[Hotwheels]

(03-05-2014 05:46 PM)kosko Wrote:  

(03-05-2014 05:36 PM)Hotwheels Wrote:  

Your country isn't holding you down. Your mentality is.

Your not Canadian. It's hard for you to comment on this. I've lived in both countries, and both my sisters went to school down there.

The vibe is different in the States. There isn't a mentality and culture of aiming up that does not exist here in Canada; we have one of the lowest productivity rates in the OECD, the stats back it up. Canada does not like to take risks and try hard, we are notorious underachivers. This ain't me blaming Canada for where am at, because where I am at is still far ahead of many (two tries at starting a business, and I'm just in school in a good program... I haven't done shit) but even now, I am not happy where am at and I want more.

I can see the ceiling already... In Canada you've made it as a adviser/consultant or manager in Government or Crown... That's 1% here in Canada. It's hard to explain unless you have lived here and been indoctrinated in our culture.

@Moma would likely echo what I'm saying since he is State-side right now. The rush to compete down there is real, it isn't some make believe shit.

My comment was directed at the OP who seems to be American from all the US references.

I haven't bothered to read all his whining however so maybe I missed his being a Canuck.

[speakeasy]

(03-05-2014 02:10 PM)KorbenDallas Wrote:  

Having said that, there is a lot of money flying around in America and a lot of opportunity for a smart, determined, guy.

Not everyone is smart. Some are determined and hard-working people, but it's mainly smart and well-connected people that make it to the top 10%. Sure most people are smart enough to get by and do their meager jobs, but everyone isn't smart enough to build a large profitable corporation. Plus everyone can't be rich, you need workers. That's like having an army with all generals and no grunts. Nor do we all have those social connections to wealthy and powerful people that will give us access to capital and business opportunity.

It's necessary for a stable economy to have enough middle-class jobs for average and not-so average people. If normal income people keep seeing that all the gains of GDP are going to rich as they've done over the past 30 years, that's going to breed resentment eventually. That resentment may lead to peaceful social change, or it may lead to violent revolution.

[rudebwoy]

This is laughable, I feel the same about America as most Canadians.

Like Kosko stated, Americans have a thing about business. It amazes me that the people I know that have good jobs would rather talk about their "business" that they are trying to start. No other country has that mindset, certainly not Canada.

I know people that smuggled there way into America in a back of a car with empty pockets. A few years later after working two jobs and hustling, they are living in the suburbs in a four bedroom house with a two car garage. Sorry that ain't happening in Europe, most people I know live in the same house in Europe for most of there lives.

[jimukr104]

(03-05-2014 03:51 PM)runninutebball Wrote:  

I really wonder sometimes how much these America whiners have traveled. CardGuy's analysis is simplistic but it's also powerful. Do you know what the dowry price of a Yemeni - American girl is? $50-75k easy. This is dramatically higher than her peers for only one reason, she can petition her husband for an immigrant visa! Why do Cubans set sail on makeshift rafts that the crew from Gilligan's Island wouldn't touch risking death? Why was I offered $10k by a Russian girl in Baltimore to marry her?

Did you read that there was a 500% increase in Americans who renounced their citizenship? Do you know the actual yearly figure that increase represents? Less than ONE THOUSAND. That's out of a nation of more than THREE HUNDRED MILLION.

The demise of America is greatly exaggerated on this board. America spends more on its military than the next 10 combined. It is the only country with the ability to sustainably project power anywhere in the world. It is still the number one economy. American culture has been so absorbed by the rest of the world they don't even consider it American anymore. It is fucking irritating to listen to people in Egypt bad mouth America while wearing blue jeans and superman t-shirt, smoking a Marlboro cigarette, while posting to Twitter or Facebook from their iPhone using the WiFi at the neighborhood McDonald's. Oh and the Facebook post was about how excited they are too go see Capt. America: The Winter Soldier when it is released worldwide by Hollywood.

