Imagine you have a brother and he’s an alcoholic. He has his moments, but you keep your distance from him. You don’t mind him for the occasional family gathering or holiday. You still love him. But you don’t want to be around him.
This is how I lovingly describe my current relationship with the United States. The United States is my alcoholic brother. And although I will always love him, I don’t want to be near him at the moment.
I know that’s harsh, but I really feel my home country is not in a good place these days. That’s not a socio-economic statement (although that’s on the decline as well), but rather a cultural one.
I realize it’s going to be impossible to write sentences like the ones above without coming across as a raging prick, so let me try to soften the blow to my American readers with an analogy:
You know when you move out of your parents’ house and live on your own, how you start hanging out with your friends’ families and you realize that actually, your family was a little screwed up? Stuff you always assumed was normal your entire childhood, it turns out was pretty weird and may have actually fucked you up a little bit. You know, dad thinking it was funny to wear a Santa Claus hat in his underwear every Christmas or the fact that you and your sister slept in the same bed until you were 22, or that your mother routinely cried over a bottle of wine while listening to Elton John.
The point is we don’t really get perspective on what’s close to us until we spend time away from it. Just like you didn’t realize the weird quirks and nuances of your family until you left and spent time with others, the same is true for country and culture. You often don’t see what’s messed up about your country and culture until you step outside of it.
And so even though this article is going to come across as fairly scathing, I want my American readers to know: some of the stuff we do, some of the stuff that we always assumed was normal, it’s kind of screwed up. And that’s OK. Because that’s true with every culture. It’s just easier to spot it in others (i.e., the French) so we don’t always notice it in ourselves.
So as you read this article, know that I’m saying everything with tough love, the same tough love with which I’d sit down and lecture an alcoholic family member. It doesn’t mean I don’t love you. It doesn’t mean there aren’t some awesome things about you (BRO, THAT’S AWESOME!!!). And it doesn’t mean I’m some saint either, because god knows I’m pretty screwed up (I’m American, after all). There are just a few things you need to hear. And as a friend, I’m going to tell them to you.
And to my foreign readers, get your necks ready, because this is going to be a nod-a-thon.
A Little “What The Hell Does This Guy Know?” Background: I’ve lived in different parts of the US, both the deep south and the northeast. I have visited most of the US’s 50 states. I’ve spent the past three years living almost entirely outside of the United States. I’ve lived in multiple countries in Europe, Asia and South America. I’ve visited over 40 countries in all and have spent far more time with non-Americans than with Americans during this period. I speak multiple languages. I’m not a tourist. I don’t stay in resorts and rarely stay in hostels. I rent apartments and try to integrate myself into each country I visit as much as possible. So there.
(Note: I realize these are generalizations and I realize there are always exceptions. I get it. You don’t have to post 55 comments telling me that you and your best friend are exceptions. If you really get that offended from some guy’s blog post, you may want to double-check your life priorities.)
OK, we’re ready now. 10 things Americans don’t know about America.
1. Few People Are Impressed By Us
Unless you’re speaking with a real estate agent or a prostitute, chances are they’re not going to be excited that you’re American. It’s not some badge of honor we get to parade around. Yes, we had Steve Jobs and Thomas Edison, but unless you actually are Steve Jobs or Thomas Edison (which is unlikely) then most people around the world are simply not going to care. There are exceptions of course. And those exceptions are called English and Australian people. Whoopdie-fucking-doo.
As Americans, we’re brought up our entire lives being taught that we’re the best, we did everything first and that the rest of the world follows our lead. Not only is this not true, but people get irritated when you bring it to their country with you. So don’t.
2. Few People Hate Us
Despite the occasional eye-rolling, and complete inability to understand why anyone would vote for George W. Bush, people from other countries don’t hate us either. In fact — and I know this is a really sobering realization for us — most people in the world don’t really think about us or care about us. I know, that sounds absurd, especially with CNN and Fox News showing the same 20 angry Arab men on repeat for ten years straight. But unless we’re invading someone’s country or threatening to invade someone’s country (which is likely), then there’s a 99.99% chance they don’t care about us. Just like we rarely think about the people in Bolivia or Mongolia, most people don’t think about us much. They have jobs, kids, house payments — you know, those things called lives — to worry about. Kind of like us.
Americans tend to assume that the rest of the world either loves us or hates us (this is actually a good litmus test to tell if someone is conservative or liberal). The fact is, most people feel neither. Most people don’t think much about us.
Remember that immature girl in high school, who every little thing that happened to her meant that someone either hated her or was obsessed with her; who thought every teacher who ever gave her a bad grade was being totally unfair and everything good that happened to her was because of how amazing she was? Yeah, we’re that immature high school girl.
3. We Know Nothing About The Rest Of The World
For all of our talk about being global leaders and how everyone follows us, we don’t seem to know much about our supposed “followers.” They often have completely different takes on history than we do. Here were some brain-stumpers for me: the Vietnamese believe the Vietnam War was about China (not us), Hitler was primarily defeated by Russia (not us), Native Americans were wiped out largely disease and plague (not us), and the American Revolution was “won” because the British cared more about beating France (not us). Notice a running theme here?
(Hint: It’s not all about us.)
We did not invent democracy. We didn’t even invent modern democracy. There were parliamentary systems in England and other parts of Europe over a hundred years before we created government. In a recent survey of young Americans, 63% could not find Iraq on a map (despite being at war with them), and 54% did not know Sudan was a country in Africa. Yet, somehow we’re positive that everyone else looks up to us.
4. We Are Poor At Expressing Gratitude And Affection
There’s a saying about English-speakers. We say “Go fuck yourself,” when we really mean “I like you,” and we say “I like you,” when we really mean “Go fuck yourself.”
Outside of getting shit-housed drunk and screaming “I LOVE YOU, MAN!”, open displays of affection in American culture are tepid and rare. Latin and some European cultures describe us as “cold” and “passionless” and for good reason. In our social lives we don’t say what we mean and we don’t mean what we say.
In our culture, appreciation and affection are implied rather than spoken outright. Two guy friends call each other names to reinforce their friendship; men and women tease and make fun of each other to imply interest. Feelings are almost never shared openly and freely. Consumer culture has cheapened our language of gratitude. Something like, “It’s so good to see you” is empty now because it’s expected and heard from everybody.
