Why is it that we as Americans are so superficial? We have absolutely no respect for a person's mind or soul!

i agree!!!! go fat people!!!!!!!!! americans suck man i hate living here sure were free and all but how free are we actualy?!?! i mean we dont have to be slaves or anything but were just as dictated by magazines and the latest fashions!!! well my answer might sound stupid...i cant put my opinion in words well :(((

hope i dont sound like an idiot

I read this 25 years ago on moving abroad, it may still be relevant:

Culture of Narcissism: American Life in an Age of Diminishing Expectations (Paperback)

by Christopher Lasch "The Waning of the Sense of Historical Time As the twentieth century approaches its end, the conviction grows that many other things are ending too..." (more)

Explore: Citations | Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats | SIPs | CAPs

Browse: Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

(16 customer reviews)

Well, not all Americans are like that. I went to a large highschool (class of 600+), and our Homecoming King was not the hottest, fastest, hunkiest guy. He was an average-looking (maybe even short), kinda nerdy kid, but he was hands down the nicest guy ever, and that's why we voted for him.

About obesity and anorexia....

Anorexia and bulimia have been acknowledged to be a clinical diseases. People with anorexia are treated in hospitals (mentally and physically) and go through rehab.

But obese people often refuse to admit any health problems. They continue to feel like they are being hated for their weight. But look at nature. There are no obese lions or monkeys. Animals that look obese to us (walrus) are actually designed that way for their enviornments. That's how they function best. But too many obese humans cannot climb stairs, cannot walk as far as they should be able to, have heart problems, diabetes, etc.

And about the "war on anorexia," anorexia and bulimia are not as big problems as obesity. Obesity is right now the number one cause of death in America (overtaking smoking). 1/3 of americans are overweight. It wasn't like this a century ago. This isn't natural, and it's downright depressing.

There are plenty of people out there that are a little chubby and perfectly health for sure. But there are also too many people with too many extra pounds and a growing number of health problems.

THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO IS ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. It took a long time for anorexia to be considered a problem, but now people are able to acknowledge their problems and get help.

Obese people, however, feel they have to defend their weight. They take health advice as attacks on personal appearance, and while it is certainly true that big can be beautiful, it doesn't matter if you've become ugly and disease-riddled on the inside.

Oh, and about smart people, I think Americans value strength over intellegence. I think that the war on Iraq is a prime example of this. Also, we are the only developed country where Evolution is still an issue among the masses.

However, a know-it-all is just one who flaunts their intellegence, as opposed to one who shares wisdom when asked. I suppose anyways....

It is the media's fault. Also Americans have no royalty, celebrities are our royalty. Kids looks up to the wrong people these days, for instance, Paris Hilton, Brittney Spears, etc. Only in this country would Paris become famous for being a tramp, writing very bad music and having no talent whatsoever, It is a shame! Great question.

Corporations have nothing to do with it. It's our culture that is making us that way. It's politically correctness (or as I like to put it, politely incorrect.) We have become a society of selfish, egotistical bigots who cry like babies when something doesn't go our way. We sue people for our own stupidity. We make jokes out of people who are less than perfect, as if anyone is perfect. We stereotype and pigeon hole people, but act insulted when we are stereotyped or pigeon holed. Look at the questions on this forum where can I get (whatever) for FREE! As if we are entitled to everything without earning it. And yet we (as a society) stand by and watch our schools deteriorate, both physically and academically. Parents aren't allowed to discipline their children, yet they get sent to jail for the deeds of the child. And then the child becomes an adult and has no clue whatsoever, as he was never taught responsibility, integrity, morals or ethics. So drug abuse and alcoholism skyrockets and there is nothing left in life but to act superior and laugh at fat people.

It's not just AMERICANS, it is CANADIANS as well, and the WESTERN CULTURE in general...

Romance is even out the window...

As a Canadian I can go to Cuba on vacation without a problem...

Women love romance there...

Take them to a restruant or do something nice, and they thank you, and just love romance, and here's the best part...

They don't run away and hide, and think... "oh, he likes me"

So now I'll run away, he is too much of a NICE GUY...

They actually love romance, unlike these American, and Canadian women, and Western Cultured women, who claim they want to be romanced, but then run away when a guy treats them good...

Just my slant on things...

Ya, and everyone is a hottie, and all of this B.S...

It's very sickening, this hottie, that and hottie this...

Good looks is great, but there has to be more going on than just good looks...

I like the hotties too...lol

But, not the brain dead ones, and there are lots of them around...lol

What a whacked out world...

Because everybody whants the "in" stuff. Humanity has forgotten about the basics of life. and being happy for what they have. It is a compitition to always

be the best

have the best

whant the best

it makes ALOT of money and is really sad. I wish we could earase time and go back to were you were happy for having you kids and a place to sleep and food on your table....Those are what are really important

WE do see alot of that as a whole , I'm sure glad I have the right to believe what ever I want ! , because I look at everyone for who they are as individuals , How they treat others ,and then how willing they are to be openminded . Then I still try not to judge them !!!

The media ...TV.... madison Avenue.....music.... movies .......... all of these promulgatge artificial lifestyles and shallow values. Factor in that most parents are no longer home to guide their kids, and the result is the narcissistic, crude, selfish generation that we have today.

beacause american society is dumb, ignorant and pathetic.. Girls say to their friends "I ate a big co00ck!!" and guys say " can't we just hug"? Even the roles have changed.. anyway... too tired to go on.. I was at a photoshoot for a magazine ( Men's Health ) the other day and two girls approached me asking me out.. i was like "Do you know Isaac newton?", they were like "who cares, let's party sort of thing" , dumb sluts... I shoock my head and left