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Comment by girvo | Hacker News Reader

Seriously? I agree with the OP. And I've spent quite a bit of time in Singapore when I was younger.

See, you have your own experience to rely on, but I know very little about Singapore. I read through those few morsels of, uh, peculiar observations, and was left with the feeling that it was perhaps relevant to the author's family and friends, but it didn't leave me feeling like he made a good case for his point of view. I think the article says more about the author than about Singapore, and I'm not particularly interested in the author.

Oh look, he's peddling some self-improvement story, what a surprise. And he's an SEO guy, that explains the writing style at least.

In fact, some of the comments are better than the article. Shorter, too.

I found it incredibly stupid.

Never return to Singapore because every day students declare pride in their country ? Great. Better not spend any time in the US, UK, Australia or countless other countries. Or do people think kids are just born with an understanding of the flag, anthem etc.

And citizens are forced to spend time in the military. Okay that is a bit much but hardly unprecedented. And personally I find the military propaganda in the US far more insidious.

As for average quality of life. Well that is obviously debatable:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality-of-life_Index

Exactly what are you thinking of when you refer to "the military propaganda in the US"? I've never had the impression that the military was held in particularly high regard; serving in the military is the sort of thing you might be ashamed to admit that your children do. Or look at how college students object to even allowing recruiters onto the campus.

Obviously, attitudes differ place-to-place. But I found your phrase somewhat bemusing.

Perhaps it's harder to see looking from the inside, but most other cultures are MUCH less Military obsessed than the US just about any way you measure it...

I'm willing to believe this. I was serious when I asked "what are you thinking of?" I'd like some examples.

I wish I had some real data to give you as examples, without talking about Top Gun, the military-industrial complex or reducing the conversation to personal anecdotes about my experiences in the US.

As you said attitudes differ place-to-place, and I don't want to generalize all Americans, I would say it's safe to assume our Hacker News audience is more likely to be Liberal and Educated then the general American populace. However as a Canadian here's some crap I came up with out my ass:

Military force as a perceived requirement or definition of 'freedom' doesn't exist at your scale elsewhere.

Glorification of war and gun violence in Hollywood, Gaming and on the News, general fear-mongering and militarization of the police.

You guys have been involved in some war or another for about as long as you've been a country..

-- Hope I didn't offend anyone, here's at least one link as support..

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

> I've never had the impression that the military was held in particularly high regard; serving in the military is the sort of thing you might be ashamed to admit that your children do.

In areas where Republicans win elections (roughly non-urban America), military "service" is very often held in quite high regard. Sure, it's not like being a doctor, but I don't think parents are often ashamed of it. Parents, siblings, and grandparents are often quite proud that their family member is in the Marines, for example. People wear t-shirts advertising their current or past involvement. At American Football games they often have active duty military stand up and people clap for them.

As for some examples of military propaganda, here are some that come to mind (note I'm not the OP):

- July 4 and other holidays where the military participates prominently in parades.

- military jets flying over head of a sporting event or a parade, or an air show.

- school field trips to military bases or military museums.

- military bands performing concerts

- mentions to "brave men and women in uniform" in political speeches everywhere

- "support our troops," "my son's a Marine" signs/bumper stickers

- Hollywood videos that glorify the US military and lease military equipment/personnel

- Video games where the US military or US military weapons feature prominently. The US Army famously sponsored a very expensive game a decade ago.

- tons of advertisements on Channel One news, perhaps a couple a day, a TV station that almost all high school students were required to watch during the 90s (I don't know about now)

> Never return to Singapore because every day students declare pride in their country ? Great. Better not spend any time in the US, UK, Australia or countless other countries.

In Australia and the UK students definitely don't do this. In the UK 'patriotism' is generally seen as a pursuit of the ignorant and poor (eg, EDL, flag burning in Northern Ireland) and in Australia, while it's become more common, the same association exists (http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/society-and-culture/w...).

BTW this data is from 2005.

I would be surprised to see Ireland/Italy/Spain etc... placed so high, post-crisis.

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