Google is only part of the nausea, but not the smallest. "Move fast, break things" is pretty nauseating, too.
Being shocked at the overshoot of security-state data mining gets great points amongst the pious, but pales compared to the amount of information/power that privately-run not-democratically-elected Google holds...and uses. This doesn't scare the bejeesus out of you? You must work for a tech startup.
Add the secret gardens that Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, ad nauseum are all trying to create for their own benefit, not yours, increases the nausea. This is not the internet I was involved with, all starry-eyed, back in the early 90's.
Seen from here in Europe, the Big & American Or Something argument is pretty compelling. Look at how nauseating the internet has become in the last few years. And who do we blame for that? The Russians?
Anyone who thinks the US tech industry is the greatest positive influence on human culture since Isaac Newton or Lao-Tsu is rooting for the wrong team.
I can only sigh. I have so been looking forward to looking out my window, seeing a clear blue sky dotted with drones doing all sorts of innovative things designed to make my life better. Now it looks like I'll have to move to India if I want to realize my dream.
As a US expat living in Europe, I'd like to affirm categorically that when you've lived without "American culture" for a few years, and then you are re-exposed to it, whether advertantly or inadvertantly, you realize who noisy (gunshots anyone?) and divisive it is, has always been. And/Or how easy it is for parts of the brain to rot away without it ever being noticed.
Only USians who don't get out very much would find other countries imposing a culture tax as cruel or unusual punishment.
My guidebook warns about roadside banditry in the US of A, but points out that the bandits are required by law to wear uniforms. I find this incredibly civilized.
I see no mention anywhere however about whether the uniformed highwaymen are interested in euro banknotes, which might be a gamesaver on my next trip.
I have heard from private sources that Europe has demanded the US adopt the metric system as part of overall TTIP accord conditions, claiming (reasonably, as far as I can see) that harmonisation at many levels really requires such a step. The US, of course, gritting its teeth and pounding the desk, refuses to even consider that. Europeans take this reaction as a show of how little respect they get from the superpower
In France there are very few bookstores that can set up a double-dutch accounting entity with an Irish SA sandwich pointing to a Turk and Caicos holding company (or however Amazon does it), thereby paying no taxes into the economy that they're attempting to creatively disrupt. So how would you change the business model of a neighborhood bookstore in France to adapt, mon ami?
Maybe, France doesn't really want the lifestyle that US tech companies are graciously offering us, even if iphones and social networks are hard to resist. I get the impression that there are too many hardcore libertarians here, many with a perpetual techie hardon, and most with little idea of what people dream about outside the US or UK.
I need clarity here. Is Uber another one of those multi-billion California startups that don't pay taxes anywhere and have made their founders rich from the 'sharing' economy? Or not?
Yeah great document, the US Constitution, but let's face it, in contemporary USA it's become a sort of diaper for the otherwise morally and ethically incontinent. Using it to debate and analyze, then justify the treating of non-US citizens like shit, is worse than idiotic behavior, and if nothing changes, isn't so far from being despicable.
So let's stop using the Constitution as a crutch. Look in the mirror, folks, have a meaningful conversation with yourselves.
I left the US for Europe 20 years ago. At that time I was pissed and disappointed by America's big heavy boots, stomping and dissing any non-american entity that crossed its radar. But somehow, in the same tone as some of the posters here, I was a little bit proud to be American.
Now, forget it. The US is seen as the Axis of Evil in much of the (rest of the) world that I love to visit. I can't disagree. I'm ashamed.
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Re: Re: Big & American Or Something
Being shocked at the overshoot of security-state data mining gets great points amongst the pious, but pales compared to the amount of information/power that privately-run not-democratically-elected Google holds...and uses. This doesn't scare the bejeesus out of you? You must work for a tech startup.
Add the secret gardens that Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, ad nauseum are all trying to create for their own benefit, not yours, increases the nausea. This is not the internet I was involved with, all starry-eyed, back in the early 90's.
Big & American Or Something
Anyone who thinks the US tech industry is the greatest positive influence on human culture since Isaac Newton or Lao-Tsu is rooting for the wrong team.
(untitled comment)
(untitled comment)
Only USians who don't get out very much would find other countries imposing a culture tax as cruel or unusual punishment.
But at least...
I see no mention anywhere however about whether the uniformed highwaymen are interested in euro banknotes, which might be a gamesaver on my next trip.
and one more thing...
And so on and so on.
Re: Re: Efficiency isn't always the most valuable thing in the world
Maybe, France doesn't really want the lifestyle that US tech companies are graciously offering us, even if iphones and social networks are hard to resist. I get the impression that there are too many hardcore libertarians here, many with a perpetual techie hardon, and most with little idea of what people dream about outside the US or UK.
This discussion is not enlightening.
Uber in Europe
What's the Constitution got to do with it?
So let's stop using the Constitution as a crutch. Look in the mirror, folks, have a meaningful conversation with yourselves.
Sheesh!
Sigh
Now, forget it. The US is seen as the Axis of Evil in much of the (rest of the) world that I love to visit. I can't disagree. I'm ashamed.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by textibule.
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