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I can see China doing good things for America. As a country we only really seem to shine when we've got someone to strive against. Otherwise we just go around the beach kicking sand into smaller countries' faces and then acting all wounded when people call us dicks for it.
If China takes off like they seem to be, America might have an economic rival that can spark a new sense of pride and vigor in our society. I have especially high hopes for a resurgent space race, since Russia seems to have crapped out on us as a catalyst.
the idea of a new space race is all well and good, and so is the shining and what not, but when we get too much pride and vigor in our society, it's a slippery slope potentially leading to intolerance, fear and paranoia
edit: and by "our society" I mean American society
Uh I think China has already taken off... they will probably slow down to around 5-7% annual growth leading up to 2020 (as oppose to the 9% + these last years), but they will eventually be the leading powerhouse, regardless of what the US does... I don't think "US might have an economic rival" is even an issue here. They will have an economic rival, who will overtake them sooner or later, anyway. India will pick up pretty solidly too.
I mean, face it, they have the largest population, and are now experiencing what the rest of the Western world experienced 15-20 years ago... they will be the big guys in the future, not the US. Either way I agree that the US will no longer be able to strut around kicking sand in people's faces like they previously did.
I think the future will be about the shift in global power away from a lot of the modernised Western countries (namely US), and focusing more on the Asian region (China, Korea, India). Seriously that place will explode, and if we don't play nice and all get along, some serious shit will go down.
This is why we Europeans are sucking up to China right now
Uh I think China has already taken off... they will probably slow down to around 5-7% annual growth leading up to 2020 (as oppose to the 9% + these last years), but they will eventually be the leading powerhouse, regardless of what the US does... I don't think "US might have an economic rival" is even an issue here. They will have an economic rival, who will overtake them sooner or later, anyway. India will pick up pretty solidly too.
I mean, face it, they have the largest population, and are now experiencing what the rest of the Western world experienced 15-20 years ago... they will be the big guys in the future, not the US. Either way I agree that the US will no longer be able to strut around kicking sand in people's faces like they previously did.
I think the future will be about the shift in global power away from a lot of the modernised Western countries (namely US), and focusing more on the Asian region (China, Korea, India). Seriously that place will explode, and if we don't play nice and all get along, some serious shit will go down.
This is why we Europeans are sucking up to China right now
Eh, I can assure you, any amount of sucking-up EU is doing, Australia is doing harder. We're pretty close to them, y'see, so we gotta be real nice.
Early last year I married a woman from the Philippines. After spending some time in her country, and learning more about her country's history, I don't feel so bad about the current state of the USA.
For instance, while I was growing up playing Nintendo, her country was under martial law.
Just about every single politician that is worth a damn in their country has been assassinated.
While visiting there, I saw more open flame than anywhere else I've been in the world. I started to think that the level of poverty in a country is directly related to the amount of unchecked fire you see burning.
Shirtless, shoeless five year olds swarmed me everywhere I went in Manila, begging for money. We didn't arrive in the city until 2 AM.
The list goes on and on, but I think things are pretty ok back home.
Early last year I married a woman from the Philippines. After spending some time in her country, and learning more about her country's history, I don't feel so bad about the current state of the USA.
For instance, while I was growing up playing Nintendo, her country was under martial law.
Just about every single politician that is worth a damn in their country has been assassinated.
While visiting there, I saw more open flame than anywhere else I've been in the world. I started to think that the level of poverty in a country is directly related to the amount of unchecked fire you see burning.
Shirtless, shoeless five year olds swarmed me everywhere I went in Manila, begging for money. We didn't arrive in the city until 2 AM.
The list goes on and on, but I think things are pretty ok back home.
I remember reading a comment on youtube from someone who was claiming that all of the shit that's happened to the US in the last few years have reduced us to a third-world country.
I think someone's very confused about the definition of third-world.
You want shitty? Try England, where mediocrity and failure is rewarded and success is frowned upon.
You failed your GCSE's? Here, have an apprenticeship!
Um
UM
For all the failings of the UK education system, this is NOT something I'd consider complaining about. Many people just simply aren't cut out for academia and apprenticeships give them a chance to try out a different skill that doesn't require book smarts.
It is MUCH better to give someone without any formal qualifications the chance to learn how to become a farmer, plumber, woodworker, etc., than to consign them to a life on the dole, no?
You want shitty? Try England, where mediocrity and failure is rewarded and success is frowned upon.
You failed your GCSE's? Here, have an apprenticeship!
Um
UM
For all the failings of the UK education system, this is NOT something I'd consider complaining about. Many people just simply aren't cut out for academia and apprenticeships give them a chance to try out a different skill that doesn't require book smarts.
It is MUCH better to give someone without any formal qualifications the chance to learn how to become a farmer, plumber, woodworker, etc., than to consign them to a life on the dole, no?
You don't have to tell me this. My dad was taken out of school and got a different education that was based on things like woodwork and farming. Yes, people like him exist, and IMO I think they should be given these options before they inevitably fail their GCSEs.