The day America is truly in trouble is the day it enacts exit visa requirements on its citizens (Russia anyone? ). Until then, maybe dial down the America hysteria. If you want to leave forever, explore the world, sow some wild oats in foreign pussy, then go right ahead. Just do me one favor and don't go running to the US government for protection if things don't work out for you in your new poosey paradise.

Rant over

"Why was I offered $10k by a Russian girl in Baltimore to marry her?"
Because she can divorce you and get a lot more..lol

[Nolecbo]

(03-05-2014 06:19 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  

Sorry that ain't happening in Europe, most people I know live in the same house in Europe for most of there lives.

I heard an economist once phrase it as "the problems of Europe are not readily apparent to the the average American tourist".

My friends in Paris have LONG commutes far from city center and still live in places about the size of my apartment in Manhattan.

[KorbenDallas]

Speakeasy, I completely agree. I work in a solitary, unorthodox field where my income is derived solely from my intelligence and work ethic, so, I have very little connection to what its like for the average joe so to speak. I do have some personal connections with blue collar guys and can say this for sure-the middle/lower middle class in America is getting squeezed.

My dad works in a small, boutique type small business which caters to the 1%, so, his business hasn't been hurt too bad by the economy, however, for most businesses its extremely rough out there.

All that being said, I was just trying to be encouraging. I think if you have an outside the box mentality its more likely you'll succeed somewhat. By the way speakeasy, are you planning on teaching english? I think you should at least get certification. There isn't too much money in it here in Central Europe, but I've heard of people saving up some serious cash by going to teach in Siberia or Asia.

[Baldwin81]

(03-05-2014 05:14 PM)kosko Wrote:  

The trend now is to be rich or poor, the middle class is in be past tense so choose which side you want to be on...

Truth.

Just because commericals pitch an aspirational American dream message for goods and services - often paid on credit or in installments - doesn't mean that the country itself is a scam. Tune that shit out.

It does mean that one has to be smart to avoid the pitfalls (Roosh posted today about how he had to deprogram from college). Fortunately, we have all the information in the world in front of us thanks to the internet. The rest is up to you.

The ways of the Stoic have never been so valuable.

[speakeasy]

(03-05-2014 06:32 PM)KorbenDallas Wrote:  

By the way speakeasy, are you planning on teaching english? I think you should at least get certification. There isn't too much money in it here in Central Europe, but I've heard of people saving up some serious cash by going to teach in Siberia or Asia.

I have kind of waffled back and forth about teaching English abroad. At this point I think I'll pass on it. My deciding factors are:

1) The money sucks and the places where the money is decent are not places I'd want to reside(e.g. Middle East, NE Asia). If I was into Asian women, I'd probably head to Japan for a couple years.

2) From what I've read and what a friend has told me who does this, the day to day schedule of an ESL sounds shitty. Like classes being spread out all across the city and having to take long rides on public transit to get from one place to the next. If it was all in one school that you'd go to from 9-5 it would sound much more attractive. So you do all this ripping and running and you're only making enough money to break even if even that. That is if I wanted to teach in a place with the type of girls I'm attracted to i.e. Latina or Central/Eastern European. If the pay was better, that wouldn't be so bad, but if I want to live abroad, going the route of location independent freelance work sounds like a better lifestyle/financial option.

[Hencredible Casanova]

(03-05-2014 03:51 PM)runninutebball Wrote:  

I really wonder sometimes how much these America whiners have traveled. CardGuy's analysis is simplistic but it's also powerful. Do you know what the dowry price of a Yemeni - American girl is? $50-75k easy. This is dramatically higher than her peers for only one reason, she can petition her husband for an immigrant visa! Why do Cubans set sail on makeshift rafts that the crew from Gilligan's Island wouldn't touch risking death? Why was I offered $10k by a Russian girl in Baltimore to marry her?

Did you read that there was a 500% increase in Americans who renounced their citizenship? Do you know the actual yearly figure that increase represents? Less than ONE THOUSAND. That's out of a nation of more than THREE HUNDRED MILLION.

