Ya think?

The next chain-teaching syllabus replete w/EXORD and DVDs for the local command channel.

Maybe I should have stuck with the first version of the post in which I made my point by a reference to the House of Arteus.


Many Americans point to the 'good old days' of their youths and how their experiences as adolescents shaped their personalities and imbued them with traits that would serve them well in adulthood. These comments serve as launching points for comments about the perceived flaws of subsequent generations and how those flaws impact American institutions today.

To be clear, this post and my previous one are in reply to this sensibility, not to how the American Army should train, lead, and discipline its soldiers.

An autobiographical approach to the past is beneficial to the study of American history. It often reveals more reasons to appreciate and to respect people and to admire their accomplishments. However, such an approach to the past is risky. It often does not account for how other cohorts had to grapple with significantly different everyday experiences.*

That is, many youths in post World War II America benefited from established rules of the game that protected them from having to compete against all comers. Consequently, many did not need to be told they were special or valued above others because the dynamics of power protected their status politically, economically, socially, and culturally.

Yes, one can attempt to explain away the existence of such rules as a constant feature of human existence. But how does one then square such an argument with the concept of American Exceptionalism?

__________________________________________________ ___
* An open challenge to all interested parties. The next time you're in a decent library, spend a few hours skimming the biographies, autobiographies, memoirs, and histories of Americans who came of age at the same time as you or your parents did but pick subjects who lived in a different part of town, worshiped God differently, or had a different ethnic/racial background. At times, you may wonder if you're reading about the same America.

So sigaba, in the nature-nurture-choice continuum, you argue that nurture overrides the other two? I did not grow up in the US. Through trial and error, hard-learned lessons, and grace/mercy/guidance of many, I managed to adopt the values embodied in the first few posts by the QP. Our past may shape us, but one still has the option/choice to change....for the better.

Still, I'm impressed by your latest post. I think I'll join you and stare up close at the trees :D

American Exceptionalism.
Those of us living in this nation, at this point in time, live in a state of blessing unknown to most who have ever walked the face of the earth.

How we received such blessing isn't what matters.
What we do with the blessing is what matters.

If people are not allowed to bestow the fruits of their efforts on whomever they choose, they likely will not labor to create abundance.
I suspect that freedom is key to the riddle.

Some people get a head start in life.
So what?

Just because some people have it better doesn't mean others have it worse.
The least blessed among us still have it better than most who have walked the face of the earth.

How exactly does American Exceptionalism work?
Just like Star Trek's Heisenberg Compensators: very well, thank you.
:D