America's Internet?

Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:26 am

I have to ask, is it just me, or does it seem that a lot of people who talk about politics in forums online seem to always talk more about/from the perspective of America or England than any other country?

IH as a prime example, many of our more recent debates have been concerning America's past, present, and future. Granted, my seeing so many with interest in the topics only added fuel to my already intense fire of social-political issues in America, but even without me on all the sites I frequent... I notice a trend of most political issues that are talked about, talked about from a very "American" perspective.

I'd go so far as to say when people talk about sites (and maybe even the internet itself), they generally speak as if everyone within it is from America.

Is this just me, or have others noticed this?

Why do you think that this trend is emerging? Because internet access and freedom is mostly associated with America? Share your thoughts...

Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:10 pm

Mine. . . it's my internet. Dude, you guys are lucky I'm such a nice guy to let you all use it. Hey, doesn't that make me in charge of who downloads and whether it's illegal or not? Why yes it does. Rolling Eyes

Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:16 pm

Hiya 1337Cyndic@ How's it goin'?
Good point.
I'd guess it's mainly due to the language of the sites you and I visit. They're all English language sites. The greatest power in the English-speaking world is the USA, therefore the bias is evident in posters' beliefs. I hate politics but it's hard to avoid getting drawn in now and then. I can go on for hours about US politics but won't dammit!!!

If you're gaining an interest in socio-politics give the Chomsky a go.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noam_Chomsky

http://www..(info)/articles.htm Cool

He's stone cold and just disects and analyses politics with the US as his focus. He's better to listen to than read, but some of his information is startling and depressing.

Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:20 pm

This is MY series of tubes, and you're all clogging it! I can't send my internets because of you!

Erm, well, on topic, I agree that it tends to be because on English speaking sites, you're going to have more American, Canadian, and British folk than those from other countries. I'm sure it's easier to debate the sociopolitical outlook of South Korea in Korean, for example.

Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:44 pm

The internet isn't a truck.. it isn't something you just dump something on to... it's.. it's a SERIES OF TUBES!

Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:34 pm

1337Cyndic@ wrote:

Because internet access and freedom is mostly associated with America?

Not at all, it's just that you apparently haven't met Mr. Language Barrier before. Now be nice & shake hands.

Most people are uncomfortable socialising and especially debating foreign issues with foreigners. Nothing strange about that, nobody wants to make fools of themselves.

Ethnocentrism, in the non-superiority-complex sense of the word, is perfectly natural. Most people have very limited knowledge of cultures & nations other than their own & no-one is intimately familiar with more than a couple. In a world where humans are diverse, mortal, have countries, cultures & languages, and need to work to support themselves, there's just no helping it.

Also, everyone knows it's Ted's tubes. You dirty pirate.

Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 5:28 pm

1337Cyndic@ wrote

Quote:

or does it seem that a lot of people who talk about politics in forums online seem to always talk more about/from the perspective of America

Just a guesse here but maybe its the Americans talking about American politics from the American perspective. Here in Australia and I am sure other people in other countries have worked the same thing out, politcs are foobar, worked that out 100 years ago, nuthing we can do it about so we dont care. dont matter who you vote in or out its just another person to screw up the world, thats when I sing a little song to myself from Prince.
"Thats when your better off making sure that your soul's alright"

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:38 pm

1337Cyndic@ wrote:

I have to ask, is it just me, or does it seem that a lot of people who talk about politics in forums online seem to always talk more about/from the perspective of America or England than any other country?

IH as a prime example, many of our more recent debates have been concerning America's past, present, and future. Granted, my seeing so many with interest in the topics only added fuel to my already intense fire of social-political issues in America, but even without me on all the sites I frequent... I notice a trend of most political issues that are talked about, talked about from a very "American" perspective.

I'd go so far as to say when people talk about sites (and maybe even the internet itself), they generally speak as if everyone within it is from America.

Is this just me, or have others noticed this?

Why do you think that this trend is emerging? Because internet access and freedom is mostly associated with America? Share your thoughts...

