I think you guys are being unnecessarily hard on him.
I'm curious to see how his experience abroad molds his opinion of America.
I'm curious to see how his experience abroad molds his opinion of America.
Roosh
http://www.rooshv.com
On leaving America,,,
Freedom????
Locals who have little money would think they have less freedom on most countries. Expats tend tO be at the toP of the financial chain. I have paid enough bribes in EE countries to say I have first hand experience. The locals deal with this everyday. Some people take the lack of enforcement of laws to mean more freedom. But I am pretty sure the intimidation of free Press and other stuff is Against freedom.
That's not to say that there are not some /few places that have more freedom. But it's a trade off.
Locals who have little money would think they have less freedom on most countries. Expats tend tO be at the toP of the financial chain. I have paid enough bribes in EE countries to say I have first hand experience. The locals deal with this everyday. Some people take the lack of enforcement of laws to mean more freedom. But I am pretty sure the intimidation of free Press and other stuff is Against freedom.
That's not to say that there are not some /few places that have more freedom. But it's a trade off.
Update: Iceland looks like any un-forested part of Canada.
And England lives fully up up to it's reputation for having the ugliest white women in the world. I have seen two that were over 4 and only one looked like she was from here. That being said, picadilly circus is awesome. The city of London overall could easily grow on me, but I would rather not give it time to do so. As if I have to live with anymore weather like this as I have so much of my life, I will take a long walk into a small stand of trees.
Will do some more downtown exploring tomorrow. Need to run some errands and run amock.
And England lives fully up up to it's reputation for having the ugliest white women in the world. I have seen two that were over 4 and only one looked like she was from here. That being said, picadilly circus is awesome. The city of London overall could easily grow on me, but I would rather not give it time to do so. As if I have to live with anymore weather like this as I have so much of my life, I will take a long walk into a small stand of trees.
Will do some more downtown exploring tomorrow. Need to run some errands and run amock.
good luck with your mission, man. make sure to keep us all informed of your adventures.
on a side note, i know i don't know you OP or what happened to your family dynamics so I won't judge, but it always pains me to see people speak poorly of their close relatives, even on an anonymous internet forum. but maybe i just happened to have a unique set of circumstances growing up...
on a side note, i know i don't know you OP or what happened to your family dynamics so I won't judge, but it always pains me to see people speak poorly of their close relatives, even on an anonymous internet forum. but maybe i just happened to have a unique set of circumstances growing up...
First of all, welcome to the forum to the OP and best of luck in your quest to find your true place in the world, wherever it may be. I think you have the right idea, at least you have taken the steps to improve your lots opposed to millions of guys who are miserable and hate their shitty lives but only talk about it. Asia would be a great place to find the freedom that is unfortunately, increasingly reducing in the US and Canada by extension. Asia would be a great place to find that freedom. I'd suggest you get connected into the entrepreneurial scene in Asia and it's huge there. Start with the Tropical MBA crew. You'll meet great people, make killer connections, live it up and have an overall much better lifestyle that you could ever dream of in the US.
All the best man! And welcome to the REAL world!
All the best man! And welcome to the REAL world!
Quote: (06-09-2013 01:32 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:
ehhhhh...
What's with new dudes coming on the forum, giving us some sort of life story replete with phrases like,Quote:Quote:
"I know, you will all have questions or comments. Money? I have sold everything I own and have plenty. Work? I am a man of many talents, disciplines and degrees, and will never find myself in want of anything so long as I am motivated to have it.
You could have had a solid post there, but you lost my interest with your self-aggrandizing navel-gazing, and posting in that weird, self-important tone.
Regardless, best of luck out there. Europe is in fucking turmoil right now. Great to go and fuck girls, eat some good food, drink some good wine, but not much else.
I agree with you on that one. Though if you edit out the parts where OP's basically jerking it, the whole post gets a lot more readable.
The USA is one of the easiest places to make money, and then consumer goods are generally cheaper here. A shirt I would buy in Ukraine for $60 would be maybe $25 in Marshall's in the USA. There are many products you can't find anywhere else.
Women are sort of paranoid in the USA, they watch too much Crime Scene Investigators and have some bizarre ideas about the relative dangerousness of men.
The competition among men for attractive women is very harsh due to many men having enough money to provide a middle class lifestyle, combined with widespread obesity and an angry, perverted version of feminism reducing the number of attractive women; thus making even many of the physically attractive ones disagreeable to deal with in intimate relationships. The family court and child support systems are sometimes frighteningly harsh, always well organized, and essentially invincible if you have the type of profession where you work on the books. So any woman you have kids with has huge financial control over you.
However, people don't see the background that the USA is one of the most advanced civilizations that's ever existed. The virtual elimination of religious conflict, and widespread respect for science over superstition, and the generally effective rule of law (outside of our being swamped with firearms and religiously dedicated to using them on each other) are something people from other countries seem to like.
If you are involved in the fine arts, there is a huge community of highly intelligent and educated collaborators available. You can make some very obscure music or movies and there is someone that understands what you are trying to do and will work with you with an entrepeneurial spirit.
In poorer countries the women are more agreeable, but everyone is much more concentrated on survival and do not have time for pursuing the arts.