In dating, when I find a woman attractive, I almost always walk right up to her and tell her that a) I wanted to meet her, and b) she’s beautiful. In America, women usually get incredibly nervous and confused when I do this. They’ll make jokes to defuse the situation or sometimes ask me if I’m part of a TV show or something playing a prank. Even when they’re interested and go on dates with me, they get a bit disoriented when I’m so blunt with my interest. Whereas, in almost every other culture approaching women this way is met with a confident smile and a “Thank you.”
5. The Quality of Life For The Average American Is Not That Great
If you’re extremely talented or intelligent, the US is probably the best place in the world to live. The system is stacked heavily to allow people of talent and advantage to rise to the top quickly.
The problem with the US is that everyone thinks they are of talent and advantage. As John Steinbeck famously said, the problem with poor Americans is that “they don’t believe they’re poor, but rather temporarily embarrassed millionaires.” It’s this culture of self-delusion that allows America to continue to innovate and churn out new industry more than anyone else in the world. But this shared delusion also unfortunately keeps perpetuating large social inequalities and the quality of life for the average citizen lower than most other developed countries. It’s the price we pay to maintain our growth and economic dominance.
In my Guide to Wealth, I defined being wealthy as, “Having the freedom to maximize one’s life experiences.” In those terms, despite the average American having more material wealth than citizens of most other countries (more cars, bigger houses, nicer televisions), their overall quality of life suffers in my opinion. American people on average work more hours with less vacation, spend more time commuting every day, and are saddled with over $10,000 of debt. That’s a lot of time spent working and buying crap and little time or disposable income for relationships, activities or new experiences.
6. The Rest Of The World Is Not A Slum-Ridden Shithole Compared To Us
In 2010, I got into a taxi in Bangkok to take me to a new six-story cineplex. It was accessible by metro, but I chose a taxi instead. On the seat in front of me was a sign with a wifi password. Wait, what? I asked the driver if he had wifi in his taxi. He flashed a huge smile. The squat Thai man, with his pidgin English, explained that he had installed it himself. He then turned on his new sound system and disco lights. His taxi instantly became a cheesy nightclub on wheels… with free wifi.
If there’s one constant in my travels over the past three years, it has been that almost every place I’ve visited (especially in Asia and South America) is much nicer and safer than I expected it to be. Singapore is pristine. Hong Kong makes Manhattan look like a suburb. My neighborhood in Colombia is nicer than the one I lived in in Boston (and cheaper).
As Americans, we have this naïve assumption that people all over the world are struggling and way behind us. They’re not. Sweden and South Korea have more advanced high speed internet networks. Japan has the most advanced trains and transportation systems. Norwegians make more money. The biggest and most advanced plane in the world is flown out of Singapore. The tallest buildings in the world are now in Dubai and Shanghai. Meanwhile, the US has the highest incarceration rate in the world.
What’s so surprising about the world is how unsurprising most of it is. I spent a week with some local guys in Cambodia. You know what their biggest concerns were? Paying for school, getting to work on time, and what their friends were saying about them. In Brazil, people have debt problems, hate getting stuck in traffic and complain about their overbearing mothers. Every country thinks they have the worst drivers. Every country thinks their weather is unpredictable. The world becomes, err… predictable.
7. We’re Paranoid
Not only are we emotionally insecure as a culture, but I’ve come to realize how paranoid we are about our physical security. You don’t have to watch Fox News or CNN for more than 10 minutes to hear about how our drinking water is going to kill us, our neighbor is going to rape our children, some terrorist in Yemen is going to kill us because we didn’t torture him, Mexicans are going to kill us, or some virus from a bird is going to kill us. There’s a reason we have more guns than people.
In the US, security trumps everything, even liberty. We’re paranoid.
I’ve probably been to 10 countries now that friends and family back home told me explicitly not to go because someone was going to kill me, kidnap me, stab me, rob me, rape me, sell me into sex trade, give me HIV, or whatever else. None of that has happened. I’ve never been robbed and I’ve walked through some of the shittiest parts of Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
In fact, the experience has been the opposite. In countries like Russia, Colombia or Guatemala, people were so friendly it actually scared me. Some stranger in a bar would invite me to his house for a bar-b-que with his family, a random person on the street would offer to show me around and give me directions to a store I was trying to find. My American instincts were always that, “Wait, this guy is going to try to rob me or kill me,” but they never did. They were just insanely friendly.
8. We’re Status-Obsessed And Seek Attention
I’ve noticed that the way we Americans communicate is usually designed to create a lot of attention and hype. Again, I think this is a product of our consumer culture: the belief that something isn’t worthwhile or important unless it’s perceived to be the best (BEST EVER!!!) or unless it gets a lot of attention (see: every reality-television show ever made).
This is why Americans have a peculiar habit of thinking everything is “totally awesome,” and even the most mundane activities were “the best thing ever!” It’s the unconscious drive we share for importance and significance, this unmentioned belief, socially beaten into us since birth that if we’re not the best at something, then we don’t matter.
We’re status-obsessed. Our culture is built around achievement, production and being exceptional. Therefore comparing ourselves and attempting to out-do one another has infiltrated our social relationships as well. Who can slam the most beers first? Who can get reservations at the best restaurant? Who knows the promoter to the club? Who dated a girl on the cheerleading squad? Socializing becomes objectified and turned into a competition. And if you’re not winning, the implication is that you are not important and no one will like you.
9. We Are Very Unhealthy
Unless you have cancer or something equally dire, the health care system in the US sucks. The World Health Organization ranked the US 37th in the world for health care, despite the fact that we spend the most per capita by a large margin.
The hospitals are nicer in Asia (with European-educated doctors and nurses) and cost a tenth as much. Something as routine as a vaccination costs multiple hundreds of dollars in the US and less than $10 in Colombia. And before you make fun of Colombian hospitals, Colombia is 28th in the world on that WHO list, nine spots higher than us.
A routine STD test that can run you over $200 in the US is free in many countries to anyone, citizen or not. My health insurance the past year? $65 a month. Why? Because I live outside of the US. An American guy I met living in Buenos Aires got knee surgery on his ACL that would have cost $10,000 in the US… for free.
But this isn’t really getting into the real problems of our health. Our food is killing us. I’m not going to go crazy with the details, but we eat chemically-laced crap because it’s cheaper and tastes better (profit, profit). Our portion sizes are absurd (more profit). And we’re by far the most prescribed nation in the world AND our drugs cost five to ten times more than they do even in Canada (ohhhhhhh, profit, you sexy bitch).
In terms of life expectancy, despite being the richest country in the world, we come in a paltry 38th. Right behind Cuba, Malta and the United Arab Emirates, and slightly ahead of Slovenia, Kuwait and Uruguay. Enjoy your Big Mac.