I'm talking about the kids who take advantage of our government by intentionally not doing as well as they should. It also raises the question; "Why should we bother doing well in school when we can just have success given to us?"
Early last year I married a woman from the Philippines. After spending some time in her country, and learning more about her country's history, I don't feel so bad about the current state of the USA.
For instance, while I was growing up playing Nintendo, her country was under martial law.
Just about every single politician that is worth a damn in their country has been assassinated.
While visiting there, I saw more open flame than anywhere else I've been in the world. I started to think that the level of poverty in a country is directly related to the amount of unchecked fire you see burning.
Shirtless, shoeless five year olds swarmed me everywhere I went in Manila, begging for money. We didn't arrive in the city until 2 AM.
The list goes on and on, but I think things are pretty ok back home.
I remember reading a comment on youtube from someone who was claiming that all of the shit that's happened to the US in the last few years have reduced us to a third-world country.
I think someone's very confused about the definition of third-world.
Youtube comments are pretty much the bottom of the barrel.
Some other things that I can think of are the men with assault rifles that guard my wife's gated community.
The mandatory friskings that everyone undergoes upon entering the mall.
When I complained about the lack of hot water when bathing her mom started boiling a kettle of water for me every day when I woke up. They didn't have a functional shower, just cold running water from the faucet. To bathe you fill up a giant bucket of water that stands about waist high and use a scoop to wet yourself and rinse the soap off.
Having never used this system before, I was very inefficient with the scoop, so I would always need more than one giant bucket to get fully clean. This meant that inevitably I was splashing around in the cold stuff.
Yeah, the US is really a third world country. Fucking schlubs.
For example, I got results above a C in everything except Maths, where I got a D. The way things work, the most important GCSEs are English, Maths and Science, so I at least needed a C in all of them. When I went to college, I had to do a Key Skills class to bring my Maths up to a C or above level.
I did it and passed it easily, within a few months. Now I have a grade which is equivalent to an A to C level. This course required much less knowledge of the subject and was just overall much easier than the actual GCSE exam. My friend nearly got 100% on his Maths exam, but now I have an equivalent grade for doing much less work. Frankly, it feels more like I had this grade handed to me more than anything else.
For example, I got results above a C in everything except Maths, where I got a D. The way things work, the most important GCSEs are English, Maths and Science, so I at least needed a C in all of them. When I went to college, I had to do a Key Skills class to bring my Maths up to a C or above level.
I did it and passed it easily, within a few months. Now I have a grade which is equivalent to an A to C level. This course required much less knowledge of the subject and was just overall much easier than the actual GCSE exam. My friend nearly got 100% on his Maths exam, but now I have an equivalent grade for doing much less work. Frankly, it feels more like I had this grade handed to me more than anything else.
I don't think its fair.
I'd care if it wasn't for the fact that GCSEs are so inconsequential anyway.
The main reason Universities and Colleges ask for a certain grade for subjects is because they have a limited annual intake and asking for high grades reduces the number of applicants they need to interview. EG. Law is actually a relatively easy degree but due to consistently high demand for law courses most universities now have very demanding entrance grades.
GCSEs are just a quick 'ok, it turns out you do have some sort of brain in your head' check for universities. They aren't a measure of how hard you've worked, they just demonstrate that you poses certain basic skills required to get through school, such as literacy, numeracy, basic reasoning etc. They are otherwise effectively valueless. You won't start on a higher pay grade at a job just because you have an A in English in stead of a B.
University degrees, even college diplomas, on the other hand are much more difficult to actually get - especially ones from reputable colleges and universities - and also happen to be far more valuable in your adult life.
Basically you are complaining that the system gives 16 year olds a second chance instead of kicking them to the gutter if they don't do too great on one subject the first time around.
For example, I got results above a C in everything except Maths, where I got a D. The way things work, the most important GCSEs are English, Maths and Science, so I at least needed a C in all of them. When I went to college, I had to do a Key Skills class to bring my Maths up to a C or above level.
I did it and passed it easily, within a few months. Now I have a grade which is equivalent to an A to C level. This course required much less knowledge of the subject and was just overall much easier than the actual GCSE exam. My friend nearly got 100% on his Maths exam, but now I have an equivalent grade for doing much less work. Frankly, it feels more like I had this grade handed to me more than anything else.
I don't think its fair.
I'd care if it wasn't for the fact that GCSEs are so inconsequential anyway.
The main reason Universities and Colleges ask for a certain grade for subjects is because they have a limited annual intake and asking for high grades reduces the number of applicants they need to interview. EG. Law is actually a relatively easy degree but due to consistently high demand for law courses most universities now have very demanding entrance grades.
GCSEs are just a quick 'ok, it turns out you do have some sort of brain in your head' check for universities. They aren't a measure of how hard you've worked, they just demonstrate that you poses certain basic skills required to get through school, such as literacy, numeracy, basic reasoning etc. They are otherwise effectively valueless. You won't start on a higher pay grade at a job just because you have an A in English in stead of a B.
