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Originally Posted by wiggledbits
I agree with that but um that coming from Europe where 2 world wars in less than 20 years originated and better than 1/2 million Americans died as well as countless Europeans, being lectured on history will not sit well with some US peoples. I think being "blunt" is part of what got us to the place that we are. As well as technology of the time not being able to do much to us from that continent.
After all 50 years ago Europe was ruled mostly from cousins doing other cousins. Small gene pool and lots of pettiness.
I'm just saying...
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I'm not saying that Europeans, or Asians, or Indonesians or Africans or Eskimos are somehow better at history than Americans. Obviously, history has shown that most people suck at it, what whit so many repetitions and all. I'm just saying it wouldn't hurt to educate oneself at least about the basic patterns of human behaviour. We live in a world where there has never before been so few wars, conflicts or simple murders and most of this is due to technology that allows information to flow more freely. On that subject it's worth to watch:
Steven Pinker on the myth of violence (19 min. presentation).
As far as bluntness goes I believe it's down to whether or not you can afford it, as opposed to it being a willful stand or personal choice. Meaning that those in power will strive to keep it and strengthen their position, and being mild and reserved is no way to do it.
And being thousands of miles away from the nearest serious threat helps as well.