EU is great for increasing awarness of history and other countries!

[Daveracher]

Originally posted by Ami Hund:
[Of course, we can all have our opinions and discuss them. Off-Topic insults are another matter. They happen far too often. Personally, I think a pro-everyone forum would be a great thing. If any one really
wants to discuss this, take it to the off-topic board. Pom. Prince, wouldn't you agree that a making E.U. a hit in the U.S. would assist in educating Americans in European history? A board without these pointless flame wars would benifit E.U. much more than
giving every one the freedom to insult.


[/B]

You think this forum is a haven for flame wars? I think you and a lot other people here need to develop a thicker skin before getting on the net.

I can only think of one or two genuine instances of trolling on this board. The rest are people making stupid comments that they probably regretted as soon as they hit the send button.

Just my opinion, whatever thats worth

David Racher
-- Still waiting patiently for EU and WWIIOnline...

 

[Rio]

Originally posted by Sapura:
Peter,

Nevertheless, if you don't KNOW SOMETHING concrete about a country (or anything else for that matter, a person, a religion, whatever it might be), DONT SAY ANYTHING AT ALL.

It's like that saying 'when you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all'

...

Sapura

Folk, we call this 'Thumper's Rule' on a little 100 Years War online site called HYW. We have to understand the limitations of the written word which do not provide the nuances of body language and voice tone let alone facial expressions which save us so much time, stress and misunderstanding in face to face discussions. Certainly we have enough trouble from unintentional misunderstandings without laying the ground for intentional ones!



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Rio ~/|~

 

[unmerged(158)]

I think the topic of this discussion is about the educational effect of EU. I will give a nice example. Last week at school when they were talking about dinos my son was the only one who knew were Yukatan is. He learned it from EU. Thank you Paradox.

 

[Rio]

PB,

I agree and appreciated your information. You can bet I'll be fighting my son for computer time when these 427 hours have slipped away and the game is available! A shame he will learn something!

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Rio ~/|~

 

[Carlos Duarte]

I say let's either resume the idea behind this thread or close it... if anyone wants to discuss school systems, open a topic in the OT forum...

Thanks

Carlos

 

[Kedryn]

Though I (like to) think I know about European history and geography than the average American, the main reason I am looking forward to this game is so that I may learn more... and I admit that most of what I know of history is from games I have played (and the interest in history they have caused).

 

[unmerged(826)]

The American education system, whether public or private, certainly has its share of problems. Funding, violence, and a lack of parental involvement are the main problems. I am a part-time teacher, and I think about this every single day.

It is my contention that, within reason, it is the individual, and their internal motivation, that determines their level of achievement.

I work with a spoiled little girl, extremely bright, who went to the very best private schools. She has little work ethic, and the quality of her work shows this.

Another one of our meteorologists has a public education, and frankly is a little slow to pick up on some things...but....he works hard every day, and I have promoted him twice. I have also given him 15% raises the last two years.

My daughter is in a public university right this minute. She just turned twenty a couple of weeks ago. She can graduate this spring if she chooses to. To graduate with an excellent degree, at age twenty. I am very proud of her, and of how hard she works.

I have a point here.

Fault the way the family grouping has weakened in the United States.

Fault the social welfare system that requires the father NOT be in the home to qualify for public aid...(BIG MISTAKE)

Fault the communities which are unwilling to fund the public school system adequately.

As a member of the United States Air Force for more than twenty years, I have traveled very widely, across Europe and Asia. I have also spoken to others about other countries, in an effort to see favorable duty locations.

I am pleased to say that Europe was seen to be a good place to live for Americans. I lived in Spain (Torrejon), Aviano Italy, RAF Woodbridge, UK, and three times in Germany.