If you have some unusual talent in say, science or business, there are sometimes more opportunities here because there is simply more money present and a larger market as others have mentioned. Many, many geniuses and pre-eminent people from around the world come here and stay.
In my 10 trips to Eastern Europe and Russia, it seems they see us as naive and relatively honest, visitors don't see the huge undercurrents of corruption-- they aren't generally starting businesses and getting into life where there is significant conflict there. They also see us as sort of robotic and lifeless.
In other countries, there is a lot of ugly stuff going on that tourists don't usually see. I was assaulted by my landlord in Ukraine, the whole family came to beat me up so they could get me out and get more money from someone else. This kind of routine bullying, outside of ghetto areas, in the USA is pretty rare. The "police state" some complain of also results in people following the rules more. The pollution is relatively low-- because the state makes you smog your car. The drinking water is generally good--because the government enforces pollution laws. In Ukraine every time I want something to drink I have to pay 1-2$. Most of the law enforcement in the US is for the good in my opinion, but it is inconvenient, and many people on this forum here very rebellious and resent government interence. They want more of a Wild West atmosphere. Or they think they do until they get seriously ill, or victimized by criminals. In the US, most police at the state level and above are honest and professional. They make enough money so they are not as susceptible to corruption. In Ukraine they make only several hundred per month.
The vast physical beauty of the USA, with thousands of square miles of mountains, deserts, lakes, and seacoasts is probably as nice as anywhere else. There is no weather comparable to Norcal in EE where the hottest girls are. US Housing costs are relatively high due to the mortgage system which artificially increased prices as no one buys houses for cash except investors who are going to rent them, and guess what, they get as much as they can for them.
Women are sort of paranoid in the USA, they watch too much Crime Scene Investigators and have some bizarre ideas about the relative dangerousness of men.
The competition among men for attractive women is very harsh due to many men having enough money to provide a middle class lifestyle, combined with widespread obesity and an angry, perverted version of feminism reducing the number of attractive women; thus making even many of the physically attractive ones disagreeable to deal with in intimate relationships. The family court and child support systems are sometimes frighteningly harsh, always well organized, and essentially invincible if you have the type of profession where you work on the books. So any woman you have kids with has huge financial control over you.
However, people don't see the background that the USA is one of the most advanced civilizations that's ever existed. The virtual elimination of religious conflict, and widespread respect for science over superstition, and the generally effective rule of law (outside of our being swamped with firearms and religiously dedicated to using them on each other) are something people from other countries seem to like.
If you are involved in the fine arts, there is a huge community of highly intelligent and educated collaborators available. You can make some very obscure music or movies and there is someone that understands what you are trying to do and will work with you with an entrepeneurial spirit.
In poorer countries the women are more agreeable, but everyone is much more concentrated on survival and do not have time for pursuing the arts.
If you have some unusual talent in say, science or business, there are sometimes more opportunities here because there is simply more money present and a larger market as others have mentioned. Many, many geniuses and pre-eminent people from around the world come here and stay.
In my 10 trips to Eastern Europe and Russia, it seems they see us as naive and relatively honest, visitors don't see the huge undercurrents of corruption-- they aren't generally starting businesses and getting into life where there is significant conflict there. They also see us as sort of robotic and lifeless.
In other countries, there is a lot of ugly stuff going on that tourists don't usually see. I was assaulted by my landlord in Ukraine, the whole family came to beat me up so they could get me out and get more money from someone else. This kind of routine bullying, outside of ghetto areas, in the USA is pretty rare. The "police state" some complain of also results in people following the rules more. The pollution is relatively low-- because the state makes you smog your car. The drinking water is generally good--because the government enforces pollution laws. In Ukraine every time I want something to drink I have to pay 1-2$. Most of the law enforcement in the US is for the good in my opinion, but it is inconvenient, and many people on this forum here very rebellious and resent government interence. They want more of a Wild West atmosphere. Or they think they do until they get seriously ill, or victimized by criminals. In the US, most police at the state level and above are honest and professional. They make enough money so they are not as susceptible to corruption. In Ukraine they make only several hundred per month.
The vast physical beauty of the USA, with thousands of square miles of mountains, deserts, lakes, and seacoasts is probably as nice as anywhere else. There is no weather comparable to Norcal in EE where the hottest girls are. US Housing costs are relatively high due to the mortgage system which artificially increased prices as no one buys houses for cash except investors who are going to rent them, and guess what, they get as much as they can for them.
Quote: (06-12-2013 08:58 AM)iknowexactly Wrote:
The USA is one of the easiest places to make money, and then consumer goods are generally cheaper here. A shirt I would buy in Ukraine for $60 would be maybe $25 in Marshall's in the USA. There are many products you can't find anywhere else.
Women are sort of paranoid in the USA, they watch too much Crime Scene Investigators and have some bizarre ideas about the relative dangerousness of men.
The competition among men for attractive women is very harsh due to many men having enough money to provide a middle class lifestyle, combined with widespread obesity and an angry, perverted version of feminism reducing the number of attractive women; thus making even many of the physically attractive ones disagreeable to deal with in intimate relationships. The family court and child support systems are sometimes frighteningly harsh, always well organized, and essentially invincible if you have the type of profession where you work on the books. So any woman you have kids with has huge financial control over you.
