"The Can't Society". Cydney's "What Do YOU Think Of That" WT. (weekly topic)
Thu Apr 03, 2014 2:11 pm
#59163- RickMember
There is no word that better describes the state of America’s culture today than “can’t.”
Whether it be in the context of stupidly shouting out “they can’t do that,” as we all watch them do whatever it is that we’re screaming they can’t, or whether it be used in excuse form as in “I can’t afford it,” we are a nation of can’ts.
For decades, stand-up comedians have stumbled upon some of the most brilliant social observances of their times. Australian native and current American resident Jim Jeffries is a fairly popular, totally vulgar functioning addict who has done just that. In his brilliantly correct 5 minute rant on dumb Americans, he perfectly skewers everything that is wrong with our society. We’re raising generation after generation of people who are undeniably stupid, yet filled with the arrogant confidence that comes with being “American.” [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
The problem is that simply being “American,” doesn’t mean a damned thing any longer. Decades of decay have shown the world what many of us knew from the jump; simply being here is not enough. America is not a Providentially protected piece of land which will prosper, persevere and thrive on its own. It must be nurtured, cared for and defended constantly, lest it fall from its’ perch, which is exactly what’s happening now. All because we can’t. As a society we simply can’t. That’s our new America; Land of the free and home of the can’ts.
Across the world, natives of Brazil, India, China, South Korea and a dozen other countries are no longer intimidated or even impressed by Americans any longer. They still revere the idea that was America, but only to the extent that they can use their superior intelligence and work ethic as a way to benefit from it. Hell, in today’s global economy, they don’t even need to move here any longer to prosper from America’s wealth. And why would they want to? The land of opportunity is anywhere in this world where you have access to America now, not merely on our shores.
And so people around the globe, who can, are taking advantage of those of us who can’t. And won’t. And we’re letting them, because we just don’t care.
Ironically, if I were to chronicle for you how people from foreign lands are using their drive and determination to remove the wealth from America and bring it to their homelands your response would most likely be “they can’t do that!” HA!
They are. And guess what? We can’t stop them. Because we aren’t smart enough any longer, we aren’t driven enough any longer, and we don’t care at all because we don’t understand what America was supposed to be and how we were supposed to steward her. We’re soft, beyond soft, and we have no interest or ability to toughen up. We’d rather watch school officials in Virginia suspend kids from their school for a year for playing with fake guns on their own private property than actually do anything about it. We’ll simply yell out “they can’t do that,” or “that can’t be true,” as Rome burns around us. Yelling “can’t” is the new fiddle. Sadly, most of you have no idea what that reference is. Way to go, America.
To be fair, the “can’t” society is not uniquely American, which should (but won’t) terrify most of us. It’s a phenomenon of Western cultures which have spent decades telling children who finish in 9th place that they’re great, combined with a total lack of appreciation for how great we’ve had it for all of these years. Last week in Great Britain a stunningly poignant piece went viral which shocked no one and could have easily been written by any random American. Read these highlights and see if it doesn’t personify today’s USA:
“…I'm a 30-year-old woman who still lives at home…I am part of a generation who can't get well-paid jobs, can't afford houses and as a result can't even leave home…The truth is that living in the comfortable luxury of my family home, a warm, cheerfully decorated, four-bedroom, semi-detached house in North London - a property way beyond my means as a single woman - means that I have no impetus to leave…Why should I? Where could I live this well, with three meals a day, a laundry service, full use of the garden and all utilities - all completely free? Where is the incentive to strike out on my own? I know my friends feel the same…. times have changed…it's normal to remain in your childhood homes into your adult years, and sometimes even after marriage. It's now happening.” [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Of course, it’s more than just adults living at home, being perfectly happy to achieve nothing. It’s more than just proving what sociologists have always known; that pride and drive and ambition are not at all natural and must be taught, and we’re not doing that at all any longer. It’s more than showing in a glaring light that when you have it so good, as we do, the desire to do better is further and further away, especially when hard work is involved. More and more of us look around and say “hey, I have it pretty good, why should I do more?”
It’s all of it and so much more. The cultural rot and societal decay is so obvious you can almost smell it. Certainly you can see it, and if you can’t, you’re just another arrogant, ignorant dumb American.
Thoughts?
Thu Apr 03, 2014 3:18 pm
#59168- KerzoR9
- Location : Scotland
What's your thoughts?
Thu Apr 03, 2014 9:20 pm
#59171- SyndromeAdmin
- Location : Ohio, USA
What is the source of this article?
Thu Apr 03, 2014 9:27 pm
#59172Thu Apr 03, 2014 9:33 pm
#59173- SyndromeAdmin
- Location : Ohio, USA
I think its about how you are raised. Some people are distilled with work ethic, and others are not. Plus things in life can happen and alter the way someone lives.
People become a product of their environments way more times than not. That is why when you hear of a successful person that came form an area like a ghetto... its a success story.
People become a product of their environments way more times than not. That is why when you hear of a successful person that came form an area like a ghetto... its a success story.
Fri Apr 04, 2014 4:44 am
#59174- sharpPUSB
- Location : City of Dreams, England
lol. The Daily Mail.
They only create these articles to get more clicks on their site.
They only create these articles to get more clicks on their site.
Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:55 am
#59175- KerzoR9
- Location : Scotland
Oh. Lol always makes me laugh when the yanks quote the daily mail or the sun etc in news articles. Its literally like us quoting fox news.
Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:58 am
#59176- AlphaI like Pink
Too lazy to read all that. Rather cut grass in sun for 3 hours. Then wheel barrow dirt to holes and spread it. Then wash vehicles. Then hit gym.
Looks like a write up on why todays kids are either lazy, spoiled, or gay. (as in they're all feminine)
Looks like a write up on why todays kids are either lazy, spoiled, or gay. (as in they're all feminine)
Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:27 am
#59177- ChisaGod Of Boobs
- Location : Boston, MA
We're soft as f**k, people have grown to love playing the victim, and blaming anything but themselves for their failures. Of course, some people absolutely have the deck stacked against them and it's a rough expectation to think that their lives are easy to overcome, but pointing fingers won't get the job done either. We've grown dumb and complacent, and the rest of the world is passing us by, as we continue to fight about Evolution vs. Creationism.
At this point, I don't care. I'm not having kids, so America can go to absolute shit for all I care.
At this point, I don't care. I'm not having kids, so America can go to absolute shit for all I care.
Fri Apr 04, 2014 9:10 am
#59178- AlphaI like Pink
It went. 2008 I believe.
I denounced citizenship when they elected the muslim. So glad the state of LA branched off.
I denounced citizenship when they elected the muslim. So glad the state of LA branched off.
Fri Apr 04, 2014 9:31 am
#59179- ChisaGod Of Boobs
- Location : Boston, MA
Alpha wrote: So glad the state of LA branched off.
Too bad LA still takes in a shit load of government handouts, for all the talk of "small government". State sure does have it's hand out
Honestly, something happened after the Clinton administration where someone else seems to be in charge, and whoever the President happens to be, is just their puppet. There's really no reason I could think of that two Presidencies would be so similar between Obama and Bush.
Fri Apr 04, 2014 10:30 am
#59180- AlphaI like Pink
Those don't count, we're moving them out. We're only taking working class, the rest gotta go. To Texas or Alabama on buses.
I've been putting multiple HD cable boxes in these govment funded apartments for the past couple weeks. Doing 1 right now, 3 adults and 3 kids living in a 2 bedroom shanti, but we got flat screens in every room.
I've been putting multiple HD cable boxes in these govment funded apartments for the past couple weeks. Doing 1 right now, 3 adults and 3 kids living in a 2 bedroom shanti, but we got flat screens in every room.
Fri Apr 04, 2014 11:31 am
#59184- RickMember
Kerzo wrote:What's your thoughts?
I just post.
And the reason for that is below in the spoiler. Granted I am not talking about this site but another site that I used to frequent. But I adopted the habit on all sites of only replying to stuff that was simple or funny, save one subject.
I tell you it has made forum surfing a lot more enjoyable when you just look at a thread and read the replies and smile knowing you are not going to reply.
I still enjoy reading what people write though so that makes it fun. And here (LA) has a pretty diverse set of views on topics with the added advantage of me also having known you for a few years.
- Spoiler:
- One thing that really grinds my gears is the propagation of false and or misleading information trying to be passed as fact logic and reason, it matters not what side of the fence I am on.
False information against your argument makes you look desperate and foolish.
False information for your argument destroys your credibility and hurts your cause.
This is what I wrote at the site in question that caused my stance on replying.There have been several times where I was going to post comments. I was prepared to hunt down all of the relative data backing links and factual information. I was even going to spend time trying to disprove my own posts just to make sure I was not being biased.
The problem though is that there are several members who frequent this section who (based on their previous posts and attitudes) you cannot reason with, who will not see another side of things and who are essentially ideologues.
They are also the ones who are first to shout "where's your proof" (not every one that states that mind you is what I describe). The problem with that is I am a person who deals in facts, logic and reason, who loves to debate and learn new things and when you run up against the type of individual that I describe there is no point or merit in doing it.
Because while I am not out to change anyone's mind or sway them to whatever side of an issue that I believe to be true it certainly is a little disheartening to spend a few hours collecting the facts that back up my claims, arrange them in a convenient way and post them, knowing them to be correct and true e.g. "The sun provides heat for the earth" or "The sun rises in the east..." only to be told I am still wrong or that it is all rubbish or they do not believe any of it.
Even using fact, logic, reason, scientific evidence through empirical data, you cannot reason with people/ideologues who deal in hearsay, conjecture and bullsh*t so why waste the time and energy doing it? It is the same as speaking to a wall.
I have come to realize that my thoughts on topics are either seen as extremist or I end up engaged in conversations with ideologues. And again how can you have a discussion with people who in spite of fact, logic, reason and scientific data telling the sun is hot, believe it is not.
Even if you love something or wholeheartedly believe in something you must still approach it with trepidation as if you are trying to disprove it in order to fully be unbiased. Not many people are willing to do that. They are capable just not willing.
I think what it might come down to as it does with all debates is which school of thought you want to go with.
Fact, logic and reason
or
Hearsay, conjecture, bullsh*t and lies
But what do I know. You also have to understand that this is coming from someone (me) that believes that just because someone does good in their life does not excuse them from the evil they have perpetrated. "we excuse the atrocities, coercion and evil from the deeds of those we hold in high regard by labeling them activists and champions of cause
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