Wednesday 18 April 2007

The Earth is Red

I guess the title could apply to a few things today. But literally, the earth is red in Australia. I'm referring to the dirt. It looks so exotic and strange at the same time. I'd guess it's also full of clay? It sticks to the bottoms of shoes and even blows in through the windows if you're not careful.

The shooting in Virginia has been all over the news this past day or so. All of these Australians are calling in to radio stations to give their opinion on why they think it occured. Facts remain that it isn't because we have more guns than anyone other country, and that this time it wasn't a middle class white person. I'd tend to think we have shooting like this due to the egocentric nature of the American psyche (although I'm not sure I can apply it here as it was an international student from South Korea this time). After interacting with many from different cultures around the world, I have learned that Americans have the tendency, much moreso than any other culture I've interacted with, to put themselves first. It's ingrained in us to think of ourselves ahead of anyone else, and not to be so much concerned about the results of our actions on others. Cultural differences like this are programmed in us from the time we begin to speak and socialise, I think. When Americans get desperate, they don't think about the consequences of their actions on others. This is probably part or most of the reason we are perceived poorly by the rest of the world. I'm not sure what else I think on the subject, so I'll leave it here for now.

10 comments:

steveg said...

Susan!

I've only just noticed that you are reading THHGTTG (Hitch Hiker) - A Trilogy in 5 parts - pure unadulterated brilliance - my work colleagues and I continually quote passages of it to each other suitable to whatever situation we may find oursaelves involved in. I hope you are enjoying it? btw which book (in the series) are you currently on?

I am dying to know your thoughts as an American about this book, I really thought that the humour was almost exclusively British, so I truly would be interested.

Best Wishes

Steve

Suzer said...

I didn't know it was a trilogy. The copy of the book I have is thin and old and only has the title I have listed, so am assuming it's the first one? Haven't dug too far into it. I'm not a HUGE fan of sci-fi lit, but am giving it a go and more curious then anything else at the moment.

steveg said...

Ahhhh yes it is known as a trilogy (in 5 parts - another Adams joke)

1) The Hitch hikers Guide to the Galaxy

2) The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

3) Life, the Universe and Everything

4) So Long, And thanks for all the Fish

5) Mostly Harmless

And there you have the complete HH Trilogy (some pretty nifty titles huh?) These are books I have read and re-read many times over the years and each time I get something different from them - they have cult status around the world - It's not so much Sci-Fi however as a huge piss take, but they are funny.

My favourite Character? Marvin every time!! (the Paranoid Android) - There is even a record made about him believe it or not!

Steve

steveg said...

(A P.S. to my previous comment)

The answer, by the way, is 42

Steve

Suzer said...

The answer to...? I missed something, as usual...

S

steveg said...

Aha! I suspected that might get you if you are only on the first book (honestly you have to read at the very least the first 3!

42 is the answer to the ultimate question about Life, The Universe and Everything!

You haven't missed anything, it's just hasn't happened yet

Steve

Suzer said...

The answer to the ultimate question about life, the universe and everything...I could use that;)

ErinOrtlund said...

Hi Suzer! Found your blog listed on the expat blog list. Very cool! Can't wait to read more about your adventure in Australia.

Erin from AmExpatsUK

kitten said...

Hey there! Sorry it took me so long to get back to you, but your email ended up in my spam list for some darn reason *ugh*. The other thing is...I need your email! Send me email and I'll send you questions, chica!

Anonymous said...

Hey Suzer

I'm also a Suze R but am Australian living in Holland. Great blog.

cheers
Suze