Talking About Nerdy Stuff While We Wait

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
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<p>Here’s my opinion about American exceptionalism: America is not special. We have some special people, and we’ve done some exceptional things over the years. But, we’ve also got some awful people and done horrible things, too. There are some things we’re the best at, and other things…not so much. </p>

<p>The problem with it is that, more often than not, it’s used to justify our actions in a variety of political conflicts, as opposed to sitting down and really thinking out the reasons for taking action or not. We don’t like being criticized, regardless of whether or not it’s true. We drown out all criticism with our insistence that we’re special, which is unfortunate because we could learn a lot from other countries and how they solve certain social problems. </p>

<p>I also think that the idea of American exceptionalism manifests itself as the modern iteration of colonialism and Manifest Destiny. Historically speaking, both of those things didn’t end well for the people without the power; that’s especially true for Native American peoples. </p>

<p>But that’s just my two cents. There are certainly lots of other valid perspectives.</p>

82

<p>@deadxpoetics
“The problem with it is that, more often than not, it’s used to justify our actions in a variety of political conflicts, as opposed to sitting down and really thinking out the reasons for taking action or not.”</p>

<p>Yep. I guess this is what is required to convince idiots to go to war lol. They are not capable of the complex calculations required to justify or remove the support for war.</p>

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<p>@acanady88</p>

<p>I’m not directing this at you. I have no idea what your position on this is lol.</p>

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<p>Yeah. I mean, every time I think of American exceptionalism, one thing comes to mind: France. Before the Iraq war, they decided not to support us because they didn’t see any evidence of WMDs or a valid reason to invest their money and time invading Iraq, even though it was absolutely their right to choose not to do so. We just went NUTS in this country. I’m sure you remember the whole “Freedom Fries” thing. We just can’t handle people not agreeing with us because…well, because we’re AMERICA. </p>

<p>Turns out France was right about the WMDs and the long-term investment. But many Americans still hate them for that to this day. Mais c’est la vie, n’est-ce pas?</p>

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<p>The promotion of the idea of US exceptionalism is just another ruse used by the propagandists of the elite predators to reduce resistance to their predations. It is used along with religion and religious-like beliefs in the holy “market” and whatever else might sell to the unsophisticated to get them to go along down a path that may not be in their best interests. These methods have been used over and over again by elite predators in a great number of societies over the last few millennia.</p>

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<p>First, @Acanaday88: I just wanted to clarify, I definitely didn’t mean in any way for my previous comment to come across as rude or critical yesterday. If it is your position that American Exceptionalism is a good thing, I am genuinely interested in hearing that supporting argument. It’s also entirely possible that I misunderstood your position upon which my response was based. Either way, my apologies if it came across as anything but politely curious. </p>

<p>Second, welcome to the CC edition of Intense Debate, @austinareadad! Do you know how thrilled I would be if my own father randomly and spontaneously dove into a forum thread discussing the concept of American Exceptionalism, not to mention drawing parallels between this and organized religion? Elated, I tell you. I would be just elated. </p>

<p>Now back to regularly scheduled programming. Well, this is indeed a rare occasion… Multiple people have shared their opinions on a relatively contentious subject and I cannot seem to find a single point on which I disagree, with the possible exception of war-hawkish proclivities, but that’s a topic for a different day. </p>

<p>Another rather interesting connection no one has mentioned here yet is the one made by Gail Collins in her latest book, As Texas Goes… (italics implied). She suggests that American Exceptionalism is more or less borne straight out of Texas Exceptionalism. I wish that book were required reading for the entire Texas citizenry. </p>

<p>Last but certainly not least, anyone watch HBO’s “Newsroom”? I don’t, but the following clip made its way to my inbox with the tagline “The most honest 3.5 minutes of television. EVER.” It’s relevant to the topic at hand and (mostly) sums up my opinions on the matter quite concisely, something of an echo of many positions already expounded above: </p>

<p>[The</a> most honest three and a half minutes of television, EVER… - YouTube](<a href=“The most honest three and a half minutes of television, EVER... - YouTube”>The most honest three and a half minutes of television, EVER... - YouTube)</p>

