Having lived in Mexico myself, I concur with your assessment. Having travelled all over the world, I can tell you that the same can be applied to several other countries and cultures. American insanity at present is not at all normal.
Glad you have found your home in Mexico. Seems you are very happy there, especially when you look in the rear-view mirror. Still, I would be hesitant to paint a large diverse country such as the US with a broad brush. Living seasonally in two distinct regions of the States, and having visited many others, I note that attitudes and lifestyle can be vastly different. NYC where you spent a good portion of time, is almost a Country to itself, and the attitudes there can vary substantially from the farm towns of Eastern Connecticut, Central Florida, etc. I remember visiting Mexico City in the early 80's, with a warning from the locals, to watch my wallet and stay within certain parameters of the City. I'll guess (or hope) things have changed there since then, but the point being that any large Country has it's good and bad elements.
As an American, it concerns me to see neo-Nazis marching through Washington on the Fourth of July. The most negative voices often get the most attention. There's so much good in the US, and I'd like to see more of that in the media, instead of this non-stop barrage of hate and incompetence coming out of Washington right now.
Amen to that Cuz! In a true free democracy, we should expect to see divergent points of view expressed. We may not like it, of course, but it does signal a tolerance for any form of speech within the bounds set by law. I also find it difficult to interpret the new labels assigned by different political factions. For example, the casual use of the term "Nazi" has IMO diluted the historic vision of the WWII storm troopers who indiscriminately committed genocide everywhere they traveled. Perhaps, as you point out, in the context of today's politics these are the most negative voices striving to get more attention.
We've just returned from a few days in Manhattan. It was a fantastic trip, New Yorkers as direct as ever, and random encounters refreshing. Busyness, for sure, but also some kind of feeling that we're in this stew together so let's bump around the cauldron with some recognition.
What is most astonishing about the United States is a president who lacks knowledge of geography and basic diplomatic skills, not to mention foresight and responsibility for his own words.
Indeed, Mexico teaches a lot, including frustration tolerance. Mexicans don't have the sense of entitlement that most Americans do, and so are not as perturbed by the glitches in life. I have learned not to take things so seriously.
On a whole, I'm in agreement. The great culture shock whenever we return north for the summer is not only that no one greets you, but no one even looks at you. And this has, no surprise, gotten worse under the current federal regime. On this return it has felt that people are more isolated, and even frightened - certainly nervous. I could go on to no end as to reasons and situations, but you've said most of what needs to be said. The flip side is that if the barriers get broken through with a smile, a nod, or a remark, the encounters are pleasant. People want contact, they just don't know how easy it is to make it happen.
America isn’t drifting back to the old neighborhood. That bridge burned while half the country argued over who struck the match. Five years from now, you’ll be looking at a different beast. The shape depends on who wins the knife fight already underway in courtrooms, legislatures, school boards, newsrooms, and the dark carnival of the internet.
A fierce minority has spent years taking a crowbar to institutions most people assumed would stand forever. The larger crowd keeps waiting for gravity to restore order. History rarely offers that service. If the majority wants a different ending, somebody has to get off the couch and write one.
Then there’s AI. Nobody knows where this locomotive is headed. I’ve lived with the machines for three years, pushing them hard, watching them surprise me, frustrate me, and occasionally leave me staring at the screen like I’d seen a ghost order lunch. I lean toward optimism, but I keep one hand near the exit.
As for the American people, I’m done making predictions. I’ve got a front row seat, a notebook full of questions, and enough scars to know the ending hasn’t been written yet.
Yesterday at the gym, between rounds, my ring partner and I got into a quick conversation about guns and shooting. She knew I'd served and asked if I liked shooting. I said yes, but that it had been many, many, many years since I'd last held a weapon. She said she was learning. What with, I asked. A Glock and an AR, was her answer. I asked if it was for fun or if she was worried about something. She said that the "other side," was definitely armed, and we needed the know-how. I just nodded as the bell sounded, and we got back to punching at each other. Young woman, mid-twenties, as nice a person as I know. Good boxer. Fierce, though masked by a lovely demeanor. Got me to wondering how many of the youngers are thinking her way.