However, people don't see the background that the USA is one of the most advanced civilizations that's ever existed. The virtual elimination of religious conflict, and widespread respect for science over superstition, and the generally effective rule of law (outside of our being swamped with firearms and religiously dedicated to using them on each other) are something people from other countries seem to like.
If you are involved in the fine arts, there is a huge community of highly intelligent and educated collaborators available. You can make some very obscure music or movies and there is someone that understands what you are trying to do and will work with you with an entrepeneurial spirit.
In poorer countries the women are more agreeable, but everyone is much more concentrated on survival and do not have time for pursuing the arts.
If you have some unusual talent in say, science or business, there are sometimes more opportunities here because there is simply more money present and a larger market as others have mentioned. Many, many geniuses and pre-eminent people from around the world come here and stay.
In my 10 trips to Eastern Europe and Russia, it seems they see us as naive and relatively honest, visitors don't see the huge undercurrents of corruption-- they aren't generally starting businesses and getting into life where there is significant conflict there. They also see us as sort of robotic and lifeless.
In other countries, there is a lot of ugly stuff going on that tourists don't usually see. I was assaulted by my landlord in Ukraine, the whole family came to beat me up so they could get me out and get more money from someone else. This kind of routine bullying, outside of ghetto areas, in the USA is pretty rare. The "police state" some complain of also results in people following the rules more. The pollution is relatively low-- because the state makes you smog your car. The drinking water is generally good--because the government enforces pollution laws. In Ukraine every time I want something to drink I have to pay 1-2$. Most of the law enforcement in the US is for the good in my opinion, but it is inconvenient, and many people on this forum here very rebellious and resent government interence. They want more of a Wild West atmosphere. Or they think they do until they get seriously ill, or victimized by criminals. In the US, most police at the state level and above are honest and professional. They make enough money so they are not as susceptible to corruption. In Ukraine they make only several hundred per month.
The vast physical beauty of the USA, with thousands of square miles of mountains, deserts, lakes, and seacoasts is probably as nice as anywhere else. There is no weather comparable to Norcal in EE where the hottest girls are. US Housing costs are relatively high due to the mortgage system which artificially increased prices as no one buys houses for cash except investors who are going to rent them, and guess what, they get as much as they can for them.
Which is better, to be poor in a first world country or to be rich in a third world country?
This debate is fascinating and I never get tired of hearing the myriad opinions that exist out there on the subject of expating and pros/cons of the USA vs elsewhere.
I think it all boils down to personal preferences. By having an understanding of the type of people on this forum, I imagine that in general we would skew towards an expat/greater freedom lifestyle and away from the conformity and security offered by the USA.
Personally, I'm ready to expat, and when I do, it will be to Cali, Colombia, which is vastly more dangerous and poorer than where I live now. Personally, I have a very high tolerance for danger having grown up in the projects during a crack epidemic in NYC. Someone who grew up under similar circumstances may have been traumatized and thus cling desperately to a safe neighborhood (understandably). Again, it boils down to personal preference. However, just because I will leave eventually doesn't mean I'm not having an awesome time now.
On a final note, I still believe that people underestimate how much their own mind plays into how they feel in general, and fail to realize how a change in mental focus can make things better. This is especially important if you are unable to change your external conditions (such as being unable to expat). I wrote about it here: http://www.rooshvforum.network/thread-24265.html
You can be angry at your conditions until the day you are able to expat, or change your focus to be happier.. otherwise you burn away your limited time on this earth and waste it being miserable despite having wonderfully beneficial living conditions.
"If you do not obtain the light of Inner Peace,
Mere external ease and pleasure will become a source of pain."
~Milarepa
I think it all boils down to personal preferences. By having an understanding of the type of people on this forum, I imagine that in general we would skew towards an expat/greater freedom lifestyle and away from the conformity and security offered by the USA.
Personally, I'm ready to expat, and when I do, it will be to Cali, Colombia, which is vastly more dangerous and poorer than where I live now. Personally, I have a very high tolerance for danger having grown up in the projects during a crack epidemic in NYC. Someone who grew up under similar circumstances may have been traumatized and thus cling desperately to a safe neighborhood (understandably). Again, it boils down to personal preference. However, just because I will leave eventually doesn't mean I'm not having an awesome time now.
On a final note, I still believe that people underestimate how much their own mind plays into how they feel in general, and fail to realize how a change in mental focus can make things better. This is especially important if you are unable to change your external conditions (such as being unable to expat). I wrote about it here: http://www.rooshvforum.network/thread-24265.html
You can be angry at your conditions until the day you are able to expat, or change your focus to be happier.. otherwise you burn away your limited time on this earth and waste it being miserable despite having wonderfully beneficial living conditions.
"If you do not obtain the light of Inner Peace,
Mere external ease and pleasure will become a source of pain."
~Milarepa
Quote: (06-12-2013 09:55 AM)Scarecr0w Wrote:
Quote: (06-12-2013 08:58 AM)iknowexactly Wrote:
The USA is one of the easiest places to make money, and then consumer goods are generally cheaper here. ......... US Housing costs are relatively high due to the mortgage system which artificially increased prices as no one buys houses for cash except investors who are going to rent them, and guess what, they get as much as they can for them.