10. We Mistake Comfort For Happiness
The United States is a country built on the exaltation of economic growth and personal ingenuity. Small businesses and constant growth are celebrated and supported above all else — above affordable health care, above respectable education, above everything. Americans believe it’s your responsibility to take care of yourself and make something of yourself, not the state’s, not your community’s, not even your friend’s or family’s in some instances.
Comfort sells easier than happiness. Comfort is easy. It requires no effort and no work. Happiness takes effort. It requires being proactive, confronting fears, facing difficult situations, and having unpleasant conversations.
Comfort equals sales. We’ve been sold comfort for generations and for generations we bought: bigger houses, separated further and further out into the suburbs; bigger TV’s, more movies, and take-out. The American public is becoming docile and complacent. We’re obese and entitled. When we travel, we look for giant hotels that will insulate us and pamper us rather than for legitimate cultural experiences that may challenge our perspectives or help us grow as individuals.
Depression and anxiety disorders are soaring within the US. Our inability to confront anything unpleasant around us has not only created a national sense of entitlement, but it’s disconnected us from what actually drives happiness: relationships, unique experiences, feeling self-validated, achieving personal goals. It’s easier to watch a NASCAR race on television and tweet about it than to actually get out and try something new with a friend.
Unfortunately, a by-product of our massive commercial success is that we’re able to avoid the necessary emotional struggles of life in lieu of easy superficial pleasures.
Throughout history, every dominant civilization eventually collapsed because it became TOO successful. What made it powerful and unique grows out of proportion and consumes its society. I think this is true for American society. We’re complacent, entitled and unhealthy. My generation is the first generation of Americans who will be worse off than their parents, economically, physically and emotionally. And this is not due to a lack of resources, to a lack of education or to a lack of ingenuity. It’s corruption and complacency. The corruption from the massive industries that control our government’s policies, and the fat complacency of the people to sit around and let it happen.
There are things I love about my country. I don’t hate the US and I still return to it a few times a year. But I think the greatest flaw of American culture is our blind self-absorption. In the past it only hurt other countries. But now it’s starting to hurt ourselves.
So this is my lecture to my alcoholic brother — my own flavor of arrogance and self-absorption, even if slightly more informed — in hopes he’ll give up his wayward ways. I imagine it’ll fall on deaf ears, but it’s the most I can do for now. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some funny cat pictures to look at.
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Man, these are some strong opinions, but I must say that being married to an American and living here, I can agree with most of them!!! So sad. And I come from Italy…
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Interesting, even moving, it’s good to search outside ourselves for what’s right, what’s good, and what is important to all mankind, this world. Your thoughts took me back to a very good time in America. The fifties, the early sixties were pretty good years growing up. We were different, kinder, caring, responsible, and accountable. We cared about each other, our community, and most of all our country. Thank you for taking me back there even if it was just a memory.
As a active duty soldier I to have seen a lot of this world . Two tours in Nam;Okinawa before it went back to Japan as well after. and other far eastern countries then i went across the pond and served in Germany and travel a little and found if you showed respect it was returned . But you also had some that didn’t care for us and no matter what you did it didn’t change. But I also meant an older couple that told me to my face that American are lazy and are not trust worthy He was a brown shirt during the war and a Russian POW his wife still thought Hitler was the man so I do know that we are not perfect but I hate to say our biggest problem is the failure of parent don’t teach respect and does not require it now a day so what do you expect our young and there young to do but show there lack of education.
America’s faults are the same as anyone else’s.
I’ve traveled quite a lot as well and I find this article to be pretty true.
When I took my wife to Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, the people in America either were completely disinterested, or wondered why I would ever want to go to such places. An odd country, USA.
I found this blog while searching for some sort of article with regards to how narcissistic and ignorant we as Americans can be. I agree with just about every single word in this particular post, and I’ve curiously wandered around the rest of the site to come to fall in love with just about every one of your writings. I saw somewhere you said you hadn’t more than an Freshman equivalent in formal writing, but I love your style, and think you’re a genius. I’ll definitely be visiting this site often.
i think you’ll agree with me that the u.s.a.’s biggest problem is greed … from that all else stems
About people not hating you. That’s just not true. Actually USA is a fairly common topic (atleast compared to other countries!) among friends, relatives, and even in school around here. (I live in Sweden if it’s of any concern). This is because your country runs around fucking up everyones shit around the world and it also exports a really disgusting ultra capitalistic culture that destroys societies around the world. You, as a country, are a cancerous blight upon the earth in my opinion. Now, that said, most americans are good people. I realize this, so I’m not hating on you guys, more your foreign politics and fucked up culture, as stated before. Please stop this insane circus and become part of the global community instead of some self-appointed-world-police-officer-with-no-morale. Thanks
If you displaced America’s wealth, access to resources, and military strength, and gave it instead to a country like China or Iran, would the world be a better or worse place? Would any nation, for that matter, be a better nation sitting on similar power and resources? The honest answer is “no.” Human faults are universal. Ignorance, greed, and all the other bad qualities mentioned on this blog exist everywhere. America did not invent these things. They are just accented when America does them because America is the big boy on the block for now.
Nothing in this article struck me as something I didn’t already contemplate myself or find out from another source, usually foreign. I agree, we are bad, and many other citizen’s of prominent countries are the same way. I’m not hating on anyone but I have spoken with or read article from people in the UK, Russia, and Germany all believing they live in the greatest country on the planet and belittling any others that have contributed to history. I have no qualms with any of you guys/gals reading this, and I am sure many countries are guilty of this, it is a global problem. Patriotism needs to die, Nationalism needs to die for us to grow as a race. The walls that separate us need to be torn down, and the powers that be that want these walls up and each of us kept in our metaphorical cells need to be cast out. The internet is a beautiful thing, we can all talk to each other with unprecedented ease. My next sentence would be “Let’s use that for the good of human kind.” but people already are, the fact that this article exists is proof people everywhere are realizing the need as a species to cast aside our differences and prejudices. I am not preaching communism, I am not preaching anything to do with government, or religion. I am simply saying we need to start treating each other better. Human being to human being. Not giving a sh*t about anyone but yourself is not helping anyone, least of all yourself. We all know that it’s wrong. Let’s stop hurting each other, let’s stop killing each other, and let’s start being good to each other, and trusting each other again.
Continue the good work and people will continue to come to your blog! I have been updating my blogs, as well.
