| From: | Marty <s457033@*******.GU.EDU.AU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Flame re; FASA world view |
| Date: | Sat, 9 Nov 1996 16:25:54 +1000 |
> > All of these cultures ruled what was considered their world at one time
> > or another, or at least had a big part in fighting over it. Now they are
> > bit players in the scheme of things, with the exception of Germany.
>
> It also helps (historically at least) that most, if not all of those lost
> some sort of war immediately prior to leaving the world stage. In the FASA
> timeline, and, indeed, following the examples of war that seem to be more
> common today, I do -not- foresee a large enough war to put the U.S.
> economy in peril.
>
You mentioned the USSR in your reply. They did not technically lose any
war. They suffered from being unable to effectively compete with the USA
due to their style of Government. Competition is what it's all about
these days. Right now, Japan is seriously cutting into world markets ad
controlling them.... gives America serious competition.
Commercial might is always more important than military might; Witness
the Dutch East India company; They ran most of South East Asia and India
through commercial 'string pulling'.
It doesn't take a war to put an economy in peril. Natural disasters can
do it, like the flurry of Hurricanes and storms that America has suffered
in the past few years. What happens to the world market if Tokyo gets
flattened by an 8.5 Earthquake?? I can guarantee you that the recession
that would spark off would pull down much of the world with it.
> > No culture stay on top of pile for ever, and historically the rate of
> > turnover of dominance has been increasing (related to population growth
> > throughout the ages) What happens when China starts to industrialise,
> > or When India manages to do something about their underclass? God forbid.
> >
> > Even further in the future, what happens when Africa gets to the top of the
> > pile? By that time they'll have increased their population relative to
> > yours by a factor of ten. With that kind of population, they don't even
> > have to reach the 'top'... Force of numbers will take care of it.
>
> -This- one I feel informed enough to comment on: Central Africa at least,
> is in -deep- drek; AIDS is pandemic, and while a natural immunity probably
> will spring up there first, it's still going to rip holy drek out of a
> generation (I think; this is of course open to debate). If "force of
> numbers" was an issue, the British empire never would have gotten past the
> islands, IMHO. India seems to be a wonderful counterexample. Also take
> into account the brain drain, effects of colonialism, corruption, debt,
> and frequent tribalistion.
>
Blah blah. As a counter example, witness Japan in the late part of last
century. They had absulutely no blue water navy to speak of, and within
50 years they had assembled the naval force capable of attacking Pearl
Harbour.
> > The general egocentricity of believing that America will still be in
> > command is unbelievable..... I'm not even accounting for the destructive
> > events in the world timeline. Those kind of global catastrophes tend to
> > hurt those at the top the most.
>
> I've yet to see America (or the UCAS) at the top of any SR heap. CAS, Cal
> Free, the Tirs (both of 'em), Aztlan, all would like to talk to you about
> that UCAS dominance. Relative to overseas (Europe, Asia and Africa
> especially) there's no inclination that the UCAS does any weight throwing
> in 2057. We've got Japanese troops in San Fran, and absolutely no mention
> that I know of of American adventurism (see Grenada, Panama, etc.)
>
That's what the original poster was whinging about. I personally don't
see any problem with the schism of America into component parts.... but
he did.
> > You may not know it, but America has quite a bad reputation worldwide,
> > not the least because you are so righteous about how fantastic your own
> > country is and how the rest of the world are second class countries.
> > It's not something you decry loudly, but it shows in your cultures general
> > arrogance, intolerance and ignorance of other cultures.
> >
> > (Please do keep in mind that I said your culture, not you personally)
>
> (Side note: I think you read too many of those "U.S. #1 LOSERS!!!!
> threads. :)
>
Don't read them at all; I base my beliefs on a long and intimate
knowledge of American cultural exchange students, and general observation of
the behaviour of American tourists.
> > My advice regarding the fragmentation of America; Deal with it.
>
> Heck, I like it. But the "Ignorant American" sterotype is getting old, and
> has been for a while. While I'm no defender of real "american tourists" I
> don't really think there are so many as to perpetuate the stereotype. (Not
> like I -know- of course.)
>
It's still often a true stereotype, though; apparently a significant
number of high school grads in America, when asked where the Nile was,
stated that it defined the border between Canada and the US.
Hell, I'm quite happy to leave this thread here. I've stated my views,
you've stated yours. May we call a truce?