Which is better, to be poor in a first world country or to be rich in a third world country?
Much as I love the sound of my own pen, you don't have to quote a whole rant of mine to comment, you can edit between the "quote" delimiters.
Like with most situations, it depends what the individual's goals, age, abilities, health, and preferences are. With me it has definitely changed over time and situation and will continue to change.
If you current concern is banging chicks, and you're not YoungTallCool poor (popular hipster in America) , -far better to be rich in a poor country. Unless you are REALLY rich and famous, in which case 1st world infrastructure will work in your favor security and health-wise.
If your current concern is making more money, engaging in creative stuff that depends on an organized, functioning economy- better to be poor in the rich country as you can change your economic situation. For me, I can save at least 10x as much per month living in and working in USA as I could in another country. That's why I'm here right now.
Having kids is another thing that paradoxically may be better done in a poor country, as they do not have the same confiscatory child support mechanisms in place which encourages 1st world bitches to take over your home through intimidation.
Thanks for all of the support and comments guys. To the fellow who commented about the oddity of talking about one's mother like that you are right. It is very messed up to be in a position to be able to and have to do that. But my so called mother deserves nothing less in terms of negative speech, and just be thankful that you have or had a normal one. The only people who truly understand are those rare few others who shared the same pain in their lives.
So, it was a long day in London town here. Finally saw more good looking women. Victoria station and the surrounding tourist areas would be great for day game. Bus and walking tours about there. People coming in fresh off the train, etc.
Wandered around picadilly and soho a lot more, and the place is PACKED with toursits right now, and come classy rich bitches in the shopping strip.
On the advice of my French buddy here, I tubed my way up to camden town after that. What an awesome place. Very "alive" part of the city. Pubs everywhere, two huge semi0open air markets, tattoo parlors, etc. Place was crawling with 7-9 Russian and Polish immigrant girls, so I assume they live there. Saw some lovely things. Including Mila JOvovich's Pink-haired twin wearing spandex and eating a whopper by the tube station....gave me a mysterious, yet justified boner. Chatted up an australian bartender in the "blues club" pub up there. They have live rock shows up there every weekend night, and he said the whole street and its surrounding offshoots are hopping at those times with plenty of great talent. I will go up there friday night and get wasted with the locals.
Also got some unprovoked serious interested checking outs from highschool aged girls in the tube stations here and there. It is a bit suprising having come form a place where the age of consent is 18 versus the 16 it is here, and that is normal. Good looking foreign women on the central and northern lines of the tube as well. Good place to chat up. Talked to some austrailian girls down by buckingham earlier and walked to westminster with them. Nothing fancy other than that. Was just doing hardcore exploring mostly.
Went to the "carphones" store and gt an unlocked windows phone with a UK sim card and the new "toggle" sim card that works in 20 european countries all for 100 quid. I better get out of this city while I can though. I am way way too at home here (despite the local clubbed looking slags) and it would and will easily grow on me. Heaven forbid I stay forever.
Oh, Hyde park had many higher end on the looks English girls (all blondes) running in it this morning too. Good place to tube down to for a jog if you know what I mean.
Rain came just as I got back to the hostel and I had a pint of Bulmers in the shower. Cranking back another right now, and eating for the first real time all day.
Tomorrow I am going to head back down to zone 1 and hit the British museum, and then pop back down the other end of oxford to cruise for German chicks. (I do love my countrywomen after all)
So, it was a long day in London town here. Finally saw more good looking women. Victoria station and the surrounding tourist areas would be great for day game. Bus and walking tours about there. People coming in fresh off the train, etc.
Wandered around picadilly and soho a lot more, and the place is PACKED with toursits right now, and come classy rich bitches in the shopping strip.
On the advice of my French buddy here, I tubed my way up to camden town after that. What an awesome place. Very "alive" part of the city. Pubs everywhere, two huge semi0open air markets, tattoo parlors, etc. Place was crawling with 7-9 Russian and Polish immigrant girls, so I assume they live there. Saw some lovely things. Including Mila JOvovich's Pink-haired twin wearing spandex and eating a whopper by the tube station....gave me a mysterious, yet justified boner. Chatted up an australian bartender in the "blues club" pub up there. They have live rock shows up there every weekend night, and he said the whole street and its surrounding offshoots are hopping at those times with plenty of great talent. I will go up there friday night and get wasted with the locals.
Also got some unprovoked serious interested checking outs from highschool aged girls in the tube stations here and there. It is a bit suprising having come form a place where the age of consent is 18 versus the 16 it is here, and that is normal. Good looking foreign women on the central and northern lines of the tube as well. Good place to chat up. Talked to some austrailian girls down by buckingham earlier and walked to westminster with them. Nothing fancy other than that. Was just doing hardcore exploring mostly.
Went to the "carphones" store and gt an unlocked windows phone with a UK sim card and the new "toggle" sim card that works in 20 european countries all for 100 quid. I better get out of this city while I can though. I am way way too at home here (despite the local clubbed looking slags) and it would and will easily grow on me. Heaven forbid I stay forever.