How old is the author? He sounds like a snotty 20. Oh yeah, I am positive he is just like a native in the short time he must have stayed in each of the 40 countries plus nearly all 50 states!
I only read the first fourth of the article, but by the tone and content I could tell where it was going.
The crises in America can be directly attributable to the Middleman Effect. Health Care is expensive because of litigation risks, brought on by non-value-added trial lawyers. A few bad doctors create an environment which threaten all the other good doctors which probably will never make a truly negligent mistake but because catastrophic loss is a reality in ONE lawsuit, they have to carry malpractice insurance. Health care was affordable at one point, but at the same time life expectancy was shorter. We have a lot more tools and equipment, but it’s up to an INFORMED CONSUMER to make the choices on what to purchase.
Imagine, as an example if you had to have FOOD CARE COVERAGE. What?!? If we started suing food manufacturers in some cases of negligence but then it got so predatory that mal-manufacturing insurance had to be covered and food prices increased.
We have a character problem in America and a “Get without Giving” mindset in too many people. We didn’t use to and this is because CONSUMPTION has been taught in schools instead of ETHICS or CITIZENSHIP. The problems we have now are largely POST-1970. In the WELFARE ERA. Yes I said it. There is a difference between Socialism where everyone contributes somehow, vs a non-sustainable system where the proportion of TAKERS vs. MAKERS increases to collapse or separation.
Also Norway has a lot of money because the are an OIL EXPORTER, like Saudi Arabia. They are living off the sales of their natural resources. Something we aren’t exploiting here.
You see, what makes America exceptional and great, is separation of powers and a mature industrial infrastructure. We need to fix our ideas of Personal Responsibility and Work Ethic. Both are Ancient and Immutable. We have 50 State Legislatures and 1 Federal Government. We have dozens of County Councils for every State Legislature. We have more than enough farmland, academic learning capacity, engineering ability and confidence to do whatever we want. Therin lies a crisis. What do we do now? I believe we ARE returning back to common sense principles which includes healthy eating and activities. Dropping the mobile devices for more hours a day will help. Ceasing the subsidy of a lifestyle without work is another. Anyone can work donated sections of farmland to feed themselves and their family. Sustainable Conservation vs. Paralyzed Environmentalism is another concept to pursue. Balance, Balance, Balance. Moving from naivete to cynicism was our past. Now moving from cynicism to balanced wisdom is our future.
We are witnessing Liberalism’s Last Scream.
You know – separation of powers isn’t an American thing. Most modern democracies have it. It’s been around since Ancient Greece.
Hmm, very interesting. There is surely truth to each side; however, as a member of the Anishinaabe, this is my native land and I’d have to disagree largely with the majority of these statements. Certainly there are conflicts and issues at hand, though that is much more easily seen than what is working (and there are things that are working). My own opinion aside; realizing these attributes, being critical of our ways of life and raising awareness of these things is a great first step- then, it’s important that we try and apply those criticisms to ways of improvement (in addition to voicing your thoughts!).
as someone who has lived overseas for 7 continuous years and was married to a Native American, I would agree with you but point out that the author does not have Native Americans in mind very much. (he should) He is pretty right on in talking about the majority of Americans who don’t know jack about the rest of the world and think that the USA is so much better… and that everyone wants to move there. Most Europeans I know are afraid of getting shot in America and would rather visit Egypt or somewhere Americans think is ‘violent.’
This guy is wrong. I think that many Americans do know these things.
50% of Americans don’t believe evolution is real. 40% think climate change is a hoax. 20% think Obama is a Muslim. And 25% think that Jesus is going to come back in their lifetime…
I don’t think they know these things.
Yeah? You should poll a few people in some of these enlightened countries to find out what they think – one fact you might find many of them skeptical about is that man has ever traveled to the moon. Why? Because in the midset of their own national identity, they cannot imagine that a nation could ever undertake something so incredible. So they may tell you something like: the CIA made it up. Why? Because in their country, that what government agencies do, they just make stuff up. I don’t get your point – but I also don’t think you do either.
Take it from someone who’s lived in 12 countries in the last 10 years, mostly Asia and the Middle East…you have no clue at all what you’re talking about. The idea that this has gone viral is evidence that most people in the world have never stepped out of their homeland and learn most of what they know from retards like you on Facebook.
I.E. Few people are impressed by us? I don’t think they should be. However, they are.
If you had ever taken a pony ride out of whatever shithole you live in, you would realize if you meet people in Asia/Middle East and you say you’re from the US, they immediately have tons of questions about life there. If you’re sitting next to a douchebag from Canada (where I would assume you’re from), the first question they’ll ask is…can you pass the salt, please.
using words like “retard” and “douchebag (from canada)” really give your argument credibility.
Have you even ever considered that those people in Asia, and the rest of the world ask this about every country. Not because they think your country is awesome but because they are truly interested in the person they talk to.
I haven’t read one convincing argument in this entire article or the comments thereafter. Talking (bragging) about however many countries you’ve lived in doesn’t make you a scholar on what kind of society or culture is best…you cannot visit everywhere and know everything. Travel and knowledge only provides you with very small, miniscule pieces of information that is part of something greater than we can ever imagine.
Believing that one culture or society is better than another is the definition of prejudice. The fact that we are even having a discussion about this is pretty prejudice itself. We need to be humbled by the reality that no one ever can completely understand the opinions, cultures, beliefs etc. of every other rational thinking person. And no amount of travel or knowledge (although it does help) can ever make us understand the complete truth (referring to my statement in the first paragraph).
As a counterpoint to the video that the author posted, the good old days that the actor is talking about were not nearly as good as he claims. The days in the United States when we used to “stand up for what was right…fight for moral reasons…”, as the actor says, were also the days when minorities and women were being marginalized for who they are. On the whole, the quality of life in the United States is slightly better today than it was during the good old days that he wishes he could return to.
Additionally, during the days that he longs for, the quality of life in countries other than the United States, on the whole, was much worse. Though the world community’s q.o.l. is still not perfect and occasionally has some setbacks, on the whole it is getting better, therefore he is completely wrong and misinformed in his opinion. So no, while life nowhere is perfect, I would not want to travel back in time, especially since I am a woman and would be one of the marginalized ones. …Because I am a woman in the US today, my q.o.l. is better now than it ever was in the US – how does that make me part of the “Worst. Generation. Ever.”, as he claims?