Almost without exception, I was treated very well. I suppose it didn't hurt that I was an officer, not enlisted, because class distinctions DO seem to matter within many European countries. One exception, however:

Back in 1977, while living in England, I wished to join an English golf club near Aldringham, in East Anglia. It did not matter that I am an accomplished golfer, likely better than 90%+ of the members of the club...what DID matter was my military rank, and did I have a 'sponsor.' Of course I did not....so was unable to join. Period. That offended me greatly, and would be illegal in the US. But after thinking upon it, I realized that that was simply the way things were, and I wasn't going to change the way English society was constructed.

This is my point....in the US, it is the individual's effort and desire to excel which will determine his lot and station in life. Within our culture are Horatio Alger stories, these 'rags-to riches' stories which are a part of our heritage.

European History is a hobby of mine, and I consider myself to be knowledgeable. That most Americans do not share my interests doesn't concern me. But do not condemn the educational system of the US because they do not teach who was King of England after George III.

Name President Lincoln's (our greatest President) birthplace? What was the Marshall Plan? Surely Europeans know of this? This is fundamentally how Europe got put back together after the last World War. I could go on about how much of a shame it is that Europeans do not know much about US history.

It's a matter of perspective, isn't it?

dsvitak

 

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dsvitak
Europeans are taught US history and Geography. A sweeping generalization I know, but I learnt it in England, and friends of mine from other European countries, who don't share my passion for history are also very knowledgeable about US history.

It depends on the period of history you learn, but any 7th grade and up European who has learned modern history will know of the Marshall Plan.

Likewise, early modern history will include French and Indian War (more commonly studied as the American Front of the 7 Years War) and the Revolutionary war.

Late medieval/age of exploration will know details about the exploration and settlement in America.

I know that my 8th grade nephew had no idea who the Marquis de Lafayette was until I taught him. Likewise Vespucchi, Hudson, Cabot, Patton, McArthur and Pershing were also unknown.

Perhaps, rather than lashing out at parents, teachers should mark the homework they set and not require parents to do so.

Further, may I recommend that instead of multiple choice, and one sentence answers, that teachers set and mark essay questions at early grades. The practice of constructing arguements and setting out a logical flow of ideas appears abscent before the age of 14.

Parents are not solely responsible for the education of their children. That's why they pay such high taxes, and school fees, so that trained professionals will actualy teach. From what I've seen here the standard and dedication of the teaching profession is far lower than my own schooling.

 

[Carlos Duarte]

I'll open an OT thread on this... please post there...

Thanks,

Carlos

 

[unmerged(853)]

So Poland is good for the lady's,As far as I can remember Stockholm is fairly good too, but for cheep beer, good looking gal's I hear Prague is a good place to go, but I will try and fit in Poland sometime soon.
Sorry for the late reply, only joined recently and I am catching up with the forums

Originally posted by DubCat:
You can tell your girlfriends mom that Poland is a place with great beer, nice people, and above all GORGEOUS WOMEN. And I'm from Sweden, mind you! I'm spoiled!

I agree that it is fun that people are debating so much!

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Sean
Capre Diem.

 

[unmerged(72)]

Heh...
Speaking about education. Pommerania Prince, who told us a lot about his knowledge in history and geography wrote in this topic something like '... I don't ask these Americans about Canadian, Brazilian, Australian or Russian states, I asked them about the nations who 10 times elder then their own...'

Pommerania, looks like you know nothing about Russia which adopted Christianity earlier than Scandinavian countries. Despite of all invesions and wars it is easy to visit churches in Russian which were built 900 years ago.

And YOU put Russia in a row with Canada, Australia and Brazil !!!???

What are you after that?

Regards,
Nick

 

[unmerged(334)]

Originally posted by ilroi:
[/B]Heh...
Speaking about education. Pommerania Prince, who told us a lot about his knowledge in history and geography wrote in this topic something like '... I don't ask these Americans about Canadian, Brazilian, Australian or Russian states, I asked them about the nations who 10 times elder then their own...'

Pommerania, looks like you know nothing about Russia which adopted Christianity earlier than Scandinavian countries. Despite of all invesions and wars it is easy to visit churches in Russian which were built 900 years ago.