Oh, Hyde park had many higher end on the looks English girls (all blondes) running in it this morning too. Good place to tube down to for a jog if you know what I mean.
Rain came just as I got back to the hostel and I had a pint of Bulmers in the shower. Cranking back another right now, and eating for the first real time all day.
Tomorrow I am going to head back down to zone 1 and hit the British museum, and then pop back down the other end of oxford to cruise for German chicks. (I do love my countrywomen after all)
All else being equal, I would rather be in a first world country than a third world country. But all else isn't equal. I think the disparity comes from the fact, that by going to a third world country, you experience a huge upshift in social and financial status, so that the problems of the society for the typical commoner aren't evident. Yah I can get a maid for a hundred bux a month. How long before she get's her lick at the brass ring? Professionals I work with, same qualifications as me, make $25k/yr, and that's considered a great salary here. They wanna put in 4-5 years, hopefully save enough money, get a masters in a first world country and get out. And they were lucky that they were born in a situation where their parents even had the means to pay for high school and university. In Indonesia you can only go to like a dozen countries visa free. And some of these are literally fly to the capital in a suit, pay $120, then interview just for the chance at a visa. I think people are clouding the questions "Is the US a good country vs the third world" with "Is it good to be a 1 percenter". It's far, far better to be average anywhere in the first world, than anywhere in the third.
That said, I do hate how in the US it seems like your freedoms to do the most basic things are hugely impeded on. And it seems like a lot of the first world is going the same way. You're treated like cattle, too stupid to do a lot of things on your own. I went to Disney land, and they had a guy hired to make sure ppl didn't get too near to certain doors. The US has become a place where people are not trusted to handle automated doors on their own. I think it's just human nature. The entire first world, for the most part, is free of any real problems. So people get bored, since they don't need to worry about food, disease, clean water, land mines, shit that people actually should worry about, they try and solve problems that aren't there. The crime rate is amongst the lowest historically ever, and the fewest people ever in the history of the world are engaged in armed conflict. But what do you see? Paranoid scared people. Something happens, for maybe no reason at all, and human nature being what it is, tries to find a reason, tries to blame someone, invariable tries to trample someone else's freedom in the name fixing what isn't a problem. Terrorism is a perfect example. 9/11 happens and people say you can trample all our freedoms. But people ignore that terrorism on the threatometer is up there with lightning strikes. It's not a problem. As Boston, and failure after failure at airports(despite increasing spending many times) demonstrate, no matter how much money you spend, there really isn't a whole lot you can do about it. Are people worried about germs and seatbelts in Asia? No. They have bigger problems like actually worrying about how they can even afford to buy food. That's why I like the third world, it cuts out a lot of the pedantic whining and bullshit, yet at the same time I'm immune to the real problems because I have western money.
That said, I do hate how in the US it seems like your freedoms to do the most basic things are hugely impeded on. And it seems like a lot of the first world is going the same way. You're treated like cattle, too stupid to do a lot of things on your own. I went to Disney land, and they had a guy hired to make sure ppl didn't get too near to certain doors. The US has become a place where people are not trusted to handle automated doors on their own. I think it's just human nature. The entire first world, for the most part, is free of any real problems. So people get bored, since they don't need to worry about food, disease, clean water, land mines, shit that people actually should worry about, they try and solve problems that aren't there. The crime rate is amongst the lowest historically ever, and the fewest people ever in the history of the world are engaged in armed conflict. But what do you see? Paranoid scared people. Something happens, for maybe no reason at all, and human nature being what it is, tries to find a reason, tries to blame someone, invariable tries to trample someone else's freedom in the name fixing what isn't a problem. Terrorism is a perfect example. 9/11 happens and people say you can trample all our freedoms. But people ignore that terrorism on the threatometer is up there with lightning strikes. It's not a problem. As Boston, and failure after failure at airports(despite increasing spending many times) demonstrate, no matter how much money you spend, there really isn't a whole lot you can do about it. Are people worried about germs and seatbelts in Asia? No. They have bigger problems like actually worrying about how they can even afford to buy food. That's why I like the third world, it cuts out a lot of the pedantic whining and bullshit, yet at the same time I'm immune to the real problems because I have western money.
Quote: (06-12-2013 08:58 AM)iknowexactly Wrote:
They want more of a Wild West atmosphere. Or they think they do until they get seriously ill, or victimized by criminals.
+1 on that. It doesn't even have to be a serious illness. I had a mosquito bite on my leg that I picked up on my last day in Cambodia, was infected when I got back to China and got worse despite using antibacterial cream. It took me three times going to "the best hospital in the city" before I could see a doctor who actually prescribed me the correct antibiotic in the correct dose. The second time the doctor poked the open sore on my leg with dirty hands and said, "that looks ok." I was like, "no mate, it looks fucked. Is there a doctor who is actually qualified here?"
Really scared me (I had recently had a friend die here from complications arising from an infection). Had the third time not worked I would have to had book a three hour flight to Bangkok as its the nearest place with good hospitals (at least that are affordable).
Still, I do love the general lack of rules regarding personal behavior here. (except the restrictions on motorbikes, that really pisses me off).