Last statement about the video, if you want to have people espouse to your belief system, yelling at people, cursing, calling them names, and speaking to them like you are a better person will actually do the opposite. The only thing that it proves is that you are cocky and cannot stand the person(s) whom you are yelling at (another sign of prejudice). No one has any right to ever think they are better than someone else, whether that person is a sorority girl, a conservative, a Tea Party Republican, a polygamist, a liberal, a fellow classmate, a foreigner, or a Tibetan monk. This video is ironic because although he is accusing everyone else of this problem, he might be the most prejudice person in the room, or at least just as prejudice as his opponents (we cannot tell, since no one else in the video really speaks much).
The question is not who is or is not the greatest country in the world. As mentioned before, recognizing that question as a legitimate topic is prejudice itself. Every nation in the world has serious problems that we all are required to fix. One good thing to do every day is to look into yourself and ask how you’re trying to fix the problem. No one else has a right to accuse you of these problems if he is not looking within himself first.
It’s an opinion piece. And I never said America is better/worse than other cultures.
Thanks for reading closely.
the fact that “america is the greatest country in the world” is an opinion held and espoused so commonly in the US is what makes it a legitimate topic. the idea is prejudiced, but the discussion of such is not.
The biggest problem in America is nobody has a sense of nationalism anymore… Everyone wants to apologize for being American… Our Universities have created a bunch of self conscious, self entitled, flip flopping babies who can’t think for themselves… Do yourself a favor and work for a living, rather than travel the world on your parents money and then back stab the very people who have helped you become so “enlightened.” You would be a disgrace to any country, it just so happens you’re American. Please stay in Europe. America doesn’t need anymore people like you!
I do work for a living, thank you.
And nationalism is senseless… life is 95% the same everywhere.
Maybe it is, but it exists. And clearly being a citizen of this country has awarded you many opportunities, so why do you bash it? You can sit here and say all day that you are just making observations but in reality YOU are the one who creates such a bad name for us. I spent 6 years in the infantry traveling the world, and not just Europe. I’ve been to places that you can’t get to with a passport and some money. Let me tell you that there are people dying to come to this country and never will be able to. All your doing is mocking them. To them, living in America would be a dream come true. Maybe it’s a false thought, but assholes like you going around and spreading shit like this about your own country creates that “arrogant american” stigma that we all have to deal with. Put it this way… Would you go around talking shit about your family to your friends because even though they gave you everything you needed, they embarrassed you a few times in public when you were a child? Same concept. Instead of being a critic be an ambassador. Respect other cultures while respecting your own. It will get a more positive feedback from your host nation trust me. You are the epitome of a SPOILED AMERICAN!
Just because America is better than some places and better for many people doesn’t mean it’s without criticism. I’m extremely fortunate to have grown up in the US and I’m grateful for that, but it doesn’t mean I have to shut up and always be happy about the place. Because I’m not. I believe Jefferson said that it’s our patriotic duty to criticize and question one’s own government. I would imagine that extends to culture as well.
You aren’t criticizing American culture, you are attacking it. You can call it what you want to fit your little book report, but there is no class to any of your statements. Are you really quoting Jefferson!? I didn’t know the guy but i’d be willing to bet he would bitch slap you for these comments. And you are entitled to your opinion of course. After all, these are just my opinions, but I’d be willing to bet I’ve had more life experience than you, and to good working class people who earn a living in this country, we have more respect for it. To us you just sound like a child. I imagine you don’t care, and why should you? However, one day you will look back at your opinions and realize what a traitorous bitch you sound like. Have some pride. Have some loyalty. Theres nothing arrogant about backing up your own culture. And trust me, you aren’t gaining any respect from other cultures by writing this shit. Over-used statement, but perfectly fitting… “Love it or Leave it!”
People are dying (often literally) to get to other countries too. Like New Zealand (where we generally welcome them) and Australia (where they don’t).
America as a nation is incredibly self-absorbed. Matt- your attitude demonstrates this perfectly. You are simply unable to accept criticism and label it as an attack rather than as impetus to do something about it.
All those wonderful things you say about America – you’re not the only country with them. In fact, for the most part, more socialist countries (like New Zealand) have greater freedom for all, rather than just for the privileged.
America is a great country. They have produced many great things. But they have also (with the collusion of Britain and Australia) totally fucked up large parts of the globe.
You were in Iraq and Afghanistan? Is that supposed to mean something to me? Being part of a false war? Jesus, get over yourself. These attitudes you express, they are precisely why America is failing the way it is.
Priveledged? You get what you work for in America. Plain and simple. The simple fact that you think a socialized society is “more freedom for all” shows me exactly how inexperienced you are, not to mention lazy. Have you ever experienced socialized health care? Have you ever waited over a year for a surgery that took 10 minutes in a doctors office, because he had no incentive to treat you? Get over MYSELF you say? Of course I wouldn’t expect you to be impressed by me. Your attitude shows that you probably never put in a real day of work in your life, never mind be impressed by someone who has. As far as America being a self absorbed country; you again prove how little you have experienced in life. If you spent a day in any other country you would see there isn’t a place on earth that doesn’t fall into that category. I’ve been in stadiums for international sporting events in England, Canada, and Mexico and witnessed the booing of Americas national anthem almost every time. Countries like Britain and Australia have some of the most loud and proud people. The English won’t waste one second to display their heritage or sing “god save the queen” in your face. Is that not considered self absorbed? People like you just can’t be pleased. Ive said numerous times in my posts that America has it’s problems. Theres no question. But your hostility is completely misdirected, and so is this article. You have generalized Americans. There are so many walks of life and to say this is how we all act is just completely false! And all ill say about the “false war” comment is this… Maybe it was, but please tell me what a “correct war” is my man. At least I had the balls to be a part of something bigger then myself. And I’d put all my chips on the table and say I learned more usable skills in one week in the Army than you have in all your poli-sci classes you chump.
hey, a great way to shoot yourself in the foot (thanks to the 2nd amendment) is to start dropping b-bombs! On the “love it or leave it” which you accurately describe as tired… 1) I believe he has already left it (see “…i still return a few times a year…”) and that he still actually loves it. 2) refer to the alcoholic brother analogy… wouldn’t you try to help a loved one with a problem instead of abandoning them?
Yup, “still returns a few times a year.” Like I said, “The Epitome of a Spoiled American!” Just like a kid who goes off to school and wants to be independent, but goes back to mommy and daddy’s house to raid there refrigerator and ask for money.
