Is the World anti- English / Anti - British?
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Is the World anti- English / Anti - British?After our usual Eurovision debacle, and our disastrous bid to hold a world cup a couple of years ago, is Europe and the wider world against us?
The likes of Philip Schofield are wanting us to leave Eurovision as we have no chance of winning it, i doubt i will ever see England host another major footballing event whilst the likes of FIFA and UEFA are ruling the game, i just thought i would throw this question out there, and see what other peoples thoughts are? -
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Re: Is the World anti- English / Anti - British?London wouldn't have got the 2012 Olympics if the world was anti-British, and if you're basing it on Eurovision, the world must be even more anti-norwegian, since they have had worse Eurovision results over the years.
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Re: Is the World anti- English / Anti - British?This.(Original post by daviddd!1994)
I think a lot of this apparent hatred orginates from our relationship with America rather than Britain as a country.
However, a lot of the "hatred" transcends into envy. People from far afield envy us because of how fair our country actually is. Whilst we sit on this island and moan about everything it has to offer, other nationalities look at us as the pinnacle of freedom. We should be honoured that they envy us and do our upmost best to help them become a nation like ours: free, democratic and rife with opportunity. -
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Re: Is the World anti- English / Anti - British?I'm guessing a lot must stem from the amount of English villains in films, American films. I'm guessing the world still thinks that we invented slavery, or white people did.
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Re: Is the World anti- English / Anti - British?Urgh, we had such a poor result in Eurovision because we constantly put forward rejects or has-beens, whereas other countries field their big guns. If it's anti-British to be anti-mediocrity then put me on trial for treason now
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Re: Is the World anti- English / Anti - British?The world is anti-western. We exported civilisation and colonised places ruining their indigenuous culture, telling them whats right when actually it was wrong for their situations. The western world prevents many countries from growing as If they allowed it they would become powerful in merely 20 years as they would be starting from scratch, not having to keep botch-jobbing everything up (Our rain-networks, benifit system, economy EVERYTHING). Example - China and Japans economics are growing at an alarming rate, and have advanced technology, and this all happened from around the 80's. Its all about power and politics.
I dont think Europe neccessarily hate us but we dont really have much to do with them as such. We try all too hard to befriend America which on a whole is like the JOCK of the world, its a bad move (reputatation wise, if you want the Eastern world to like you). Of course alot goes on behind the scenes with Europe, but our connection with Europe is definately disappearing which is a shame as Europe is a wonderful place. -
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Re: Is the World anti- English / Anti - British?The examples you've given of Eurovision and football aren't because of anti-English or anti-British feeling, no.
Say what you want about Eurovision, but the World Cup decision was undoubtedly political. FIFA and co are all about money at the end of the day. While FIFA are corrupt, these decisions aren't necessarily down to corruption. The FIFA heads are kept in power by the National FAs, who will basically vote for whoever gives them money or gets someone else to give them it. Subsequently, FIFA always want more money, which they get through sponsors, so they'll give the World Cup to places which are likely to earn them more. Germany got it because of their economic prosperity, South Africa and Brazil are emerging economies, and Russia and Qatar are fairly obvious choices given their corruption levels and the wealth of business there (plus the added bonus of South Africa and Qatar having to build a shedload of new stadia which definitely gets the construction industry on FIFA's side). -
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Re: Is the World anti- English / Anti - British?If you are equating a bad eurovision result as the result of anti Britishness in Europe then why is Adele (amongst many others) ruling the charts all over Europe? Our films, music and general culture is consumed across the world, only second to the US. For such a small country, that is something to be proud of. We punch well above our weight politically, economically and culturally. I'd say we are probably the most relevant country behind the US and China due to our heritage and culture (English language, common law, parliamentary democracy etc.)
Bring on the Olympics so we can remind the world that we were the best before America made a cheap imitation! -
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Re: Is the World anti- English / Anti - British?Britain is hardly the pinnacle of freedom. The state can detain people without charge, the DNA of innocent can be held on government databases, personal data is shared between public bodies, CCTV follows you everywhere. These are just a few examples.(Original post by Blackburn_Allen)
This.
However, a lot of the "hatred" transcends into envy. People from far afield envy us because of how fair our country actually is. Whilst we sit on this island and moan about everything it has to offer, other nationalities look at us as the pinnacle of freedom. We should be honoured that they envy us and do our upmost best to help them become a nation like ours: free, democratic and rife with opportunity.
Go to the centre of town with a megaphone and speak your mind and you'll have the police arresting you for public disorder or try smoking weed in the street and you'll be arrested. Britain is hardly the pinnacle of freedom especially today, we're probably living under one of the most authoritarian ages in recent times. -
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Re: Is the World anti- English / Anti - British?Come on, really? Whilst your anarchistic views may define "freedom" for you, I, for one, wouldn't relish living in a nation where crazed people can freely spew their vile in the middle of town whilst I'm trying to peacefully shop, or for marijuana to be smoked around me whilst I take my nephew to the park. In Britain you have a freedom that people in other nations would, and are, giving their lives for. You are free to put your opinion across in a controlled and civilised way, no matter how insane it is, for example, Galloway.(Original post by g_star_raw_1989)
Britain is hardly the pinnacle of freedom. The state can detain people without charge, the DNA of innocent can be held on government databases, personal data is shared between public bodies, CCTV follows you everywhere. These are just a few examples.
Go to the centre of town with a megaphone and speak your mind and you'll have the police arresting you for public disorder or try smoking weed in the street and you'll be arrested. Britain is hardly the pinnacle of freedom especially today, we're probably living under one of the most authoritarian ages in recent times.
We really are not living in an authoritarian age whatsoever. -
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Re: Is the World anti- English / Anti - British?Who said anything about crazed people spewing vile? I just said going to town and speaking your mind. For instance, look at people who were airing their grievances at the G20 protests and were met with excessive violence from the police.(Original post by Blackburn_Allen)
Come on, really? Whilst your anarchistic views may define "freedom" for you, I, for one, wouldn't relish living in a nation where crazed people can freely spew their vile in the middle of town whilst I'm trying to peacefully shop, or for marijuana to be smoked around me whilst I take my nephew to the park. In Britain you have a freedom that people in other nations would, and are, giving their lives for. You are free to put your opinion across in a controlled and civilised way, no matter how insane it is, for example, Galloway.
We really are not living in an authoritarian age whatsoever.
You would be okay to take your nephew to the park where alcohol could be consumed freely though? Also, compared to many countries, we do have a lot of freedoms but are hardly the 'pinnacle of freedom'. Britain is probably the most spied- upon country in West.
We do live in in the most authoritarian age compared to past generations. You also dodged the issues of CCTV, taking DNA, detention of innocent people, sharing of information... -
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Re: Is the World anti- English / Anti - British?Can't believe you still frequent this forum old boy.(Original post by tkane)
If you are equating a bad eurovision result as the result of anti Britishness in Europe then why is Adele (amongst many others) ruling the charts all over Europe? Our films, music and general culture is consumed across the world, only second to the US. For such a small country, that is something to be proud of. We punch well above our weight politically, economically and culturally. I'd say we are probably the most relevant country behind the US and China due to our heritage and culture (English language, common law, parliamentary democracy etc.)
Bring on the Olympics so we can remind the world that we were the best before America made a cheap imitation!
