[sien]

As someone who has lived in the US, AU & the EU in a few places I'd have to say this article is great. It's something you wind up doing if you live in other places.

America is #1 in quite a few things, such as software, just try naming non-US software companies that matter, it's an interesting exercise. Also the US highway system is excellent, the US's culture of entrepreneurship is also awesome. The best US colleges are the best in the world. US computer games, TV shows (Breaking Bad/Mad Men/Louie/The Sopranos etc) and other things are great from the US.

But in many things the rest of the rest world laughs at the US. US High School education, for instance, is not well regarded. The US health care system is regarded as scary and pretty poor.

There are even other countries that are really good at seeing things overseas and copying. Australia, for instance, got a points based immigration system from Canada, Universal Saving for retirement from Singapore and looked around the world for ways to reform the Australian Reserve Bank.

[w1ntermute]

> US High School education, for instance, is not well regarded.

I think this is a bit disingenuous. I would say that the US high school system is not equitable. It works just fine for the upper middle class on up. It's the lower class that gets screwed over by the way things are set up.

[chrischen]

Yes just try comparing Detroit public schools with that of the suburbs and you'll realize no one can make general statements about how crappy US schools are.

[rickmb]

You both realize you're only emphasizing one of the main reasons why the US educations system isn't well regarded?

[ams6110]

Everything is local.

[hnhg]

Interesting the point you made about US TV shows - it's very subjective but I'll say honestly I can't stand them. I'm from the UK and think it's something to do with not being able to relate to your culture as well as you do, and so I find them to be mostly deeply irritating. The same goes for US films - I much prefer European movies as a whole.

[shell0x]

The german Autobahn is much better than the US highway system.