My husband is a British citizen, I’m American and we live in the states still now 13 years together. Kudos for this post, you are soo “spot-on” as my hub says. Sadly in our experience this is 100% correct and thank you for taking words from my American mouth. He and I are in our 50s now with health problems and cannot afford private health care insurance yet make enough to not get federal medical aid, so to live out our golden years are relocating to the UK where my hubs still a citizen. I consider myself very lucky to have this option but worry about the rest of my family. I shouldnt have to!
I think everyone on this thread needs to watch Team America: World Police…
A movie with puppets made by the same people who did south park? Yea DKMN, and you want to be taken seriously? I don’t form my opinions based on the movies or documentaries I’ve seen.
Mmmh, a little harsh, don’t you think. My parents are from Iraq, pre-Saddam and since they left they’ve never had a desire to return. To my parents, America was just not a piece land, but also an idea. Ideas of equality, justice, enlightenment, separation of church and state, freedom of religion, etc. We do not always live up to our ideals, in fact we rarely do, take the civil rights area or present day homophobia. But I think they at least they influence our general discourse to some degree.
I am also gay. In America and Europe, we are debating my right to marry. If I were born in Iraq, society would be debating if I had a right to live. America has it’s problems but it is still one the best places to be on earth (including Canada, Australia, Western Europe, etc). Just ask the millions of Indians, Chinese, Africans, Eastern Europeans who dream of coming here.
Yes, our country has tremendous problems, and we are far from perfect. But give us a little credit, they gave my family and I freedom. Western Civilization, encompassing not just America but Western Europe as well, is the greatest triumph of human culture. Have some respect
Well said. I myself have been in Iraq and Afghanistan combined for almost 3 years of my life. Not to mention many eastern European countries. Some people travel to other CIVILIZED countries and think they have everything figured out. People like your parents who have seen the darkest areas of this world won’t take this country for granted. I’m not saying that we don’t have problems in America, and yes we should address these issues. However, this article wrongfully accuses ALL Americans as unintelligent people, who have no respect for other cultures and are completely full of themselves. They say i’m ignorant because I don’t agree with this blog but all I’m doing is voicing the other side of the argument. Who’s really the ignorant ones?
Matt,
I’ve lived abroad for 7 years now, and traveled extensively before that. This author is like many I have come across. There is certainly much to be learned from different cultures, as the many non-Americans who are my friends and colleagues have told me about my own American behaviors. But this guy doesn’t get it – he desperately wants to get it, but I know he just doesn’t – because I can spot it in the first paragraph that he has never really put it all on the line when the cards were against him, and come out on top – then had to soberly look back and acknowledge that what he learned growing up in America made a big difference.
Absolutely Ken. Everyone on here that feels the same way as the author has the same simple argument. They say if we don’t agree with it then we’re the ones who can’t take criticism, and then go on to pretend like that is a problem that only exists in America. Even if I agreed with the article, theres no denying it’s insignificance. He hasn’t accomplished anything by writing it. It proves nothing as I’m sure you could find a person from anywhere who has the same feelings about their own country. As you pointed out, he’s trying so hard that in doing so, he has revealed his own ignorance on the subject and has shared the traits of the same people he’s describing in his post.
“So a taxi cab in Bangkok with wi-fi is a definitive statement on how good the standard of living is in Thailand?”
-HAHA exactly what I was thinking when I read it. He’s pretty easily amused this guy. He didn’t know WI-FI existed in countries other than Europe and America? We’re the clueless ones?
America is huge quite frankly it should be split up for how different all the regions are. I grew up in Nebraska and have since made the move to ohio it seems the farther I got away from the small town atmosphere the more people cared about themselves. Not saying the people aren’t nice they just seem afraid to expose who they are more. But the display of affection towards my male counterparts back home was always with hugs and genuine affection. Before you can make remarks on how you would rather live and all of these other countries maybe you should go to a town of 500 people in the Midwest and get a true feeling for the real heart of America.
In a culture where a woman’s no may not be listened to, there’s some reasons why an American woman might act confused or scared if you randomly told her she was attractive.
http://freethoughtblogs.com/brutereason/2013/05/02/why-you-shouldnt-tell-that-random-girl-on-the-street-that-shes-hot/
“In dating, when I find a woman attractive, I almost always walk right up to her and tell her that a) I wanted to meet her, and b) she’s beautiful. In America, women usually get incredibly nervous and confused when I do this. They’ll make jokes to defuse the situation or sometimes ask me if I’m part of a TV show or something playing a prank. Even when they’re interested and go on dates with me, they get a bit disoriented when I’m so blunt with my interest. Whereas, in almost every other culture approaching women this way is met with a confident smile and a “Thank you.” ”
- That’s because what you’re doing “almost always” isn’t forward – it’s creepy. Forward is the walking up to her part; try not to spit out some beta-doting nonsense about her looks and come up with something creative and maybe they’ll stop looking at you like the creeper you are.
Funny, because it still works, they just get embarrassed.
Betas hide behind “something creative.” Alphas aren’t ashamed to express themselves. Get with the program.
Are you discussing Alpha vs Beta? Being “alpha” as you say is not about how you approach a woman; it is about how you live your life. Nothing about you or your writing says alpha to me.
I liked a lot of this article. But walking up to a woman like that is so NOT okay in many, many parts of the world. I’m Indian. If an Indian man did this to me, I’d be offended / brush him off / in no way find him a viable date. I’d think he was poorly raised and a “roadside Romeo,” tacky at best and downright rude at worst. In fact, that IS how I view the many Indian men who do do this, as do most women.
Maybe India / South Asia was the exception when you said this works in most places (a bit silly, since it constitutes ~1/6 of the world’s population). Maybe you tried this in South Asia and didn’t get a weird reaction. If so, I’d argue that you probably didn’t because people tolerated you as the white guy. Colonialism’s legacy is still being deferential to white folks, no matter how nutty / off-base we think they are or how they get secretly scammed.
The point is this: don’t assume gender relations are as simple as you think everywhere else.
All of Europe, all of Latin America, parts of Asia (depends), Australia/NZ, and yes, even in much of the US/Canada.
I can totally see this not working at all in India. But I think India is the exception here.