The demise of America is greatly exaggerated on this board. America spends more on its military than the next 10 combined. It is the only country with the ability to sustainably project power anywhere in the world. It is still the number one economy. American culture has been so absorbed by the rest of the world they don't even consider it American anymore. It is fucking irritating to listen to people in Egypt bad mouth America while wearing blue jeans and superman t-shirt, smoking a Marlboro cigarette, while posting to Twitter or Facebook from their iPhone using the WiFi at the neighborhood McDonald's. Oh and the Facebook post was about how excited they are too go see Capt. America: The Winter Soldier when it is released worldwide by Hollywood.

The day America is truly in trouble is the day it enacts exit visa requirements on its citizens (Russia anyone? ). Until then, maybe dial down the America hysteria. If you want to leave forever, explore the world, sow some wild oats in foreign pussy, then go right ahead. Just do me one favor and don't go running to the US government for protection if things don't work out for you in your new poosey paradise.

Rant over

[Cattle Rustler]

(03-05-2014 01:42 PM)j r Wrote:  

Dude, this reads like one of those crazy ranty Facebook statuses that I see obviously bipolar chicks on Facebook posting.

Get a grip. Take some agency in your own life. self improvement is the answer to being less angry.

I was expecting something more like one of those crazy ranty FB status by old men that say:

Quote:

America is about to fall, it's a huge scam perpetuated by the fed and its communist in chief....Barrack HUSSEIN Obama and the minorities fight against us.

In all seriousness, 'Murica is a great place. My father came here with a toolbox and his soul, he started working by scrubbing toilets and working in a car wash.

Years later he built his company and was making money, he got tired of it and sold it. After a break and being broke for a while, he's starting another one and it's growing. He went from minimum wage to charging 18/hr to clean an office. I grew up in the ghetto and wore cheap clothes because times were rough but busted my ass working. My childhood friends are locked up or still in the ghetto earning 7.25/hr because they were too cool for school.

'Murica is what you make it to be.

[Emancipator]

What other country can you still live in the ghetto and still have luxuries like an iphone and internet and cable?

[KorbenDallas]

I think its funny how during Bush Republicans were more, Murica, Fuck Yea, and now during Obama it seems like Republicans are like, Putin, Fuck yea, and democrats are like, Murica, Fuck yea.

[birdie num num]

It's true that one can make something of themselves in America. We've all heard rags to riches stories about the guy that arrives with $2 to his name and later attains the American Dream™. I think of the penniless Vietnamese refugee that created the delicious Sri Racha hot sauce that I eat every day. He's now a millionaire. So there's definitely a culture of hustling and striving to improve one's lot and that's a good thing. The results, things such as technological innovations and labor saving inventions, can benefit the masses. As previously mentioned, it's relatively easy to start a business here compared to other countries.

But there is an ugly flip side. Americans are the most heavily drugged people on the planet. What is the cause? Why are so many people stressed out and taking antidepressants? Perhaps it's pressure to make money to be able to afford the latest trinket? The work-life balance can be skewed. Americans work longer hours and have fewer vacation days than any other industrial nation. Many Americans are rootless and social relations can be shallow. Hyper individualism can lead to alienation and a lack of concern for their fellow citizen. Much has also been written how many Americans barely know their neighbor. Maybe they're too busy pursing the dollar to actually get to know the person next door?

I guess the takeaway is that there is a price to be paid no matter what system you are living in. The intelligent and self aware-person (like the readers of this forum, of course!) can learn to negotiate the pitfalls, count their blessings, and make the most of opportunities.

[speakeasy]

The socialist Scandinavian countries are beating the USA on upward mobility:

http://www.verisi.com/resources/prosperi...bility.htm

The USA beats everyone on concentration of wealth.

[nomadicdude]

LOL @ how some Americans root for America like a sports team. It really is the same vibe. They don't really think of the facts, it's just they support it no matter what.

[CaliforniaSupreme]

(03-05-2014 01:33 PM)nomadicdude Wrote:  

Look at it this way. You basically have no chance of moving up in society unless you are born with a silver spoon. Statistics back this up. The very rich have been allowed to accumulate too much wealth.

