You've got to look at the big picture. Agreed. Indeed, the big picture is what compels me to point out the fact that many great American innovations have been made by non-European Americans as well as European Americans. In case my point isn't obvious, let me spell it out: people of different races have come to this country, become a part of its culture, and contributed to the trend of American ingenuity. If you think about it, this fact actually supports the idea that "there is something special about Western culture that results naturally in innovation and rapid progress." The people I mentioned in my earlier post aren't Asians or Africans. They are Asian Americans and African Americans. To reiterate my point: American culture is comprised of individuals claiming European heritage as well as those who do not, and both groups have participated in and perpetuated American progress in science, technology, medicine, etc.
Note that I am talking culture, not race. I live in New York, and MY culture is comprised not only of Europeans, but of people from every race on the planet. Great! Mine too. =)
HOWEVER, everyone living here is living within a European-derived culture. To the extent that American culture is derived from European culture, I can see your point. But let's take this analysis a step further: although American culture is based on European culture, American culture is now its own creature. I was born and raised here in the states, and I feel comfortable living here. I don't think I could say the same about living in France, Germany, England, etc. I'm sure there are many Americans who would agree with me here. For one, I care a lot more about Peyton Manning and the NFL than I do about David Beckham and soccer!:-p
I understand this is a matter of pride with you, but I'm actually correct. Given that we don't know each other, I'm not so sure that you understand anything about me (or I about you), but there's really no need to be so defensive and antagonistic. Again, I'm agreeing with you that American culture is something special; I'm merely asserting that people of many races have been and are involved in it.
And before you start screaming "No, your innovators call came from Europe" let me state the obvious: WE ALL CAME FROM EUROPE. Americans are Europeans who decided to live somewhere else. We didn't just magically appear here; we colonized this place. Europeans may not want to hear this considering the unfortunate current state of the U.S. government, but we and they are the SAME PEOPLE, with the SAME CULTURE and SAME INTELLIGENCE LEVEL. Ummm... I'm sorry, my memory's a bit foggy. Can you remind me which European country Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, recipient of the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physics, is from? What about Dr. David Ho, the first person to report the "healthy carrier state" of HIV infection? What about Steven Chu, 1997 Nobel laureate in Physics for his research in cooling and trapping atoms using laser light? And Daniel Tsui, 1998 Nobel laureate in Physics for his research on the fractional Quantum Hall effect? Chien-Shiung Wu? Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen Ning Yang? Har Gobind Khorana? I. M. Pei? Benjamin Banneker? Lewis Latimer? Garrett Morgan? Charles Drew? George Washington Carver? I could go on, but my point should be clear.
I'm not in any way contesting the fact that many prominent American innovators claim European heritage. To do so would be straight silly. But it would be just as foolish to ignore the vast portfolio of scientific and technological contributions of many Americans who do NOT consider Europe their motherland.
In neglecting the accomplishments of non-European Americans, you're completely missing the fact that America's reputation for innovation and discovery is built (in part) upon the hard work and ingenuity of some of the best and brightest folks from other parts of the globe. You're looking at innovation as if it's a contest between races. It's not. That's how the last season of Survivor began, but it's not the way American innovation occurs.
Seriously, if we're going to sing the praises of American resourcefulness, let's not forget the verse about peanut brittle:-p
If we all stop trusting each other, and keep it in the back of our minds that everyone we talk to might be trying to decieve and manipulate us...
I imagine this is the same problem that hot girls face every time they go out to a bar or a club.
In a sense, viral marketing is like the advertiser's equivalent to alcohol. It may be ineffective and overpriced, but he'll keep on using it as long as it helps him score every once in a while.
Slashdot Mirror
"A recent NY Times article discusses links between personal music players and hearing loss."
:-p
That's what you kids get for listening to such garbage today!!
Yes, all of that, plus it's much better checking out the ladies in person ;-)
Note that I am talking culture, not race. I live in New York, and MY culture is comprised not only of Europeans, but of people from every race on the planet. Great! Mine too. =)
HOWEVER, everyone living here is living within a European-derived culture. To the extent that American culture is derived from European culture, I can see your point. But let's take this analysis a step further: although American culture is based on European culture, American culture is now its own creature. I was born and raised here in the states, and I feel comfortable living here. I don't think I could say the same about living in France, Germany, England, etc. I'm sure there are many Americans who would agree with me here. For one, I care a lot more about Peyton Manning and the NFL than I do about David Beckham and soccer!
I understand this is a matter of pride with you, but I'm actually correct. Given that we don't know each other, I'm not so sure that you understand anything about me (or I about you), but there's really no need to be so defensive and antagonistic. Again, I'm agreeing with you that American culture is something special; I'm merely asserting that people of many races have been and are involved in it.
I'm not in any way contesting the fact that many prominent American innovators claim European heritage. To do so would be straight silly. But it would be just as foolish to ignore the vast portfolio of scientific and technological contributions of many Americans who do NOT consider Europe their motherland.
In neglecting the accomplishments of non-European Americans, you're completely missing the fact that America's reputation for innovation and discovery is built (in part) upon the hard work and ingenuity of some of the best and brightest folks from other parts of the globe. You're looking at innovation as if it's a contest between races. It's not. That's how the last season of Survivor began, but it's not the way American innovation occurs.
Seriously, if we're going to sing the praises of American resourcefulness, let's not forget the verse about peanut brittle
I imagine this is the same problem that hot girls face every time they go out to a bar or a club.
In a sense, viral marketing is like the advertiser's equivalent to alcohol. It may be ineffective and overpriced, but he'll keep on using it as long as it helps him score every once in a while.
Here's a link to a CNN article about it.