separate entity from the person administering it.
- Representative government.
- Counter culture. In countries over 400 years old, people actually care about respectability, social standing, family honor. I bet in Japan even the Goths are polite. While in other countries, like China, defying social mores is seen as criminally subversive and disgraceful to your family, here, you're just mocked and ostracized. Go tolerance!
- Suburbia. Suburbia has a reputation for being mundane and soulless, but in actuality, it was born from a beautiful dream. Millions of families, weary soldiers, factory women, and resolute immigrants, dreamed of single-family homes with hardwood floors and spacious gardens where their children could play and live a better life. Flowers would be planted, trees climbed, the air fresh in the morning with the birds singing and at night filled with a thousand stars. Did it happen? Well.. like all dreams, for some people, yes, for some people, no, and for some people, they got what they wanted but still weren't happy, and for others, they didn't get what they wanted but were. Nonetheless, suburbia is our soul, and no one else's.
- Cafeteria tater tots. Only in America!
- Social mobility. In China, you knew your place and were content with it. Thus, "All Is Right Under Heaven." In the U.S., it's hard and nearly impossible, but you can claw your way to the top, you greedy bastard.
- John Maynard Keynes: the concept of the government providing economic opportunities for the poor
- The idea that God Loves You (every person infinitely and equally).
- Newgrounds, and other pointless, juvenile, humor.
- Christmas. We are so the best Christmas partiers.
- Modern medicine. Your illness is due to a directly observable cause that could in theory be replicated in a laboratory, not an "imbalance of yin and yang."
- Computers.
- Star Wars.
- embrace and acknowledgement of constant social change
- Tex-Mex. Can you get good Tex Mex in Britain? Well, CAN YOU???
- I have the right to riot.
- Civil Disobedience.
- Dungeons and Dragons.
- What an individual does is fundamentally his/her own decision.
- Romanticism : the pursuit of extraordinary experiences, strong passions and flights of imagination above all, and the Heroic Individual.
- An ideal person is well-rounded, one who proficient in the ways of art, literature, politics, war, natural sciences, ethics, sports, and music. In China, a good person... studies. And works hard.
- love of rebellion and challenging authority. My parents are Chinese, and they get upset whenever a comedian makes fun of George Bush, not because they like Bush, but because making fun of a national leader is "Unseemly." See... see.. this is why Chinese people aren't funny.
- perspective in painting.
- fiction is valuable because it is a representation of general truths, even if the characters act immorally. Art and free speech are forms of expression and should not be censored.
- The concept of news media as an impartial entity separate from a ruling government or other powerful organization.
- The insane idea that good urban planning will somehow improve the masses.
- National identity as a matter of citizenship and obedience to the law, not ethnic or religious background.
- Shopping as a passtime.
- Tourism, the family vacation and roadtrips as a passtime.
- cheese steaks.
Friday, November 25, 2005
I believe that humans are born rational and noble, and that everything we do should enhance the happiness and virtue of people. I believe in the march of progress that was dreamed of in the Great Enlightenment, that slowly and surely, through rational science and the pursuit of knowledge, through contemplation of beauty and love of goodness, the world is becoming a better place, and that one day everyone will live in perfect happiness. Through civic involvement, public works and charity, bit by bit we better humanity. I believe that through the cultivation of art, music, and literature, I can become a better and more virtuous person.
They call me "agnostic," yet as sure as the ground beneath me, I know that all these things are true. A God may guide us in our development, may create us, may take us when we die. Yet all the things I say above are true, or lightning strike me down.
We are not born evil. We will not be thrown into a fiery Hell. We do not sin for loving the world that we were born to love. I embrace God as my god, but not Jesus Christ.
I am not Christian, but my faith is strong.
(Now stop giving me Jeebus pamphlets, people!!)
They call me "agnostic," yet as sure as the ground beneath me, I know that all these things are true. A God may guide us in our development, may create us, may take us when we die. Yet all the things I say above are true, or lightning strike me down.
We are not born evil. We will not be thrown into a fiery Hell. We do not sin for loving the world that we were born to love. I embrace God as my god, but not Jesus Christ.
I am not Christian, but my faith is strong.
(Now stop giving me Jeebus pamphlets, people!!)
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Apparently the Idaho state House of Representatives has this bit of legislature regarding "Napoleon Dynamite."
...
No words.
...
No words.
Monday, November 21, 2005
| You Are 20 Years Old |
 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax. |
| You scored 82 Heterosexuality, 10 Homosexuality, and 39 Asexuality! |
| You are either straight or bisexual (with an interest in the opposite gender) with a moderate to high sex drive. The higher your score in heterosexuality, the more you are attracted to the opposite gender. A higher asexuality score means that you place a bigger emphasis on the emotional aspects of a relationship and less on the physical. |
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My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The 3-Variable Sexuality Spectrum Test written by kitsunechild on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test |
| This Is My Life, Rated | |
| Life: |  7.7 |
| Mind: |  7.1 |
| Body: | 7.3 |
| Spirit: | 8.2 |
| Friends/Family: |  5 |
| Love: | 6.9 |
| Finance: | 6.9 |
| Take the Rate My Life Quiz | |
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