Everyone else is a brainwashed peon IMHO, working more hours for less pay than ever before, in order to purchase more material possessions to justify their existence. America has become a braindead consumption society: your existence is tied to eating too much, spending too much, working too much, and obtaining too much in material possessions.

Worse is that people have been brainwashed to believe this is all okay. This is American. What a sad thought process. The idea that you have no security for basic things like healthcare, education, or retirement is insane. Every other rich country on Earth provides these things in a sensible and cost-effective way but in America they throw us all to the corporate dogs so they can make more money.

Anyway, I'll stop. Oh yeah I didn't even get to the obesity issue, third tier women, feminism, or the inane stupidity of the average American about the outside world, including people who have graduate degrees or higher who often think the rest of the world is unsafe and crazy.

So whatever. Anyway...

I call BS.
"You basically have no chance of moving up in society unless you are born with a silver spoon."- You get what you put in, I know people who were in VERY shitty situations and they overcame adversity, etc. It isn't easy but I assure you it can be done. E: My family did this, I serve as a testament to it's existence.

"The very rich have been allowed to accumulate too much wealth."- If you get to that point (hopefully you will,) you'll be all about yourself. There are reasons why many rich people are Republican lol.

"Everyone else is a brainwashed peon"- This may be true, but many people are moving towards the red pill nowadays. This is changing

"America has become a braindead consumption society"- Also partly true, but it's a generalization

"This is American." I call bullshit here, real Americans are the ones who value their countries and themselves, making themselves worthy enough to be called Americans. Not the NASCAR-watching-Walmart-loving-Bud-drinking people.


It's honestly not cool for you to generalize like that. You can easily rip on the US, but I can provide criticism for anywhere else too. Wherever you go will have good aspects and shitty aspects. It's your life, pick your poison.

[nomadicdude]

@ CaliforniaSupreme: again, who cares about individual cases. Statistics show economic mobility is a myth.

The rich are too fucking rich and I say this as someone who has made well into six figures before. The tax code is loaded towards the rich.

At least you admit it's a braindead consumption society. I guess no one can dispute that.

[worldwidetraveler]

(03-05-2014 09:16 PM)nomadicdude Wrote:  

LOL @ how some Americans root for America like a sports team. It really is the same vibe. They don't really think of the facts, it's just they support it no matter what.

Yeah man, it's much better to act like a woman and cry about how life is unfair. You're making the world a better place one whinge at a time.

[CaliforniaSupreme]

(03-05-2014 09:23 PM)nomadicdude Wrote:  

@ CaliforniaSupreme: again, who cares about individual cases. Statistics show economic mobility is a myth.

The rich are too fucking rich and I say this as someone who has made well into six figures before. The tax code is loaded towards the rich.

At least you admit it's a braindead consumption society. I guess no one can dispute that.

I care about individual cases because they can affect you directly. A statistic is just a number, it's very different when you can put a face on the number.

[Feisbook Control]

I agree in many ways with the OP. I also do my fair share of complaining too, and have done more in the past, but here's something I've noticed.

Go on any expat forum -- it doesn't matter which country -- and there will be a huge number of people who simultaneously complain about the country they're from and complain endlessly about the country in which they now live. The funny thing is that none of them actually wants to live in the socialist "paradises" they constantly hold up as the ideal. They want to make Taiwan/Chile/wherever more like Sweden/Canada/the UK, yet they have absolutely no desire to go back to live in Sweden/Canada/the UK because for whatever reason (usually that they're "too stifling" or "the cost of living is too high"), they don't like those places. There's a massive contradiction at the heart of their world view. They're like women who want to change a man, succeed, and then complain that their man is an unexciting beta.

Digging a little deeper, you find that most of them are beta schmucks who work a low skilled job (often English teaching) perhaps earning more than the locals, but still sucking at life. They sucked in Canada, and now they suck in Taiwan. Their whole raison d'etre is watching reruns of Friends or CSI on the foreign cable channels. The more "edgy" of them hang out for the next series of Game of Thrones or go to watch rubgy matches at a sports bar, all with a bunch of other people who are exactly like them. They're like a bunch of crabs in a bucket all dragging one another down.

