It’s hard to deny that Olympics are pretty interesting. Even if I don’t really watch them intensely, I have to admit that the idea of countries from around the world, coming together, and giving the world a chance to see all of the greatest athletes in the world, all in one place, is pretty darn cool. Countries gathering into a single city, representing their home countries as individuals, but representing humanity as a whole. Countries fade, and in its place you see people sporting for the sake of the game. Well, unless you live in America.
I don’t think I’ve really touched upon my disdain for this country here on 64Digits that much, but something that really drives me nuts is it’s pride or patriotism. Team USA, Team USA, Team fucking USA. Is that really all that is going on over in London? No. No it’s not, but for all that we see, it may as well be. Sure, I can understand that a lot of people are interested in the sports we compete best in or even just barely compete, but what about all the other sports that some of us haven’t even heard of? Sure, I can understand an interview with the American team that just lost a water polo match, but how about the fucking people that just beat them? Just because they aren’t American doesn’t mean they aren’t amazing. We rarely get to hear about the other people. Every single time, when they have nothing to show, the empty space is filled up with all these dramatic background stories of people who are competing for America; sometimes they replay them, or sometimes they just fill the space with more ads. Have you seen some of the countries these people come from?! I’m all for seeing the guy triumph out from the broncs, but god damn there are countries with people who make it out with just as many tribulations, if not more. I want to see them, know their story, hear their voices, see their faces, and fucking acknowledge their existence, not as a person from another country, but as a person.Pride should exist though, don’t get me wrong, if we are going to get that awesome interview with the Polish or Australian guy, I don’t give a shit if he or she talks about his or her love for the country they represent. Hell, they should give a shoutout or a challenge to America, let us know that we can be beaten; maybe then I’ll be on the edge of my seat. We need to see that there is pride for other things out there besides America. For us Americans, pride is shoved down our throats at an abnormally high level; it’s almost like America has compensation issues. Every single freaking commercial it’s some stupid company comparing themselves to olympians or talking about how they “help them reach their goals.â€? “Team USA,â€? it says at the bottom of the commercial, “Proud Sponsor of Team USAâ€? or (I love this one) “Official <noun> of the Olympics.â€? Even then, if they are the official something of an international event they still put an extra amount of American-esque flag patterns all around their logo and the traditional “Team USAâ€? at the bottom. Yeah, go McDonalds, way to represent America by being Olympics official choice of food, I’m sure athletes from all over the world are raving about American food by now.35,442It’s the attitude really that is the problem here. We got to be number 1, number 1, number fucking 1… when we really aren’t. Maybe we can at least look close to number 1 at the Olympics, because we sure as hell suck at everything else. Whenever I say that, someone always likes to add “but your country have the best militaryâ€? as either: an act of kindly reminding me another reason to hate this country, or because of stupidity. Frankly, a military that does more harm than good (it occasionally does good, I looked into this), and gets an unnecessarily large amount of funding from a government that can’t afford it, it is the worst organized military in the world, in my opinion.I love you, so much :(Everyone already knows about America’s poor attitude though, this is nothing new. Really the Olympics, or the way that America approaches it, is just an example of the stupidity behind this country’s attitude. So nothing really has to be said, since really it’s just part of something bigger that will probably never go away or at least until the baby boomers die. Still, I just wish I got to see something, as international as the Olympics, from a world perspective and not from a spoiled country.
Few things America is #1 at (and don't quote me on this, but this is just what makes most sense to me):
- % of gun owners in a rich country- obesityFerret edit:-crime in a wealthy country :PBut yeah, it isn't #1 at other more important stuff…America has the persona of a muscled and bloated freak, kicking sand into the eyes of nerds at beaches everywhere.
Meanwhile, Sweden works on its sandcastle…Problem with America is that they like to stick their noses into other peoples' business. And that's why we get into more wars than most countries.
That kinda sums up a good amount of one of the things I complain about all the time.
In the time we are living in now, a world view is much more appreciated. I've always had a bit of hatred for trends that surround group pride, and I tend to retaliate against it.I didn't watch any american broadcasts of the event the first few days, I kinda snuck into he BBC's internet stream with a friend's help.That's not a big surprise to me.
> Americans with complaints about America
well then let's all move to africa, which bar antartica is probably as different as you're going to getSome people I know want to move to Canada.
Africa would be an excellent choice. Live in the desert or a tribe or something, never worry about going in late to work!Damn Canadians being Canadians, I tell you what. They don't give a shit about being the best at everything. They need to be more American, since they live on America's hat. They don't shove enough pride down other people's throats.
Don't come here. Our society is too okay. We don't have enough crime and people are too health conscious for this place to be suitable for you all.I'm going to establish a foothold in Canada, then travel the world with a special sweetheart.
Canada just screams awesome to me every time I think about it.@Stevenup: We're assholes, but our society itself being broken? I think that's a bit harsh. We're still functioning, there's still some rational thinking people here in a large but albeit less vocal minority. Sure, our fervent pride has gotten the better of us, but I'd say many Americans have begun to realize that their personal interests and their country's are not intrinsically the same.
And frankly, I'm tired of hearing Americans say they're moving to Canada. Fleeing your country is just the lazy behavior that encapsulates your acquiescent part in your shitty country to begin with. Of course, I know you guys are only joking. But still. I guess the Welles avatar just got to me.