I think within the U.S., we are better at business and marketing. Our country always sets the trends for others to follow. Even though Justin Bieber isn't American, we were able to highly promote his good looks and singing skills that everyone around the world either loves him, hates him, or plainly just knows who he is. Other artists; Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj, Usher, T Pain, and so on. Just think about it, there are rarely any other POPULAR artists that come from other countries. At the moment, I can think of Coldplay, but their songs aren't played on the mainstream radios such as 101.3 and 96.3. Also, I've seen videos of how crazy people around the world can be once they are around a celebrity. They try to tackle them down, rip of a piece of their hair, clothing, something to have as a memorabilia.
Another interesting thing is that people around the world, I think, are more obsessed about trying to become celebrities themselves or adapt to the American pop culture market. The only reason why they can't do it is because, truthfully, international looks and trends aren't trendy. Stereotypically and sadly enough, no one takes bollywood, chinese, korean, etc, music seriously. It's either too funny or just not cool enough. I'm not trying to be biased, for I have a collection of Asian music that I listen to. Plus, I've seen some pretty interesting and abstract Asian music videos that are really...unique...in a good way? No, not really. For example:
After watching this video for the first time, I could not stop laughing. First of all, ring ring ring ring? Fantastic? Elastic? Also, who shoots out wings at the end of the video? It didn't make sense?! About ten guys dancing at different scenes then randomly pop out wings at the end! I just looked up the lyrics, and it's about a guys loving a girl and going crazy for her. I don't really see the connection with the choreography, lyrics, scenery, or the wings. I think they were just going for the cool factor and tried to appeal to the global pop culture market. But I do give them props for having a catchy beat. I actually like the song, I just don't understand the wings! Just to further support my argument, the response from one of my classes truly stated that this video was pretty much a joke. They thought it was weird and definitely not cool. The thing is that people need to understand the Asian pop culture. They LOVE cute things, are really into intricate choreography (they are well known for dancing, especially break dancing), love to exaggerate, and tend to be really abstract with their ideas. (Just watch some animes, and you'll understand.)
To emphasize our marketing capabilities, celebrities in the U.S. are really good at creating their own products (clothes, perfume, recording studios, etc) and at promoting other high end styles of clothing such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, etc. That's why the red carpet and our media is so important. It gives a chance for people to see what is popular and to criticize what is disgusting.
Sorry got a little off topic for a while, but in conclusion, other countries are looked upon being smarter because of the subjects and careers they specialize in compared to what U.S. specializes in are more strenuous to the mind. (Finding complex formulas and solutions to problems is much more copmlex than modeling, not saying that modeling isn't hard) But everyone is different, it's just that for some reason, majority of people in U.S. are good in marketing and business while other countries are good in science, engineering, whatever it may be.
I feel the opportunities that we have in the U.S. causes the great difference between education in foreign countries compared to the U.S. I think that the U.S. has so many jobs and opportunities to start ANYTHING that people usually don't try as hard as they should in school because they know that they can always start something any day. But in other countries, government, along with culture, restricts some of the opportunities for people to pursue the career that they like. I think that people in the U.S. can pursue what they like while people in other countries need to pursue a career that they need to survive. That's why so many people in other countries study hard to try to get a career with good pay (ooo also keep in mind that they have to compete with thousands of people for the same career path), while some people in the U.S. are able to just drop out of high school and college and can start a multimillion business! There have been many companies in the U.S. that were started by risky entrepreneurs.
I don't know. I feel like I'm just going in circles with this discussion. I just feel that people have the freedom to do whatever they want whenever they please. Countries aren't smarter than others, they just specialize in certain things, they are just different because people and cultures are different. Sometimes that's the reason why the stereotypes of races occur. What matters in the end is being able to support yourself and being happy. If not, then what's life worth living for?
Personally for me and my intended career path, I have to try extremely hard to reach my goal, so I must study extra hours to get to where I want to go. If I don't, my credibility will be shot and I won't be able to become a doctor. I love Science, just learning how the world works interests me! Also being able to work with really sick people excites me, so I would never be bored of my job. (If I get it)
And you never know, the slacker kid sitting right next to you could be the next Donald Trump. They just have to put a little effort, then BAM! They are a millionaire. Sure the facts in 2 million minutes may be true, but for me, it shouldn't be about which country has the best students. Realistically I think it's more of which country is doing better in improving business and the future. Sure some students in the U.S. are slacking off, but when they start working, they are actually really good. Some students may need the extra help, like Rose in "I Wanna Be Average" in order to succeed in life. Everyone is different.
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