And YOU put Russia in a row with Canada, Australia and Brazil !!!???

What are you after that?

Regards,
Nick[/B]

OK, you will have to explain to me what do you mean by this statement. I said that ' I don't ask Americans about Russian, Canadian, Brazilian states' ( by states I mean geographic provinces) and you say I don't know history of Russia, I don't understand. I am Polish, so that maybe a problem. I don't see relation between my geographical statement with my knowledge of Russian history.

And I do know Russian History. Communist government did not allowed us( polaks) to forget Russian history. Yes Kiev Russia was Orthodox before Scandinavian countries, thanks to its contacts with Byzantine Empire. Few years before Poland too. So if you can clarify your statement I will be very grateful

 

[Barthold De Mortaigne]

Go Prince!
I understood what you ment, as I´m sure most people did. I posted a similar statement in an earlier post, the difference between independent countries and states(provinces) that is. But it seems to be a bit difficult for our American friends to grasp that concept...

 

[unmerged(72)]

OK, I see this really need a clarification.
Some people got it, some not.....
The key word this is ' ... nations, or states, which are 10 times elder...' Your sentence sounds like there are some very old European states/nations/countries that really 10 times elder than Americans and those 'stupid Amricans' surely, should know their predecessores: 'old Europeans with all their heritage, culture, etc. etc.' On the contrary there are some newly emerged nations somewhere on the planet Earth such as Canadians, Brazilians, Australians, and Russians, and Pommerania Prince does not even ask about these young nations, because average American makes no difference between Brazilian states, Australian states/provinces and, of course Russian states/provinces. All those weird new lands are the same for American.

Probably, I don't really meant it, but the result is like that. Because you put in a line Canadian, Brazilian, Australian and .... Russian provinces.
You, probably, can notice that first three countries were opened (let us say 'reopened' by Europeans and after that populated by them, relatively, recently (in comparison with European and, yes, Russian history) and not without some 'quarreling' with natives.
It is also easy to notice that Russia is 'a little bit different'. For exclusevely intelligent folks I explain - NOT SIMILAR TO CANADA, AUSTRALIA, and BRAZIL. Nothing politically incorrect. I am speaking only about national history, the origins of the country and simply the age of the nation. Canadians,Australians and Brazilians - young nations. They don't have they own languages etc. etc. All above mentioned is obvious.
All what I mean - that Russia belongs to the countries that '10 times elder' than Americans and Russians really were participated in colonization of America (Alaska, Hawaii, Fort Ross in California...)
So, to my mind it was very weird idea to treat all those 4 countries you have mentioned as something completely identical, opposing them to 'really old European nations'.
As we all know American nation were created, and is still creating an the same way as Canadian nation, Australian, Brazilian.... but not Russian, so it might be a good idea to compare Americans with Australians, but not with Russians, Greeks or Turks.
That's it. Nothing personal. Despite you are Polish

Regards,
Nick

 

[unmerged(334)]

Ok now I understand. You are correct 100% to say that. It was may big mistake. I am sorry. Now I really feel stupid. At the time when I was mentioning all those countries I had geographical states on my mind. I am not sure why I said they are older. I know that most of them were colonized at the same time as US. EXCEPT RUSSIA, Almost did it again. By older I had in my mind Europe and that includes Russia as well.... Sorry that was big mistake.

 

[unmerged(867)]

All I can say is : Historia est magistra vitae.

 

[unmerged(72)]

Prince,
You are a MAN and gentleman. I did not intend to uncult you, too. If I did - ready to apologize. By the way, I have to upset 'captain Barthold etc..' I am not American, I am Russian and my brains are doing well - I am research scientist and Ph.D. in one of the best research instituites in the US. We are similar with Pommerania Prince from this point of view: were born in our native countries, immigrated to the US and live here, but remember our heritage and culture.
Once more - my regards, Prince.

Nick

 

[unmerged(334)]

cool