Foreign orbs and orbettes

[casualbb]

How much do you know about the US?

Many of the people participating in political debate here seem to know as much or more than many of the US residents.

That got me to thinking, there isn't one other country that I even know the head of state of. Okay okay, Mexico has Vicente Fox, and Britain has Tony Blair. But that's all I got. And I read the news pretty frequently.

Why is there such a US-foreign gap in general world awareness? Our people don't know crap and frankly it's embarrassing

 

[MAX 300]

Hmmm, US political events are very covered around the world, at least in Australia. In fact I would guess that the upcoming US election is being covered as much, if not more, here as our own upcoming federal election.

Why is that? Well, for one Australian politics is as boring as bedshit to start with. So if you want to talk about politics, the US is a much more interesting playground.

You can't overlook the fact that US foreign policy has a significant impact on international affairs. This administration has managed to poisen the the international attitude towards the US almost beyond repair in just 3 years.

 

[Robert Jan]

It's sort of obvious. I don't feel insulted by it or anything. If Europe had an elected president that came with a whole administration and as much power etc it would be a headline story around the world too.

I guess this alone is an argument for a stronger EU and weaker member states.

 

[Testosterone boy]

I agree casualbb.......we do not acknowledge foreign affairs very much with our news programs.

More into scandals, gossip and salaries of the rich.

 

[GoldenDelicious]

Our people don't know crap and frankly it's embarrassing

everyone hit the man with k right now

 

[Allon]

America is the country that most influences other countries and therefore people around the world are aware of american news.
Also Tv in all countries has a majority of american programs and movies.
The two above points explain foreign awareness of the USA.
Now to explain why Americans don't know much in general about what is going on outside or even inside is another subject.
One thing I have been told is that Americans in general tend to watch the local news and not pay much attention to the national and world news... Most countries in the world don't have local news. they just have one news program that covers all topics.
There are many other reasons that are probably more relevant than the reason I just gave, probably the reason I just gave is not even so much the real reason, but I think an American would be able to explain better than I could why it is this way.

 

[Robert Jan]

We have local news, like this county sized, but it's very low budget and hardly watched

 

[casualbb]

One thing I have been told is that Americans in general tend to watch the local news and not pay much attention to the national and world news...

Hmm... let me tell you how it is here. There isn't one channel for local news and another for world news. There's just "news," and that generally means 45% local, 45% national, and 10% world news.

I shit you not, you'll be watching the news and see "Another terrorist attack occurred in kerplakistan, killing blah and wounding blah. UN officials say attacks will continue. And now, breaking news! There is a BEE infestation! Stay tuned for how to keep yourself and your family safe!"

 

[Robert Jan]

Hmm... let me tell you how it is here. There isn't one channel for local news and another for world news. There's just "news," and that generally means 45% local, 45% national, and 10% world news.

I shit you not, you'll be watching the news and see "Another terrorist attack occurred in kerplakistan, killing blah and wounding blah. UN officials say attacks will continue. And now, breaking news! There is a BEE infestation! Stay tuned for how to keep yourself and your family safe!"

uh. arent fox and cnn and nbc national channels?

 

[casualbb]

Yes they are. With the exception of CNN which is much more globally oriented, most TV news comes from such network stations that do a mix like I described.

 

[ChefWide]

Hmm... let me tell you how it is here. There isn't one channel for local news and another for world news. There's just "news," and that generally means 45% local, 45% national, and 10% world news.

I shit you not, you'll be watching the news and see "Another terrorist attack occurred in kerplakistan, killing blah and wounding blah. UN officials say attacks will continue. And now, breaking news! There is a BEE infestation! Stay tuned for how to keep yourself and your family safe!"

While on vacation last week I tuned into Albany News... talk about a shitcan small town masquerading as a city... sheesh.

20 seconds on the war and five minutes on the WATER FOUNTAIN that broke in the park. Literally. A fucking drinking fountain and the debate around the $2500 that was spent on it.