Incurious Americans
There were several posts in this community about how anti-intellectual and ignorant some Americans are. So I as I was reading the news I came across a great example. Read on...
Imagine that a man known throughout the world is coming to your city. A man who is not just a Nobel Peace Prize winner, but one of those who make this award less ridicules than it is. This is a man who fought to overthrow the totalitarian dictatorship in his country, was the leader of the struggle, and then was the first freely elected president. He was proclaimed "man of the year" by Time, Financial Times, and The Observer.
In addition to the Nobel medal, he has a whole pack of various international medals of freedom, he is a knight of the most diverse orders, including the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. He is an honorary citizen of London (if I understand correctly, it gives him the right to duty-free transport of sheep across London Bridge, Eisenhower had the same honor). Plus he has some thirty honorary degrees from the most famous universities around the world, including Harvard, Columbia, Fordham and Notre Dame.
If this does not inflames your interest, this person was given the highest award of your own country. He was the third foreigner ever (and first non-head of state), who was allowed to give a speech to the Congress.
And so he came to your city and state - because he believes that there is an important political event taking place, and he wants to take part in it. What do you think, how much attention he would give the local newspapers and television?
You guessed it. Almost none.
PS On the other hand, some might argue that I am judging superficially, and what I accept for the lack of intellectual curiosity and inertness, is just keeping the leftist democratic party line. I do not know. It is hard to say. But, if someone knows how the two can be distinguished, - tell me.
Imagine that a man known throughout the world is coming to your city. A man who is not just a Nobel Peace Prize winner, but one of those who make this award less ridicules than it is. This is a man who fought to overthrow the totalitarian dictatorship in his country, was the leader of the struggle, and then was the first freely elected president. He was proclaimed "man of the year" by Time, Financial Times, and The Observer.
In addition to the Nobel medal, he has a whole pack of various international medals of freedom, he is a knight of the most diverse orders, including the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. He is an honorary citizen of London (if I understand correctly, it gives him the right to duty-free transport of sheep across London Bridge, Eisenhower had the same honor). Plus he has some thirty honorary degrees from the most famous universities around the world, including Harvard, Columbia, Fordham and Notre Dame.
If this does not inflames your interest, this person was given the highest award of your own country. He was the third foreigner ever (and first non-head of state), who was allowed to give a speech to the Congress.
And so he came to your city and state - because he believes that there is an important political event taking place, and he wants to take part in it. What do you think, how much attention he would give the local newspapers and television?
You guessed it. Almost none.
PS On the other hand, some might argue that I am judging superficially, and what I accept for the lack of intellectual curiosity and inertness, is just keeping the leftist democratic party line. I do not know. It is hard to say. But, if someone knows how the two can be distinguished, - tell me.