University degrees, even college diplomas, on the other hand are much more difficult to actually get - especially ones from reputable colleges and universities - and also happen to be far more valuable in your adult life.
Basically you are complaining that the system gives 16 year olds a second chance instead of kicking them to the gutter if they don't do too great on one subject the first time around.
No.
My point is that the second chance shouldn't be so easy when compared to the first chance. I don't think the reward should be handed to you for doing it wrong.
Posts
Alternatively: small pox natty light.
That too.
I was merely commenting on what would happen geopolitically as oppose to environmentally.
Will get back 2 u
the idea of a new space race is all well and good, and so is the shining and what not, but when we get too much pride and vigor in our society, it's a slippery slope potentially leading to intolerance, fear and paranoia
edit: and by "our society" I mean American society
And beer. Our beer is pretty good
unfiltered Belgian white ale is the best thing.
This is exactly what I tell people, Belgium shouldn't really exist.
Sorry, no offense :P
America is just as shitty
It's just bigger, so it can kick around anyone who dares to mention that.
Bigger is always better.
Edit: you ever wanna get fucking pissfaced, then try one of our abbey beers. Rochefort preferably
Eh, I can assure you, any amount of sucking-up EU is doing, Australia is doing harder. We're pretty close to them, y'see, so we gotta be real nice.
which is actually true, in the case of Australia.
But there are plenty of other doomsday theories around, so at this point maybe it's just pick a favorite
For instance, while I was growing up playing Nintendo, her country was under martial law.
Just about every single politician that is worth a damn in their country has been assassinated.
While visiting there, I saw more open flame than anywhere else I've been in the world. I started to think that the level of poverty in a country is directly related to the amount of unchecked fire you see burning.
Shirtless, shoeless five year olds swarmed me everywhere I went in Manila, begging for money. We didn't arrive in the city until 2 AM.
The list goes on and on, but I think things are pretty ok back home.
I remember reading a comment on youtube from someone who was claiming that all of the shit that's happened to the US in the last few years have reduced us to a third-world country.
I think someone's very confused about the definition of third-world.
You failed your GCSE's? Here, have an apprenticeship!
UM
For all the failings of the UK education system, this is NOT something I'd consider complaining about. Many people just simply aren't cut out for academia and apprenticeships give them a chance to try out a different skill that doesn't require book smarts.
It is MUCH better to give someone without any formal qualifications the chance to learn how to become a farmer, plumber, woodworker, etc., than to consign them to a life on the dole, no?
You don't have to tell me this. My dad was taken out of school and got a different education that was based on things like woodwork and farming. Yes, people like him exist, and IMO I think they should be given these options before they inevitably fail their GCSEs.
I'm talking about the kids who take advantage of our government by intentionally not doing as well as they should. It also raises the question; "Why should we bother doing well in school when we can just have success given to us?"
Youtube comments are pretty much the bottom of the barrel.
Some other things that I can think of are the men with assault rifles that guard my wife's gated community.
The mandatory friskings that everyone undergoes upon entering the mall.
When I complained about the lack of hot water when bathing her mom started boiling a kettle of water for me every day when I woke up. They didn't have a functional shower, just cold running water from the faucet. To bathe you fill up a giant bucket of water that stands about waist high and use a scoop to wet yourself and rinse the soap off.
Having never used this system before, I was very inefficient with the scoop, so I would always need more than one giant bucket to get fully clean. This meant that inevitably I was splashing around in the cold stuff.
Yeah, the US is really a third world country. Fucking schlubs.
I did it and passed it easily, within a few months. Now I have a grade which is equivalent to an A to C level. This course required much less knowledge of the subject and was just overall much easier than the actual GCSE exam. My friend nearly got 100% on his Maths exam, but now I have an equivalent grade for doing much less work. Frankly, it feels more like I had this grade handed to me more than anything else.
I don't think its fair.
I'd care if it wasn't for the fact that GCSEs are so inconsequential anyway.
The main reason Universities and Colleges ask for a certain grade for subjects is because they have a limited annual intake and asking for high grades reduces the number of applicants they need to interview. EG. Law is actually a relatively easy degree but due to consistently high demand for law courses most universities now have very demanding entrance grades.
GCSEs are just a quick 'ok, it turns out you do have some sort of brain in your head' check for universities. They aren't a measure of how hard you've worked, they just demonstrate that you poses certain basic skills required to get through school, such as literacy, numeracy, basic reasoning etc. They are otherwise effectively valueless. You won't start on a higher pay grade at a job just because you have an A in English in stead of a B.
University degrees, even college diplomas, on the other hand are much more difficult to actually get - especially ones from reputable colleges and universities - and also happen to be far more valuable in your adult life.
Basically you are complaining that the system gives 16 year olds a second chance instead of kicking them to the gutter if they don't do too great on one subject the first time around.
My point is that the second chance shouldn't be so easy when compared to the first chance. I don't think the reward should be handed to you for doing it wrong.