Live in Australia, which is like a mini America (in terms of population) with out the fucked up politics. I’ve only been here a year and couldn’t agree more. I do understand why citizens don’t want to believe these arguments, it sucks having to question what you’ve come to know to be true, like finding out you’ve been adopted or something. But we do need to recognize that the US is far from perfect. Listen to people, hear about different experiences in the world, and don’t get defensive, do it with an open mind, recognize that maybe you don’t know everything already and that that is okay, these are not personal attacks the are global observations. Thanks for the article
I’m living in Australia. I’ve only been here a year and this article really embodies what I have found as well. I do understand why citizens don’t want to see the truth in these arguments, it sucks having to question what you’ve come to know to be true, like finding out you’ve been adopted or something. But we do need to recognize that the U.S. is far from perfect so we can focus on finding solutions. As individuals we need to learn to listen to people, hear about different experiences in the world, without getting defensive, do it with an open mind, recognize that maybe you don’t know everything already and that that is okay, these are not personal attacks they are global observations. Thanks for the article
As a single, American woman who has extensively traveled the world alone, I could not agree more. I’ve made the same points several times to my passport-challenged, childhood friends only to be told I am wrong based on pure assumption (the thing that most drives me crazy about Americans, btw). That being said, let me be decidedly un-American and express my gratitude for you nailing this article and my weak-kneed affection for someone that “gets it”. And if you’re ever in Nashville, drinks are on me.
So…unfortunately I’m an American. But having traveled abroad I agree 100% with these. Especially the trading happiness for comfort bit. Also you got a book sale out of me
Michael, considering that you just graduated from college, I’m not surprised at your remark. I read some things on your site and you seem like a mature and intelligent young man. I don’t think in 20 years you will be so apologetic about being American. I’m 42 and have worked in 7 different countries since leaving college 20 years ago myself. Right now, your peer group is mainly other students and recent graduates, a cohort which is typically thick with ideas and ideology, and thin on experience. It is also normally a pretty self involved group as well. I’d imagine you probably didn’t fit in with the mainstream at times, because you aren’t like that. Don’t let that feeling lead you to believe that the writer is correct in his generalizations of America, and comparison to America as “an alcoholic brother”. Much of what he says about other cultures is only true if you happen to be one of the intellectual elite of those cultures. Want to see some serious backwards rednecks? Go to nearly any rural town (not a “small country town”, I mean a back road middle of nowhere place) deep in Eastern Europe and you will find at least one story of some young woman who was literally sold into prostitution. Or a story about a local drug lord who rules the area. Or a story about a local criminal gang who extorts everyone else. And no, it’s not so that they can “survive” because they are poor. It’s because they are selfish and they wanted money for the same “materialistic” reasons the author criticizes the US. Only they are willing to engage in slavery to get it. On top of it, the local authorities are often involved. Most of the law abiding citizens in these places would give their life savings to move to a boring life in a small town in Indiana or Ohio. I am serious – I’ve met them. Even in large cities, in some of the most modern western countries, people do not hesitate to engage in completely dishonest business, knowing that they can defraud the other party easily and face no penalties for doing so. So even though America has it’s problems (and I agree that we do), the author is way off base in his generalizations and comparisons to other cultures. I hope you keep thinking critically – I think it will lead you towards a more balanced understanding.
I don’t think America is all wrong. But the dysfunction and corruption in Washington along with the consumerist culture has me completely turned off. I feel like the system is broken and not going to get better. And then I look at other countries, especially in Europe, and it just seems to work so much better.
Politics in Europe better than in the US? I’ve lived in Europe since 2005 and let me tell you, what would be horrible corruption that would put a US congressperson in jail for years would hardly make the news here. Political parties – Europe is the place where the far right wing parties still end up with 10%+ representation in legislative bodies. Politics are a mess here. I some countries, you don’t even get to elect people to parliament – you vote only for a party, and then the party decides who they put in to represent you. Dysfunction? I recently was stuck in a snowstorm for 24 hours along with thousands of others on a major highway, and only in the 20th hour, long after the storm stopped, did anyone at all come out to help. Never a national guard helicopter, or emergency crews, no medical supplies or food brought to us. Americans travel to Europe, talk with a few people, see some beautiful sights, and then go home thinking everyone back in the US are morons and the country is a boring landscape of nothing. I love European architecture – it let me tell you, a lot of those stately buildings that look so decayed – they are decayed, for real. Sometimes they even just fall right down. So there is good and bad here, but there are a lot of days that I wish for some thing or other to be similar to the way it is in the US. And you know what – a lot of my European friends completely agree! They are sick of corruption, traffic jams, living in tiny apartments, and paying enormous taxes. But they also like 30+ days of vacation (and so do I). It’s a give and take, but you need to be here awhile to see past the romantic elements. Then you will appreciate America more than ever before.
I have also lived overseas for more than seven years and I think that most of what the author is saying is true. People are not any more concerned about the USA than they are about Lithuania. It is just another country. IN the USA however, most people think that the US is so important and that every one is thinking about “US”. Of course a poor person anywhere might want a piece of grass in Ohio or Indiana or France or the UK, or Canada or New Zealand or Australia – anywhere with a decent standard of living… But we in the US DON’T have it better than everyone else. I can eat the bestest fresh fruit and vegetables in Turkey and get good meat with no steroids… a lovely baguette … just real food. Of course I’ll pay extra for imported stuff if I want it. But regular food that regular people need to live is better because it has not been messed up with GMOs or whatever the heck is going on in America.
HLG- true about the food in Europe, but let’s hope you don’t have a car accident in Turkey (especially in Istanbul). Good luck reaching a hospital in time to be properly cared for. I’m just sayin….
Firstly, the writer lived out of the US for THREE whole years – whoop-tee-do. Sorry but this reads like the same drivel I’ve heard a million times from Americans who finally travel abroad and spend half their time talking in bars about how out of touch Americans back home are, just to make themselves feel more Bohemian and enlightened – when in fact they aren’t really seeing or understanding anything about the country they are visiting. They are just developing half baked opinions based on the most recent chat they had with some foreign law student in a cafe someplace. So a taxi cab in Bangkok with wi-fi is a definitive statement on how good the standard of living is in Thailand? If you want to understand the standard of living in Thailand – get the hell out of Bangkok! I’ll admit each point has a “grain of truth” to it, but let’s also be clear, America is a big country. Just because someone in Des Moines doesn’t know that Hungary has world famous wines or that Japan practices Shintoism does not make them a doofus. If that guy from Des Moines has traveled to each coast of his own country, he’s covered a lot of geography – more than many other small town Europeans have. As someone who has been to over 50 countries around the world, and lived 8 years in Europe, I can attest that there are a lot of ignorant “rednecks” in every culture. The writer strikes me as someone who has spent a lot of time with too many somewhat intellectual foreigners instead of the average person in the countries visited, and hasn’t really developed a fair sample to base opinions on. And by the way, the Russians did NOT win the war against Hitler, by a looooong stretch friends. REALLY!