<p>P.S. The dude in the brown suit is <em>totally</em> Rick Perry!</p>

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<p>That clip was AWESOME. I think I MUST watch that show now. lol. I agree with pretty much everything he said, and that’s why I think American Exceptionalism is bunk. Because when you’re me, and you study/are interested in statistics and demographics, you’re acutely aware of the US prison population and the other issues he mentions. </p>

<p>But I definitely agree that Texas has it’s own brand of exceptionalism. I was born in Texas, but I wasn’t raised here, so when I came back at the tender age of 12, it was certainly a strange place. When I took my Texas Government class, my prof devoted almost an entire lecture to Texas Exceptionalism and tied it into some of the issues we have as a state. She made an entire slide show demonstrating some of the weird things we do. For example, Texas shaped chips. Texas tattoos (nobody from other states does that…I was raised in Illinois. Nobody gets Illinois shaped tattoos. Perhaps the only exception is post-Katrina Louisiana). Texas shaped cake pans. Texas flags on everything. Texans are obsessed with themselves. And the only thing that’s really wrong with that is the attitude that, since we’re the “greatest state in this country”, nothing ever needs to change. You know the saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. </p>

<p>But there are things that need to change. We have one of the highest teen pregnancy rates. One of the lowest rates of children with health insurance (and adults, too). We rank last in the percentage of adults with high school diplomas, and we have the dirtiest air in America. We have some of the lowest unemployment rates, but most of those jobs are minimum wage food service and retail, etc. We’re currently going through some startling demographic changes, though, so I think many of these problems will only worsen. Also, the state may go blue in 25 years or so. What a shocking thought, actually. lol</p>

<p>The thing I’m curious about, though, is why the book you mention claims that American exceptionalism stems from Texas exceptionalism, and not the other way around? America has always thought it was pretty darn special, even since before Texas was settled. So I’m interested to hear more about that. :)</p>

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<p>Well, this probably violates CC’s anonymity policy, but I see no reason to hide, so here’s the blog post I mentioned on Texas Exceptionalism if anyone is curious: </p>

<p>[Capitol</a> Punishment: “Texas Exceptionalism” … Exceptional? Sure. Exceptionally good? Not a chance.](<a href=“http://kristagollihar.blogspot.com/2012/07/texas-exceptionalism-exceptional-sure.html]Capitol”>Capitol Punishment: "Texas Exceptionalism" ... Exceptional? Sure. Exceptionally good? Not a chance.)</p>

<p>I understand the confusion with Gail’s position; it does seem totally backwards. To be fair, I’m not sure that suggestion was ever explicitly stated, but it definitely seemed implied. The difference, I think, is that she was talking more about exceptionalism in its modern sense. Though the argument could easily be made that this country has more or less had some sort of superiority complex for the duration of its existence, and though imperialism/colonialism/predestination are all undoubtedly based upon an arrogant and/or entitled nature, I think there are important distinctions to be made between the different “varieties.” This is not to say that any one is more or less reprehensible than its counterparts, only that there are important differences. </p>

<p>American Exceptionalism, though everpresent, seemed to become a whole new beast after WWII. Maybe because our abstract notions that we were the greatest country in the world sort of became a reality for arguably the first time ever. And this was immediately preceded by the Great Depression which in itself did a great deal towards humbling the masses and, I would imagine, all but killed the exceptionalistic delusions of grandeur of their day. Then came Pearl Harbor, the toys of war hit the assembly lines, money started rolling throughout the economy, and we swooped in like Captain America just in the nick of time to “save the day” and get most of the credit for ending the war. We were again filthy rich, ever powerful, and nearly all serious competitors had their landscapes ravaged by battle - and being on top was even sweeter coming on the heels of Black Tuesday and all that followed. For all the time we told ourselves that we were the best before, it was then for the first time actually true. </p>

<p>Scroll forward 1-2 generations, however, and what do we find? A population who believes that We’re the best! We’re the best! - not necessarily for any real reason other than that’s what they’ve always been told and the only way they’ve ever known it to be. Except for the veterans who have been overseas, their families, and handfuls of others, it seems the vast majority of the American public is deaf, dumb and blind to the realities of war and what it means to really struggle and what it means to not be on top. </p>

