Comments on: The Global Popularity Contest

By: Big Ron

Big Ron — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 18:46:40 +0000

The heart of the problem here is illustrated by the way this whole debate has been framed: we’re invited to join the USA’s self-delusion that it’s the main thought on everyone’s mind from dawn to dusk. That it’s the richest, free-est, most democratic place in the world, that everybody wants to BE an American. Problem is, although Americans fondly BELIEVE all that crap… almost none of it is true. The USA is in hock up to its neck and beyond. Pretty much the ONLY thing the USA still leads the world in is…. military spending. Illegal Immigrants? Surely if people are desperate to get into the USA it MUST be some kind of paradise? At the height of Apartheid, South Africa had a serious problem with illegal ECONOMIC migrants., who foolishly believed that they’d have a better life in S. Africa. (And bear in mind the large number of emigrants from Byelorus, who in 1906 emigrated – in search of a better life – to SIBERIA) Since Reagan’s day, average white-collar incomes in the US have been falling. Blue collar incomes have fallen even faster. The already-very-rich have been getting richer (a LOT richer)and everybody else has been getting steadily poorer. The 20 year “trickle-down” experiment with Voodoo economics has produced more than enough evidence to demonstrate that “trickle down” doesn’t work. Maybe non-Americans are just smarter. They NOTICE these things. And – according to polls – the majority of them would turn down a Green Card if one was offered to them. Those who wouldn’t turn it down are generally the poor and the uneducated. That’s something of a paradox, as it’s the people who would turn the green card down who would do best (financially) from a move to the USA. The others are merely kidding themselves.

In 1850, about 55% of all world trade could be accounted for by the British Empire – as buyer, seller, or as both. In 2005, the “G8″ represents a collection of rich nations who collectively control not much more than 40% of the world’s trade. When I hear the expression “World’s only remaining superpower”, I’m inclined to recall what it took to be a superpower in 1850. They sure don’t make ‘em like they used to.

By: vurdlife

vurdlife — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 21:32:59 +0000

Did you mean Tom Buchanan?

By: Ennis

Ennis — Fri, 01 Jul 2005 18:34:08 +0000

I wouldn’t say that the 3 million who died in Bangladesh died b/c we were careless in a Daisy Buchanan kind of way. We knew what was going on, and we kept supporting the perpetrators. Given that this is one of the largest post WWII mass killings, that has to count for something …

By: Midhun Kumar Allu

Midhun Kumar Allu — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 09:38:18 +0000

Yes, it is not just the BPO thing but also a few factors of Visa regulations which could have been worse with kerry were to be in place. Bothways for once we fell for money and benefit than for principles. We would have to pay someday for this. May be the F-16s are a beginning of the payment.

By: Prashant P Kothari

Prashant P Kothari — Sun, 26 Jun 2005 22:01:03 +0000

RC says But I think that the perception of the US in India may be based on the relatives who are in US. Since a lot of relatives who did well in studies ended up in the US, it gives a perception that all highly educated people live in the US. Since in India, cuturally, education is VERY highly regarded, the respect for US follows.”

Looks like Pew mostly polled the urban areas in India, and given that most relatives’ of desi folks in the US are in the cities (as are the BPO/ IT boom beneficiaries) the poll results don’t surprise me.

An unrelated rant: Let’s not get too carried away by the sample of desis in the US (assorted engineers/ doctors and the spelling bee champs) and assume that education is a big thing all across India. For a significiant portion of the desis in the US, their education has been their passport to success — and not surprisingly, educational accomplishments (including silly shows like the spelling bee) are a big deal.

India’s overall record as far as educational achievement is actually very, very depressing.
Did you know that India’s literacy rate is lower than Zimbabwe’s or Rwanda’s?

http://www.deeshaa.org/who-actually-paid-for-my-education/

By: RC

RC — Sun, 26 Jun 2005 05:38:56 +0000

I should have added (in my previous comment) a reference to this NYT story about a boy living in slums preparing for entrance exam for IIT and says his dream is to work at NASA.

By: RC

RC — Sat, 25 Jun 2005 23:22:26 +0000

An argument can be made against the Indian data IF it only included people in urban areas.

But I think that the perception of the US in India may be based on the relatives who are in US. Since a lot of relatives who did well in studies ended up in the US, it gives a perception that all highly educated people live in the US. Since in India, cuturally, education is VERY highly regarded, the respect for US follows.

So IMO, Indian results may have more to do with the culture that gives the highest regards to education.

By: RD

RD — Sat, 25 Jun 2005 23:10:41 +0000

correction:

Indians truly realise "HOW" ingenious Americans are (with out envy)

By: RD

RD — Sat, 25 Jun 2005 23:08:11 +0000

Most indians oppose Iraq war (from the same survey I guess).

Indian govt is very sympethetic to palestine cause. Though it effects its relation with Isreal. This rules out the fact that india loves ppl who kick musl ass. India is making efforts to join the arab leauge as a friend. Hell, even Egypt patched up with Isreal so why not India.

Indians truly realise who ingenious Americans are (with out envy)

"a) BPO/IT honeymoon" ---may be

"b) support for India militarily ("we want to help India become a great power")" --- nobody believes that in india, actualy are quite skeptical. US only sells what india is going to have in very near future. US is desperate to sell arms to india to make some money atleast Lockheed and boeing are.

"c) presence of a relative/ neighbor abroad" --- may be

Show me another influential country like India with such a GREAT collective moral charecter, despite being in hostile environment.

By: VM

VM — Sat, 25 Jun 2005 21:01:47 +0000

Arun -

Given that the BPO/IT boom is primarily an urban phenomenon, it seems likely that this number will go down if you include the rural areas.

Rural people in India do not have an opinion! So its doesn't matter.