So lets compare Europe and the USA

[spinnis]

Well if you got 300 million applicants versus 9 million, you might get a higher quality product. Add to that, there are about 50 times more people willing to pay for the product and bang america does wicked tv.

japan does WICKED TV 

[spinnis]

That's what i meant...which country or countries had the first reality show...who is RESPONSIBLE for them

"Precedents for television that portrayed people in unscripted situations began in the 1940s. Debuting in 1948, Allen Funt's Candid Camera, (based on his previous 1947 radio show, Candid Microphone), broadcast unsuspecting ordinary people reacting to pranks. It has been called the "granddaddy of the reality TV genre.""

[Lundgren]

japan does WICKED TV 

And surprise surprise they got 160 million people.

[Crossbow]

When was the first reality show in Europe? I know that the longest running reality show in the US is COPS, then Real World.

Hard to say, I would guess there have been some sorts of reality shows on both sides of the pond since the late 40ies or early 50ies, but what I meant was that the really embarrassingly annoying concepts all come from the same producer in Holland (Endemol). They are the brains behind Big Brother, Human Cannonballs, Deal or No Deal, Extreme Makeover, Fear Factor, Survivor and many many more

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endemol

[Jadeveon Clowney]

As long as they don't show male adolescent lesser primates gagging themselves on "salty bananas," i'm all good with what's on tv.

[Parker]

Hard to say, I would guess there have been some sorts of reality shows on both sides of the pond since the late 40ies or early 50ies, but what I meant was that the really embarrassingly annoying concepts all come from the same producer in Holland (Endemol). They are the brains behind Big Brother, Human Cannonballs, Deal or No Deal, Extreme Makeover, Fear Factor, Survivor and many many more

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endemol

The US Big Brother sucks, it's like 1st grade... or middle school...of course nudity is not allowed and even snuggling is a "big deal', but most of the reality shows are annoying, distracting, and i feel like my brain goes numb after i watch any of it, especially Real Housewives of Atlanta

[Lundgren]

I have been around the World ten times. I have been traveling excessively for fifteen years for work. Also living in Asia, many countries in Europe, and the Caribbean. Anyone that says that living in America isn't the best doesn't know any better. I just came back from three weeks working in France. They are just as retarded there as in the US. Only they don't wear deodorant! And NYC is the capitol of the World no matter what anybody says.

Lol the patented France technique, how about mentioning germany, they got a strong economy, no one uses credit cards, people actually save money, strong industrial sector, more active as whole, plus they can get things done if you get my drift


Sure there are faults with germany, but that's not the point, there are 50 flavours of europe and just one of America, sure America may be a solid flavour, but the options in europe alone is what makes it better.

[Jadeveon Clowney]

Lol the patented France technique, how about mentioning germany, they got a strong economy, no one uses credit cards, people actually save money, strong industrial sector, more active as whole, plus they can get things done if you get my drift


Sure there are faults with germany, but that's not the point, there are 50 flavours of europe and just one of America, sure America may be a solid flavour, but the options in europe alone is what makes it better.

What do you think about things that have a salty flavor?

[lovemonkey]

Lol the patented France technique, how about mentioning germany, they got a strong economy, no one uses credit cards, people actually save money, strong industrial sector, more active as whole, plus they can get things done if you get my drift


Sure there are faults with germany, but that's not the point, there are 50 flavours of europe and just one of America, sure America may be a solid flavour, but the options in europe alone is what makes it better.

Well america has a lot of flavors too. Las Vegas is from another universe compared to say nortern Michigan or New York or the south etc etc. Even though it's technically one nation you'd struggle to find two states that are identical to each other.

[dr.chimps]

 

[Cleanest Natural]

Thank you Doug. Whenever I see those maps I just laugh in tears ... I have seen them so many times yet they still amuse me.

[Master Blaster]

japan does WICKED TV 

[#1 Klaus fan]

Yep, have you talked to any convicts or homeless people?
I deal with criminals on the daily, and to some going to jail or prison means, three hots and cot, and weights and they don't have to pay for any of it. Same thing for homeless people. Some will commit crimes during very cold spells to be arrested so that they can go to jail and have a hot meal and a bed to lay their head on. Then there are those who prefer to be homeless because they have no obligations, no bills, and no mortgage.