Great points guys about the pros and cons of living in the first world versus the 3rd world. A Brazilian friend of mine perfectly summarized this by saying "I'd rather be rich in the 3rd world and poor in the 1st world". Wiser words were rarely spoken.
I've got a lot to say on this subject, happy for the op. even in spite of his weird tone that thedude mentioned I'm pulling for him.
Quote: (06-12-2013 08:58 AM)iknowexactly Wrote:
The USA is one of the easiest places to make money, and then consumer goods are generally cheaper here. A shirt I would buy in Ukraine for $60 would be maybe $25 in Marshall's in the USA. There are many products you can't find anywhere else.
Women are sort of paranoid in the USA, they watch too much Crime Scene Investigators and have some bizarre ideas about the relative dangerousness of men.
The competition among men for attractive women is very harsh due to many men having enough money to provide a middle class lifestyle, combined with widespread obesity and an angry, perverted version of feminism reducing the number of attractive women; thus making even many of the physically attractive ones disagreeable to deal with in intimate relationships. The family court and child support systems are sometimes frighteningly harsh, always well organized, and essentially invincible if you have the type of profession where you work on the books. So any woman you have kids with has huge financial control over you.
However, people don't see the background that the USA is one of the most advanced civilizations that's ever existed. The virtual elimination of religious conflict, and widespread respect for science over superstition, and the generally effective rule of law (outside of our being swamped with firearms and religiously dedicated to using them on each other) are something people from other countries seem to like.
If you are involved in the fine arts, there is a huge community of highly intelligent and educated collaborators available. You can make some very obscure music or movies and there is someone that understands what you are trying to do and will work with you with an entrepeneurial spirit.
In poorer countries the women are more agreeable, but everyone is much more concentrated on survival and do not have time for pursuing the arts.
If you have some unusual talent in say, science or business, there are sometimes more opportunities here because there is simply more money present and a larger market as others have mentioned. Many, many geniuses and pre-eminent people from around the world come here and stay.
In my 10 trips to Eastern Europe and Russia, it seems they see us as naive and relatively honest, visitors don't see the huge undercurrents of corruption-- they aren't generally starting businesses and getting into life where there is significant conflict there. They also see us as sort of robotic and lifeless.
In other countries, there is a lot of ugly stuff going on that tourists don't usually see. I was assaulted by my landlord in Ukraine, the whole family came to beat me up so they could get me out and get more money from someone else. This kind of routine bullying, outside of ghetto areas, in the USA is pretty rare. The "police state" some complain of also results in people following the rules more. The pollution is relatively low-- because the state makes you smog your car. The drinking water is generally good--because the government enforces pollution laws. In Ukraine every time I want something to drink I have to pay 1-2$. Most of the law enforcement in the US is for the good in my opinion, but it is inconvenient, and many people on this forum here very rebellious and resent government interence. They want more of a Wild West atmosphere. Or they think they do until they get seriously ill, or victimized by criminals. In the US, most police at the state level and above are honest and professional. They make enough money so they are not as susceptible to corruption. In Ukraine they make only several hundred per month.
The vast physical beauty of the USA, with thousands of square miles of mountains, deserts, lakes, and seacoasts is probably as nice as anywhere else. There is no weather comparable to Norcal in EE where the hottest girls are. US Housing costs are relatively high due to the mortgage system which artificially increased prices as no one buys houses for cash except investors who are going to rent them, and guess what, they get as much as they can for them.
The praise of the US from iknowexactly is soundly based. When I was 20, living with my older (29yo) GF in Amsterdam, I didn't recognize the clan and class-based mentality of the Dutch. It was there, but she was raised by her grandmother in her teens, after her banker-globetrotting parents tired of the task, living in Saudi, Calcutta, Jakarta, etc. She seemed to not recognize how verzeiling, or the vertical social order constrained people socially and emotionally. And as a grad student of British lit and linguistics, she had no clue about how much freere Americans were than they and she. Merely visiting NYC or even the heartland could not open her eyes to this fact. They were prisoners of their culture in a way few - mostly immigrants like the Mexicans or those from East or South Asia - are, here.
But then take a 26yo Pole from Marie Curie University at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln (think of a grad educated 'Penny' from "Big Bang Theory") whom I got to know one summer there some eight years ago. She simply loved American freedom of opportunity! She breathed it in, and spoke of the shame of buying trinkets from a fellow Pole at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, simply out of solidarity to her fellow countryman.
the boundlessness of the American Dream! The freedom to choose your destiny and reap the rewards....
That's the America that's expiring today. Polls show that even the understanding of the American Dream is fast dying among the young.
Unionized schooling and the PC-university are killing it off. (It's only 49% of those under 30 who embrace American Exceptionalism; Obama sure doesn't - he says so.) Fast.
Quote:Quote:
jimukr104 Wrote:
_ _ _
There is only 2 reasons i know people leave:
1. Avoid oppressive taxes. And the welfare state that Obama is bringing.I have considered this reason.
2. They have a shitty job because they thought going into 100k debt for a degree in basket weaving would be a profitable endeavor.
Let me add to jim's short list:
3. the need for adventure! Adventure, like new pussy, is especially a young mans game. It didn't start or end with Hemingway. But in America, you can remake yourself.
We bring this attitude to the world wherever we go.