I knew several people online in Taiwan who admitted to having been here more than a decade and being unable to save all of 3,000 USD in an average year. These are people with white faces who earn more than the average local, and at least one of them is fluent in three languages (Spanish, English and Chinese). At the end of the day, I realised that these people are fucked in the head, and even if only online, I was guilty by association.

Obviously, I wouldn't want to live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or North Korea, but with these guys, you could put them in Sweden right now and they'd still suck. The only difference is that the social safety net in Sweden would give the illusion that they didn't completely suck.

Ultimately, you don't want to be around guys like that, and you don't want to adopt/maintain their kind of mindset, even if they are correct on every single point they make about why the U.S. sucks. Maybe the U.S. does suck, but Denmark would suck too if they lived there. I'm inclined to believe it's those individuals who suck only because I've seen the same thing (and been that way myself) from so many people who are supposedly from "ideal" countries.

On the other hand, this forum is the only one I have ever been to where such a high majority of its members 1) have energy and enthusiasm that boils over, 2) win at life. Why not take inspiration from such people and leave the losers to suck wherever they want to suck? These days, I couldn't give a rodent's earlobe what happens to mediocre people, though it does trouble me that a once great civilisation is going down the tubes. What can you do though but change your own small slice of the world?

[Teutatis]

(03-05-2014 09:26 PM)CaliforniaSupreme Wrote:  

I care about individual cases because they can affect you directly. A statistic is just a number, it's very different when you can put a face on the number.

Selection bias. You and others on this thread are using a few individuals that you personally know or read about and have succeeded to assert that anyone can succeed while disregarding data that show the massive amount of the population never will due to several reasons.

Not everyone is smart, not everyone has the right opportunities, not everyone will have the same connections and network, etc., etc.

That being said, while unlikely, you should still do everything in your power to become successful, whatever success means to you.

[CaliforniaSupreme]

No excuses.

[j r]

(03-05-2014 11:23 PM)Teutatis Wrote:  

(03-05-2014 09:26 PM)CaliforniaSupreme Wrote:  

I care about individual cases because they can affect you directly. A statistic is just a number, it's very different when you can put a face on the number.

Selection bias. You and others on this thread are using a few individuals that you personally know or read about and have succeeded to assert that anyone can succeed while disregarding data that show the massive amount of the population never will due to several reasons.

Not everyone is smart, not everyone has the right opportunities, not everyone will have the same connections and network, etc., etc.

That being said, while unlikely, you should still do everything in your power to become successful, whatever success means to you.

That's not what selection bias means. And what is this "massive amount" of data? How about a citation?

Also, the worst possible way to use statistics is to take a big population and extrapolate your theory from the averages. If you want to learn something from statistics, you have to find instances where you are comparing two similar things to see the effect of one specific difference.

By the way, will one of you guys who are complaining tell me where this magic fantasyland is where someone with below-average intelligence, no start-up capital or connections, and a middling work ethic can step off a plane and be set for life? I'd like to visit this place myself. Even better if it's also one of those places where average dudes have access to an unlimited supply of feminine 8s who have high heels permanently attached to their feet like horseshoes.

[Hispanic_Reasoning]

the US has its pitfalls with women (obviously) but with economics, I can't think of any other place where you can make it big if you put your ass to it. Try being a FOB in places like Italy or France and try to achieve what you can in the US. it's virtually impossible. The US, I hate it for being a cultural shithole but it's a blessing in game training and in being a place where you can achieve it.

[Travesty]

Easy and accessible girls that will pay for their own shit.

High standard of living.

50 states easily accessible with practically every physical environment known to man.

Diversity of girls.

Diversity of jobs.

If you bust your ass in sales or programming you don't even need a formal education to command a high paying salary with relative ease.

Other than personality of women here I have zero complaints.