Now as was stated, these are some folks, but there are more of these types than you think.

Of course some people like the "harder" life style. But if there truly is more these kind of people in the US than elsewhere, what does it tell about your system? That people are too afraid to buy a house and much rather sleep under the open sky? No matter what, the stats aren't positive on your part.

[Doug_Steele]

Thank you Doug. Whenever I see those maps I just laugh in tears ... I have seen them so many times yet they still amuse me.

No problem.  Most people do see "Those Maps" like that. 

They way i see it, every state has it's great places to be and then some shit holes. Same goes for country's. I find it hilarious that everone see Detroit as a shit hole and then there are some parts of Detroit that are great.  I find Southern California to be the same way as Detroit. 

1. The south is humid.
2. The North/Midwest is too cold.
3. West is filled with Mexicans
4. Racism and STD'S run through the streets in the south,...etc It never stops.

[spinnis]

lol.

Thats not your average 57 yr old.

[Parker]

Of course some people like the "harder" life style. But if there truly is more these kind of people in the US than elsewhere, what does it tell about your system? That people are too afraid to buy a house and much rather sleep under the open sky? No matter what, the stats aren't positive on your part.

The answer is far above my pay grade. Due to the fact that there are a myriad of diff reasons and issues. You have the social issue, the judicial system, the economic and business side (building and staffing jails are a big business), and the mental issue. The fact that jails are supposedly "correctional facilities" and that they are not really correcting anything, and many times the people are worse when they come out or have no skills (due to taking classes, etc out---the prisoners using them to be better criminals), you have a convoluted situation. There are literally thousands of people who cannot be rehabilitated...they'd kill you and your kid like they were breathing. Because they don't care, a totally diff mentality.

As far as the homeless go, there was a homeless lady where I work, she is only there during the summer months, her daughter works in the same building. Her daugther tried to help her, but the lady refuses to take her meds for a mental disorder (another reason many are homeless), and there was a fight---so she got put out the house. Some people just flat refuse to go by the rules and others become down on their luck.

Another example, I knew of a woman who worked for the federal government, she lost her job and then got depressed, lost her house, but is too proud to ask for help...so she lives in a tent, and come tax time, she uses the local public library as her office and does people's taxes.

[pedro01]

I've lived UK, Knoxville, Tennessee, Copenhagen, Breda (Netherlands), Tokyo & Thailand.

I've spent probably a year in LA as I've been travelling there every multiple times per year for the past 13 years, sometimes for a month at a time. I've been to New Orleans, Dallas, Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta, Charlotte, San Diego, San Francisco - I think that covers it.

The US is not a single culture in my opinion. Knoxville, New Orleans and LA could be different countries. Drive from UK -> France -> Belgium -> Netherlands and you'll see the same kind of differences you see between US States.

The line 'greatest country in the world' I find odd. For sure, I didn't find the US and greater than say - living in Denmark or Netherlands.  I am not sure in which respects it is supposed to be so much better.

The stuff about freedom too, I find odd. I certainly had more freedoms in The Netherlands, although it is true that I couldn't carry a gun. Of course, the flip side of this is that the US police are very heavy-handed. I barely saw any police when I was in Copenhagen. I guess with the prevelance of firearms, the police in the US need to be 'tougher'. I can't imagine what it would take to be a cop in New Orleans or Compton. Still, I do remember quite vividly going to watch the freak show in West Hollywood one Halloween.  At about 1am, at one end of the street, a line of police cars formed and started moving down the street with the bullhorns announcing that anyone that didn't clear the streets right then would be arrested. It was very aggressive - as if they wanted to cause trouble and it totally changed the atmosphere from fun to fear.

Of course the US is more free than Iran but so is Spain. Being more free than Iran doesn't exactly make you stand out, does it?

So basically, I see few differences. Perhaps someone from the US side could define 'greatest' and 'free-est' country...

[Cleanest Natural]

I've lived UK, Knoxville, Tennessee, Copenhagen, Breda (Netherlands), Tokyo & Thailand.

I've spent probably a year in LA as I've been travelling there every multiple times per year for the past 13 years, sometimes for a month at a time. I've been to New Orleans, Dallas, Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta, Charlotte, San Diego, San Francisco - I think that covers it.