I think it was the 1990s, and this Colorado couple who wound back in
Colorado, in publishing after meeting up in Aspen, working in Mass. for Harvard University Press, and in Berkeley for the University of California Press - and finally back in Colorado for its uni press.
What made them leave California? The sense that too many had gone there to remake themseves from the tragic ends of their own rope - risking it all and failing! - and too many being too willing to drag others down along with them! Chalk this smart observation up to the Dark-side of the very American urge to 're-make' oneself.
Who else but immigrants and sons and daughters of immigrants can do this? Again and again? Only Americans, I think. And we bring this dreamy vitality to others when we leave the US.
4. New foreign languages and cultures. I remember dating this young female doctor from Lincoln who graduated in Russian from the University of Kansas. In the '90s she joined an American export/import firm in Moscow.
But the violence of the Yeltsin years meant the firm ultimately pulled out of Moscow - too much violence on the streets spawned by corruption. The logic of that nation embracing the stark raving Authoritarian like a Putin therefore become obvious in its appeal and necessity.
5. Experience new peoples, search out new homes for vacationing, maybe retiring? With America in Alexandrian decline, it only makes sense to do so.
What is our Alexandrian Age? The late historian Jacques Barzun, himself an immigrant to the US from France, wrote:
Quote:Quote:
In advanced civilizations the period loosely called Alexandrian is usually associated with flexible morals, perfunctory religion, populist standards and cosmopolitan tastes, feminism, exotic cults, and the rapid turnover of high and low fads—in short, a falling away (which is all that decadence means) from the strictness of traditional rules, embodied in character and inforced from within.
And today, as in culture, philosophy and morals (above), so in economic standards. Instead of currency ways - as was seen between the world wars - we are seeing interest rates wars, today. The hope is that countries can export their way out of economic miasma by competitive economic depreciation. If the Japanese can make their currency cheap, then they can sell-sell-sell abroad!
Thus, the US has done this Keynesian-style thru "stimulus" and Quantitative Easing - and Europe less decisively through bailouts - and now Japan through the most radical exercise of "QE" excess ever seen, resulting in the emerging market bubble (much of is US monies) bursting as we speak. This last, the latest chapter.
And it is making the greenback worthless. Raising the cost-of-living for anyone paid in US dollars.
6. For those looking at retirement options, the decline of dollar becomes yet another reason to travel and move away. For instance, I spent my last Christmas day with a sixty year old semi-retired petroleum engineer, after a day of skiing at Vail. I took him to dinner.
He explained how when he was fifty and happily retired and living to good life on the beach in Indonesia. A servant and a cook. He would have been happy to stay there forever.
But an opportunity he couldn't miss led him to leave and go to Colorado and new frontiers in oil and gas in nearby states. (Another friend has become fabulously rich, with his recently minted Ivy League EE background - same for his Cali state school educated Dad - in the fracking bonanza. Private jet rich - with much more to come.) Now he's doing a hike through Northern Spain before hitting the Middle East - after doing Micha Picu in South America.
He has the option of working, or enjoying his (single) retirement, since he divorced after his kids grew up.
Where else in the world can you go anywhere and find their bliss doing one of several or many things? Only Americans.
More so than the Brits and Dutch before us could. At least, today, more people than those smaller, much smaller nations ever dreamed of doing, even when they were the world-leading "rich."
These are my additions to the reasons jim offered for Americans to indulge their wanderlust.
ENJOY THE DECLINE! Now, back to you, Mr. Anderson.
“There is no global anthem, no global currency, no certificate of global citizenship. We pledge allegiance to one flag, and that flag is the American flag!” -DJT
Oh. I forgot to add that the hegemonic role of the US dollar as the dominant currency is also ending in this, our Alexandrian Age.
This will raise US borrowing costs (for government and private business) and make the US economy more vulnerable to events elsewhere in the world. You can see this happen as the Chinese have cozied up to the Eurozone, and strikes up direct trade in Yuan with Australia and elsewhere; they aim to supplant the leading US role in the world.
To Obama and the Tranzis (Transnational Progressives), the US lead is shameful and exploitative, a legacy of Imperialism; to others, this was either earned by winning the two World Wars or else an accident of history by remaining last to enter the wars and being furthest away from the most destructive battlefields.
In any case, more US decline is already here to stay and already accelerating. This provides fresh reasons for anyone in finance or manufacturing to leave the US for distant lands.
This will raise US borrowing costs (for government and private business) and make the US economy more vulnerable to events elsewhere in the world. You can see this happen as the Chinese have cozied up to the Eurozone, and strikes up direct trade in Yuan with Australia and elsewhere; they aim to supplant the leading US role in the world.
To Obama and the Tranzis (Transnational Progressives), the US lead is shameful and exploitative, a legacy of Imperialism; to others, this was either earned by winning the two World Wars or else an accident of history by remaining last to enter the wars and being furthest away from the most destructive battlefields.
In any case, more US decline is already here to stay and already accelerating. This provides fresh reasons for anyone in finance or manufacturing to leave the US for distant lands.