That's funny but true. Yah, I think it's assumed that more people come from America that are on the net. Although, I know that's not totally true. America started the internet though, didn't they? America's just got a bigger population of the speaking English language compared to some of the other countries with big population (China - but they speak mostly Chinese, right?) and doesn't India have their own language too? LOL...

America has 350 million people, Canada has 34 million, the United Kingdom has 61 million people and the other smaller countries, I'd have to look up. Scotland 5 million people, Ireland 4 million, Malaysia has 25 million people (do they speak English though - I know they were a part of the Brit rule at one point), etc., 20 million for Australia

America just has more people that speak the English language in one country which probably gives you an answer to your question?

As for the American perspective that you stated, would probably be because there's more American movies, television and radio in our English speaking countries. Do I have an American perspective? If I do, it's the television and music I grew up listening to and watching.

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:39 pm

BouncinBunny wrote:

America started the internet though, didn't they?

Yea, originally a US military project during the cold war. Apparently, the plan was to defeat the Soviets by flooding them with porn pop-ups.

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:46 pm

here's something, I want to ask... America used to have 350 million people from an atlas from 10 years ago, now, it's 301 million people... what's going on? Canada's population has increased from when I last checked by 4 million, but America, my daughter mentioned the twin towers - how many passed away in that?

India's increased to over a billion now from what used to be 950 million and China increased too... no wonder, there's more of those nationalities on this continent now... makes sense.

Here's a list of English speaking countries... looking up the population... if one's interested

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_English-speaking_population

red is supposed to be population witha a knowledge of English, although, it's not totally accurate... Not all of Quebec speaks English, and some people further up North. but think that's what's getting entrapped into it... Very Happy

and I'd say parts of Mexico, now speak English.

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:28 pm

idkfa wrote:

Yea, originally a US military project during the cold war. Apparently, the plan was to defeat the Soviets by flooding them with porn pop-ups.

Yea Kinda:
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa091598.htm

BouncinBunny wrote:

here's something, I want to ask... America used to have 350 million people from an atlas from 10 years ago, now, it's 301 million people... what's going on?

We are deporting them out faster than they immigrate. Very Happy

BouncinBunny wrote:

Canada's population has increased from when I last checked by 4 million,

They tolerate Pot and IH lives there! Got to love'em.

BouncinBunny wrote:

but America, my daughter mentioned the twin towers - how many passed away in that?

Excluding the 19 hijackers, 2,974 people died as an immediate result of the attacks with another 24 missing and presumed dead.

BouncinBunny wrote:

Here's a list of English speaking countries... looking up the population... if one's interested

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_English-speaking_population

red is supposed to be population with a knowledge of English, although, it's not totally accurate... Not all of Quebec speaks English, and some people further up North. but think that's what's getting entrapped into it... Very Happy

and I'd say parts of Mexico, now speak English.

I would say at least 1/5th of the US is now speaking Spanish. Come to Texas and go to a Mexican restaurant or the DPS. Laughing

Not to mention Miami and Southern California for starters.

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:53 am

It's for everyone, but if you go of some forums it more companys than the peoples.

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:40 am

BouncinBunny wrote:

here's something, I want to ask... America used to have 350 million people from an atlas from 10 years ago, now, it's 301 million people... what's going on?

Actually we haven't yet made it to 350 m. Its pretty common to talk about population here and every few years you notice a slight increase in the number.

Around 1970 America broke the 200 m mark. 1960 population was around 175 m.

Our population growth rate slowed down around the time abortion was legalized.

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:43 am

teh internet belongs to the isp's, you're paying them for it don't you?

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 5:51 pm

BouncinBunny wrote:

red is supposed to be population witha a knowledge of English, although, it's not totally accurate...

So what does yellow mean? And why is India black? I speak with quality english speaking folks there whenever I need tech support for anything. Laughing

But yes, I'd say language barrier is the biggest factor here. Most folk who don't speak english will stick to community sites that are more geared toward them. For some, english is not only a different language but we use a different alphabet in some cases as well.

Another factor is economic class. It's a simple fact that most countries aren't as well off as those that just happen to be english speaking and for many the general population won't have PC's, let alone regular internet access.