I love the part about how we’re “raised to think we’re the best” ummmm everyone thinks “they’re” the best, but when we claim it, it’s a problem. Die screaming.
Awesome post, Mark. Usually the only people who have a problem with this type of ideology are the warmongers, and you know as well as I do that you cannot argue with them. Or anyone who regularly watches American news and television. Americans who do not agree with the politics of American life have just as much say as those who do. Change never comes from those who grow lazy and fat and eat what they are fed…
Kelly, so by your reasoning: liberal rant = truth; disagreement with liberal rant = warmonger; warmonger = absolute belief in “their truth”; therefore absolute belief in “their truth” = ????
Where does this lead us back to, princess?
I enjoyed your post. I too love my country despite its’ grandiosity. I agree with many of your points. A little self awareness and self criticism is good for anyone from any culture. I wish Americans were more comfortable with a good argument.
1. Few People Are Impressed By Us
- Huh? The title of this article is “10 things most Americans don’t know about America” right? The media’s portrayal of the rest of the world’s opinion on America has been one of distaste so why would Americans not already know this? In regards to this, “unless you’re speaking with a real estate agent or a prostitute, chances are they’re not going to be excited that you’re American”, you must be pretty boring because most of the people I talk to in Europe are excited to ask about Chicago.
2. Few People Hate Us
“Despite the occasional eye-rolling, and complete inability to understand why anyone would vote for George W. Bush, people from other countries don’t hate us either. In fact — and I know this is a really sobering realization for us — most people in the world don’t really think about us or care about us.”
- Ironically in all the years I’ve spent in Europe I’ve never got into a debate with someone about George Bush. Do you spend all your time in coffee shops arguing politics with the European intellectual elite?
3. We Know Nothing About The Rest Of The World
- Well I guess since you wrote this article and are an American it’s pretty hard to argue with the point when you basically prove it through your lack of knowledge.
4. We Are Poor At Expressing Gratitude And Affection
“When dating, when I find a woman attractive, I almost always walk right up to her and tell her that a) I wanted to meet her, and b) she’s beautiful.”
- Maybe American girls don’t like that method of gratitude and affection because they can smell a bullshit angle from a mile away?
5. The Quality of Life For The Average American Is Not That Great
“If you’re extremely talented or intelligent, the US is probably the best place in the world to live. The system is stacked heavily to allow people of talent and advantage to rise to the top quickly.”
- Sorry but America has the second highest per-capita income in the world. Maybe you call extremely high taxation and sitting around in coffee shops discussing George Bush high “quality of life” – I do not.
“In my Guide to Wealth, I defined being wealthy as”
- How old are you? …because you sure seem like a self-proclaimed ‘know-it-all’
6. The Rest Of The World Is Not A Slum-Ridden Shithole Compared To Us
“In 2010, I got into a taxi in Bangkok to take me to a new six-story cineplex. It was accessible by metro, but I chose a taxi instead. On the seat in front of me was a sign with a wifi password. Wait, what?”
- Huh? Who thinks Thailand is a slum-ridden shithole? We all have access to Google and have seen The Hangover part II… The internet was invented in America yet somehow’s a Thai taxi’s use of it gets you excited?
7. We’re Paranoid
“Not only are we emotionally insecure as a culture, but I’ve come to realize how paranoid we are about our physical security. We’re Paranoid”
- Pure opinion and there are numerous examples of countries far more “paranoid” per your definition than the USA.
8. We’re Status-Obsessed And Seek Attention
“I’ve noticed that the way we Americans communicate is usually designed to create a lot of attention and hype. Again, I think this is a product of our consumer culture: the belief that something isn’t worthwhile or important unless it’s perceived to be the best (BEST EVER!!!) or unless it gets a lot of attention (see: every reality-television show ever made).”
- Oh please. Another ridiculous assertion. Have you been to Eastern European nightclubs or Russia? The attention-whoring is on a whole new level. Have you seen the mile-long line of Asian returning home from Frankfurt International awaiting there Value Added Tax refunds with suitcases full of designer clothing and accessories?
9. We Are Very Unhealthy
“Unless you have cancer or something equally dire, the health care system in the US sucks. The World Health Organization ranked the US 37th in the world for health care, despite the fact that we spend the most per capita by a large margin.”
- Americans of European descent are as healthy as Europeans. Americans of African descent are as healthy as Africans. We rank 37th because of the great diversity of our nation.
10. We Mistake Comfort For Happiness
“The United States is a country built on the exaltation of economic growth and personal ingenuity. Small businesses and constant growth are celebrated and supported above all else — above affordable health care, above respectable education, above everything. Americans believe it’s your responsibility to take care of yourself and make something of yourself, not the state’s, not your community’s, not even your friend’s or family’s in some instances.
Comfort sells easier than happiness. Comfort is easy. It requires no effort and no work. Happiness takes effort. It requires being proactive, confronting fears, facing difficult situations, and having unpleasant conversations. ”
- This just looks like you ran out of nonsense to write about so came up with something subjective and silly.
Let’s face it. This article is the subjective compilation of a self-professed “pick-up artist” who spends most of his time roving around hostels and coffee shops mingling with 22y/o international college students discussing George Bush and the great sins of America. Your article is a complete load of hogwash.
Great reply… Nail on the head.
“(Note: I realize these are generalizations and I realize there are always exceptions. I get it. You don’t have to post 55 comments telling me that you and your best friend are exceptions. If you really get that offended from some guy’s blog post, you may want to double-check your life priorities.)”
What kind of a tropical bug climbed into your shorts this morning? Haha, the magnitude of your patheticalness oozes through every word you typed here, sir. I’m sorry you’re so unhappy!
Don’t forget to double-check those priorities (:
Meh, the problem with making a statement about quality of life is that it is all relative. Western civilization looks at a tribe in Africa and says “poor quality of life”. In reality, members of that tribe may be happier than most people in the world because they were born and grew up in the lifestyle, however primitive it might seem, yet they have everything they need. Yes they may spend all day working for their food, but if that’s what they know and what they do, who are you to interpret how rich or poor their quality of life is if they don’t know the difference? Having 6 weeks of vacation does not equal higher quality of life for everyone.
America is about having the freedom to decide whether or not you want to become successful, or live in the streets. There are too many success stories of uneducated people becoming the most successful people in the country. The author has made the decision to do the type of work that will generate him enough revenue and freedom to travel the globe. You don’t need a specific office location to write books and a blog. He is an American, doing what Americans do: work to be successful.