USA vs. China- In the wake of the cold war, the economies of the U.S. and China have emerged as two of the largest and most influential variables on the world stage. A flux in either can result in inconceivably far flung ramifications. Recent years have seen a widening disparity in these two forces, not in the present state of the individual for either nation, but the general trend each economy is following. Whereas the United States has long been secure in having the world’s highest G.D.P, (approximately 15 trillion to China’s 7 trillion) our nation has come to the collective realization that there are other factors at play which skew our sense of superiority. The growth rate of China’s G.D.P has outweighed that of America for twelve years running, and China’s national debt accounts for less than 20% of its G.D.P, while America’s makes up over 50%. China’s manpower is objectively superior to America’s in both number and scores on standardized intelligence tests. Fear that their children are receiving an inferior education ranks among the topmost complaints of adults 30-55 as conducted by Time Magazine. In fact, the most recent analysis ranked U.S. schoolchildren 17th overall. Much has been made of America’s decreased credit rating on the world stage as well, as this is another tangible sign of our nation’s distress. It is interesting to note that America on the whole sees China as a competitor rather than an ally in the global economy. This stems from a deep seeded conviction that America has the right to use its wealth to dictate events far beyond its juristiction, a belief that was cultivated in our success in world war dos and the staunch nationalism encouraged by the cold war. However, although our defense budget exceeds that of China by several billion, the U.S. is no longer the world authority it once was. What has ensued is an identity crisis of sorts, the tremors of which can be felt all across America. As our debt increases and unemployment increases, China’s ‘state-run capitalism’ continues to make up ground on us. Herein lies another basic American fear- that the lassiez faire economy idealized by our forefathers may perish now that it is pitted against a much less humane, yet infinitely more efficient rival.
Poor People- For decades, American culture has idealized, or at the least condoned, those who work their way to the top of the civilian economy by means nefarious or otherwise. During times of prosperity the majority of the nation was willing to entrust their hard earned money to bankers and investors, as it was in their best interest to keep their customers happy by making more money. The economy was practically down to a science, there was even a formula which could predict with alarming accuracy any minor changes. Unfortunately, this equation had several variables which became its fatal flaws. For instance, the housing market (which is now in shambles) was an assumed constant. When the predictability of the profession vanished, America in general was kept out of the loop for long enough for a minor disaster to become a full scale economic downturn. Those at the top were affected in a statistically proportionate manner to everyone else, but their troubles did not bring them below the poverty line or force them to stare down the prospect of unemployment. The already widening gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ became an issue of major contention among several fringe groups, and ultimately gained a foothold in many political races. From this point on out it has appeared in every campaign for any level of office in the country. It is the most divisive and identifiable issue between the two major political parties and has shaped our culture to the point that many took to the streets to participate in 99% rallies in the past year. Aside from drawing America’s attention to the obvious damage inflicted on our people and capitol, the new air of distrust surrounding the extremely wealthy has helped expose many shocking acts of corporate greed. It has also served to illuminate the business practices the general population finds acceptable, thus providing what may one day be the template for responsible but free business methods in America.
The Internet- Electronics (especially anything internet capable) are changing the way that human beings operate. People in developed countries have all felt the impact of more time spent with electronic devices- obvious side effects such as weight gain and augmented social skills aside, electronics are literally rewiring the human brain. The availability of obscure facts and formulas in search engines has made the ability to retain trivial information all but obsolete. Even the simple notion that a sentence is being recorded by a computer made participants in one study more than 50% less likely to recall the given information. The stress which accompanies being within reach of one’s job, friends and family 24/7 has decreased the brain’s capacity for relaxation and changed the way human beings sleep. For better or for worse, every member of the current generation is going to think and act in a way profoundly and, for the moment, unpredictably different from its predecessors.