<p>Once upon a time, we probably were the best by most standards. Now, “we the people” are just an arrogant and ignorant bunch, making ourselves look utterly foolish in the eyes of the rest of the world. We’re like the washed out, has-been prom queen who never did a damn thing in her life to better herself, thinking her fabulous teenage looks would suffice in place of knowledge, character or hard work forever and ever amen, still clinging to her tiara at age 45 and tearfully staring at the empty bottom of a vodka bottle every night. Denial can’t last forever though. Reality must eventually and will inevitably set in. </p>

<p>We’re the first generation that will make less than our parents made, and with a helluva lot more debt. Call me a skeptic or even a cynic, and maybe I am, but I don’t expect that economic trend to revert back to a pattern of “eternal growth” (whatever that means) anytime in the foreseeable future. </p>

<p>What’s the next phase again? I forget… Is it anger or bargaining that comes after denial? Whichever it is, get ready. It’s coming soon to a country near you.</p>

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<p>Oh, and as for Texas going blue, I would frankly be shocked if it takes anywhere near that long. Baby Boomers are headed to nursing homes, heavy-duty immigration reform is (finally) in the works, and the largest single-state K-12 population in history is only getting bigger by the year. </p>

<p>As it stands, TX is fully geared to become Ol’ Big Blue in 1 decade, tops. </p>

<p>And I can’t WAIT!</p>

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<p>I think Texas is culturally starting to be less conservative…well, at least in the bigger cities. I’ve been to east Texas; I have no delusions about whether or not those places will be blue. lol. But yeah, we’re headed for a big die off of the boomers, as well as massive unsustainable immigration (I say “unsustainable” because Texas doesn’t currently have the infrastructure/social safety net to support it…Texans in general prefer low taxes to quality education and kids with health insurance). </p>

<p>However, we have to remember that social change on the whole is slow. Dominant political parties tend to gain their own momentum and keep going. This is reinforced through the fact that the incumbent is 95% likely to be reelected in any given term. People just like familiar stuff. Personally, I’d like to see term limits for the governor and other major state offices. Gov. Good Hair has had his run, but he needs to retire and let someone else try their hand at it. :P</p>

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<p>I’m sorry I haven’t been able to contribute to this interesting conversation! I had an emergency and needed to go find a full-time job over the last couple of days. Needless to say, finances have been a little tricky! </p>

<p>@whatevdude</p>

<p>I probably should have been less vague with the war-hawk comment. I’m considered dead-center on this issue, if that helps at all. I’m not a neoconservative, but I’m also not Dennis Kucinich or Ron Paul lol.</p>

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<p>Sorry to hear about your troubles, dude. I hope you find a FT job soon! I know how it goes with the money. I’m employed at a decent job, but I can’t work much due to my class schedule, and I make JUST enough to keep things paid; I have nothing extra at the end. A medical emergency would totally ruin me. </p>

<p>So what do you think…Will Texas turn blue? Or at least be a viable swing state? If so, how long do you think it’ll take?</p>

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<p>I found a job, full-time, but it is pretty tiring. The rest of this semester is going to be brutal. 45 hrs a week in a warehouse plus a full load. ugh lol. I know the feeling!</p>

<p>Texas will turn blue as long as dems can keep getting the Hispanic vote, which I think will be the case. I think it could happen within the next ten years, but it will still be a very moderate democratic party. I’m actually to the center politically, so I like the idea of a purple state with moderate politicians.</p>

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<p>Man I’d love to join in on the conversation, especially regarding the blue vs red subject in regards to Texas, but I have way too much homework due the next few weeks. Great conversation to have over a beer, without having people beat each other, or get offended simply because someone doesn’t agree with their viewpoint. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only Comm College student looking to transfer out.</p>

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<p>@ablindwatchmaker: Have you checked out the hirealonghorn job bank? They have some pretty intriguing opportunities available that might be more conducive to a full-time student’s lifestyle. </p>

<p><a href=“https://hirealonghorn-csm.symplicity.com/students/index.php?mode=list&s=jobs&ss=jobs[/url]”>https://hirealonghorn-csm.symplicity.com/students/index.php?mode=list&s=jobs&ss=jobs&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;