“There is no global anthem, no global currency, no certificate of global citizenship. We pledge allegiance to one flag, and that flag is the American flag!” -DJT
I gotta disagree with the less freedom part inthe US. I live near a military base in China and somebody accused me of spying (I took a picture of the city skyline which apparently was suspicious). The cops and military came to my apartment one morning, searched my apartment, looked through my camera and ipad, deleted pictures and questioned me for an hour on every topic under the sun. Luckily for me they called my employer and the Vice President, his driver, and the head of hr came and settled everything with a decent bribe. No warrant, no judge, no freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, just a terrifying q&a session and my pictures getting deleted.
I mean, jokes on them because I had already put the picture that got me in trouble on Facebook, but still, I can't imagine that type of thing happening in the US. I mean, maybe LAPD...
I mean, jokes on them because I had already put the picture that got me in trouble on Facebook, but still, I can't imagine that type of thing happening in the US. I mean, maybe LAPD...
If you are going to impose your will on the world, you must have control over what you believe.
Data Sheet Minneapolis / Data Sheet St. Paul / Data Sheet Northern MN/BWCA / Data Sheet Duluth
Question how is a declining dollar make it cheaper to live elsewhere???
Actually the effects of a declining dollar are more minor when you are living in the states,where the dollar is the currency. Declining dollar makes it more expensive living overseas,not in USA.
We will not be losing reserve status in our lifetime. Our future as one of the largest gas and oil producers in the world has seen to that. Also we have one of the only stable backed currencies. That's why people worldwide hold dollars.
Actually the effects of a declining dollar are more minor when you are living in the states,where the dollar is the currency. Declining dollar makes it more expensive living overseas,not in USA.
We will not be losing reserve status in our lifetime. Our future as one of the largest gas and oil producers in the world has seen to that. Also we have one of the only stable backed currencies. That's why people worldwide hold dollars.
Quote: (06-13-2013 05:36 AM)Orson Wrote:
Oh. I forgot to add that the hegemonic role of the US dollar as the dominant currency is also ending in this, our Alexandrian Age.........
more US decline is already here to stay and already accelerating. This provides fresh reasons for anyone in finance or manufacturing to leave the US for distant lands.
So are you here mostly to make money at this point?
Quote: (06-13-2013 11:22 AM)iknowexactly Wrote:
Quote: (06-13-2013 05:36 AM)Orson Wrote:
Oh. I forgot to add that the hegemonic role of the US dollar as the dominant currency is also ending in this, our Alexandrian Age.........
more US decline is already here to stay and already accelerating. This provides fresh reasons for anyone in finance or manufacturing to leave the US for distant lands.
So are you here mostly to make money at this point?
No. (Been there, done that.)
But when a man who ought to know says it's easier to start a business in the UK now than the US, maybe one ought to reconsider one's options.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424...36118.html
“There is no global anthem, no global currency, no certificate of global citizenship. We pledge allegiance to one flag, and that flag is the American flag!” -DJT
Quote: (06-13-2013 10:32 AM)jimukr104 Wrote:
Question how is a declining dollar make it cheaper to live elsewhere???
Actually the effects of a declining dollar are more minor when you are living in the states,where the dollar is the currency. Declining dollar makes it more expensive living overseas,not in USA.
We will not be losing reserve status in our lifetime. Our future as one of the largest gas and oil producers in the world has seen to that. Also we have one of the only stable backed currencies. That's why people worldwide hold dollars.
Yeah. Confusing isn't it? When a variety of nations and currency realm's are competing with each other to "bottom out," depreciating their currencies to gain an export trading advantage.
As for "We (the US) will not be losing reserve status in our lifetime," that's debatable. It depends upon many things like long-term growth rates, structural disincentives, debt load, as well as inflation.
China certainly aims to compete with the US dominance in currency. India believes they can compete with China, but there is no resolve or political will yet to do more than merely check China's military might - nothing on the currency horizon yet.
As for the Euro-sphere? They've managed to muck up what looked to be a serious currency (and market) rival only five years ago - and again, they display no real resolve or political will to seriously out-compete the US, yet.
For this century, them's the only real competitors. Some argue that there will be region-wide zones of currency dominance in only decades.
We'll wait and see about that.
“There is no global anthem, no global currency, no certificate of global citizenship. We pledge allegiance to one flag, and that flag is the American flag!” -DJT
Quote: (06-09-2013 11:17 AM)Scarecr0w Wrote:
Just wondering, could anyone explain to me WTF is the problem with america?
As someone from latin america, it intrigues me why so many americans are tired of living there... its a frightening thought to know that soooo many people from latin america would kill for an opportunity to live and work in the US....
America is a great place to make money. However, if you can find a way to be location independent or you've got your financial portfolio already in order, your purchasing power can go a lot further in many places outside of the USA. Also, opening up your choices in life on a world-wide level versus just in the USA, might afford you more opportunities.
Three main gripes about America: Political correctness, the attitudes of many women, and Big Brother dictating more and more.
Quote: (06-15-2013 09:39 PM)anamericaninbangkok Wrote:
Three main gripes about America: Political correctness, the attitudes of many women, and Big Brother dictating more and more.
Pretty much. Everything else rocks over here.
For everyone who says they want to travel, how many people ever said just fuck it and drove around the country? There is a lot out there once you leave DC or New Yawk.
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