Having lived in Mexico myself, I concur with your assessment. Having travelled all over the world, I can tell you that the same can be applied to several other countries and cultures. American insanity at present is not at all normal.
We were in Paris two years ago - absolutely delightful.
Glad you have found your home in Mexico. Seems you are very happy there, especially when you look in the rear-view mirror. Still, I would be hesitant to paint a large diverse country such as the US with a broad brush. Living seasonally in two distinct regions of the States, and having visited many others, I note that attitudes and lifestyle can be vastly different. NYC where you spent a good portion of time, is almost a Country to itself, and the attitudes there can vary substantially from the farm towns of Eastern Connecticut, Central Florida, etc. I remember visiting Mexico City in the early 80's, with a warning from the locals, to watch my wallet and stay within certain parameters of the City. I'll guess (or hope) things have changed there since then, but the point being that any large Country has it's good and bad elements.
As an American, it concerns me to see neo-Nazis marching through Washington on the Fourth of July. The most negative voices often get the most attention. There's so much good in the US, and I'd like to see more of that in the media, instead of this non-stop barrage of hate and incompetence coming out of Washington right now.
Amen to that Cuz! In a true free democracy, we should expect to see divergent points of view expressed. We may not like it, of course, but it does signal a tolerance for any form of speech within the bounds set by law. I also find it difficult to interpret the new labels assigned by different political factions. For example, the casual use of the term "Nazi" has IMO diluted the historic vision of the WWII storm troopers who indiscriminately committed genocide everywhere they traveled. Perhaps, as you point out, in the context of today's politics these are the most negative voices striving to get more attention.
That they dare is a disturbing sign of the times.
We've just returned from a few days in Manhattan. It was a fantastic trip, New Yorkers as direct as ever, and random encounters refreshing. Busyness, for sure, but also some kind of feeling that we're in this stew together so let's bump around the cauldron with some recognition.
What is most astonishing about the United States is a president who lacks knowledge of geography and basic diplomatic skills, not to mention foresight and responsibility for his own words.
Indeed, Mexico teaches a lot, including frustration tolerance. Mexicans don't have the sense of entitlement that most Americans do, and so are not as perturbed by the glitches in life. I have learned not to take things so seriously.
On a whole, I'm in agreement. The great culture shock whenever we return north for the summer is not only that no one greets you, but no one even looks at you. And this has, no surprise, gotten worse under the current federal regime. On this return it has felt that people are more isolated, and even frightened - certainly nervous. I could go on to no end as to reasons and situations, but you've said most of what needs to be said. The flip side is that if the barriers get broken through with a smile, a nod, or a remark, the encounters are pleasant. People want contact, they just don't know how easy it is to make it happen.
America isn’t drifting back to the old neighborhood. That bridge burned while half the country argued over who struck the match. Five years from now, you’ll be looking at a different beast. The shape depends on who wins the knife fight already underway in courtrooms, legislatures, school boards, newsrooms, and the dark carnival of the internet.
A fierce minority has spent years taking a crowbar to institutions most people assumed would stand forever. The larger crowd keeps waiting for gravity to restore order. History rarely offers that service. If the majority wants a different ending, somebody has to get off the couch and write one.
Then there’s AI. Nobody knows where this locomotive is headed. I’ve lived with the machines for three years, pushing them hard, watching them surprise me, frustrate me, and occasionally leave me staring at the screen like I’d seen a ghost order lunch. I lean toward optimism, but I keep one hand near the exit.
As for the American people, I’m done making predictions. I’ve got a front row seat, a notebook full of questions, and enough scars to know the ending hasn’t been written yet.
Yesterday at the gym, between rounds, my ring partner and I got into a quick conversation about guns and shooting. She knew I'd served and asked if I liked shooting. I said yes, but that it had been many, many, many years since I'd last held a weapon. She said she was learning. What with, I asked. A Glock and an AR, was her answer. I asked if it was for fun or if she was worried about something. She said that the "other side," was definitely armed, and we needed the know-how. I just nodded as the bell sounded, and we got back to punching at each other. Young woman, mid-twenties, as nice a person as I know. Good boxer. Fierce, though masked by a lovely demeanor. Got me to wondering how many of the youngers are thinking her way.