The US is not a single culture in my opinion. Knoxville, New Orleans and LA could be different countries. Drive from UK -> France -> Belgium -> Netherlands and you'll see the same kind of differences you see between US States.

The line 'greatest country in the world' I find odd. For sure, I didn't find the US and greater than say - living in Denmark or Netherlands.  I am not sure in which respects it is supposed to be so much better.

The stuff about freedom too, I find odd. I certainly had more freedoms in The Netherlands, although it is true that I couldn't carry a gun. Of course, the flip side of this is that the US police are very heavy-handed. I barely saw any police when I was in Copenhagen. I guess with the prevelance of firearms, the police in the US need to be 'tougher'. I can't imagine what it would take to be a cop in New Orleans or Compton. Still, I do remember quite vividly going to watch the freak show in West Hollywood one Halloween.  At about 1am, at one end of the street, a line of police cars formed and started moving down the street with the bullhorns announcing that anyone that didn't clear the streets right then would be arrested. It was very aggressive - as if they wanted to cause trouble and it totally changed the atmosphere from fun to fear.

Of course the US is more free than Iran but so is Spain. Being more free than Iran doesn't exactly make you stand out, does it?

So basically, I see few differences. Perhaps someone from the US side could define 'greatest' and 'free-est' country...

spot on

I agree that it is impossible to generalize

I lived in Romania, Us and Switzerland

[devilsmile]

I've lived UK, Knoxville, Tennessee, Copenhagen, Breda (Netherlands), Tokyo & Thailand.

I've spent probably a year in LA as I've been travelling there every multiple times per year for the past 13 years, sometimes for a month at a time. I've been to New Orleans, Dallas, Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta, Charlotte, San Diego, San Francisco - I think that covers it.

The US is not a single culture in my opinion. Knoxville, New Orleans and LA could be different countries. Drive from UK -> France -> Belgium -> Netherlands and you'll see the same kind of differences you see between US States.

The line 'greatest country in the world' I find odd. For sure, I didn't find the US and greater than say - living in Denmark or Netherlands.  I am not sure in which respects it is supposed to be so much better.

The stuff about freedom too, I find odd. I certainly had more freedoms in The Netherlands, although it is true that I couldn't carry a gun. Of course, the flip side of this is that the US police are very heavy-handed. I barely saw any police when I was in Copenhagen. I guess with the prevelance of firearms, the police in the US need to be 'tougher'. I can't imagine what it would take to be a cop in New Orleans or Compton. Still, I do remember quite vividly going to watch the freak show in West Hollywood one Halloween.  At about 1am, at one end of the street, a line of police cars formed and started moving down the street with the bullhorns announcing that anyone that didn't clear the streets right then would be arrested. It was very aggressive - as if they wanted to cause trouble and it totally changed the atmosphere from fun to fear.
Of course the US is more free than Iran but so is Spain. Being more free than Iran doesn't exactly make you stand out, does it?
So basically, I see few differences. Perhaps someone from the US side could define 'greatest' and 'free-est' country...

key points of this post;

Of course the US is more free than Iran but so is Spain. Being more free than Iran doesn't exactly make you stand out, does it

QFT!

[dj181]

An Italian friend of mine visited da U S of A for the 1st time a few years ago, and he said to me "The States is a fucking police state" lol

[Meso_z]

Europe > America.

Seriously...how many years of "history" does america have? We (europeans) found your sorry-ass hanging from trees and eating bananas and brought you to civillization. thats a fact.  

[devilsmile]

Europe > America.

Seriously...how many years of "history" does america have? We (europeans) found your sorry-ass hanging from trees and eating bananas and brought you to civillization. thats a fact.  

dUde.. the "yeah but who helped you in ww2"- people are going to jump on your post 

[Meso_z]

dUde.. the "yeah but who helped you in ww2"- people are going to jump on your post 

Yes, its a possibility...if i have truly hurt their feelings. 

[devilsmile]

Yes, its a possibility...if i have truly hurt their feelings.  

the classic "if you response, it means I'm in your head" defence then, ey  

[Roger Bacon]

Europe > America.

Seriously...how many years of "history" does america have? We (europeans) found your sorry-ass hanging from trees and eating bananas and brought you to civillization. thats a fact.  

Our history is European history numnuts, we took European civilization and mastered it.