Are Americans selfish and spoiled?

Question

Do we really need to go faster (more fuel used), drive bigger cars/vans/SUVs (especially since no one has a large-3 to 5 kids-family much anymore), and lush, green lawns (chemicals ugh). Instead of a green lawn, why not have drought-type plants, bushes, and flowers? Maybe a little green that you can push mow and burn some calories at the same time.

What are your views?

Answer 1

I believe that we Americans are both selfish & spoiled, we have had the benefit of modern convienences as well as buying into media sales tactics as, 'We Deserve It' mentality. But more of us are coming around to an enviornmental commitment, we ARE making changes, some faster then others, but we must continue in research & share knowlegde for these to take affect.

We can make a difference, steadfast 1 <><

Answer 2

Yes. We are. Stupid Americans. Start saving the Earth, damn it! Now everyone buy flourescent light bulbs, drive smaller cars, install solar panels, and switch to ethanol! If you'll excuse me, I'll be lighting a bonfire fueled entirely by gasoline in my backyard while leaving my shower and car running. I also plan on powering all of this with fossil fuels. Now what are you doing staring at me with that odd look on your face? GET MOVING!

But to actually answer your question, yes, all of these would be a great help to saving the Earth from the doomsday we've given it. However, few people are willing to do that. We all want lush green lawns. You see, everyone else has lush green lawns. So if we put in ugly not-lush lawns, we'll be the laughing stock of the neighborhood (I'm hoping you see what's wrong with this picture - i.e. The cycle that's taking place where no one can change anything without being made fun of). But as you can see, that's the problem. We're all power-hungry. And we know if we change something, we'll get yelled at and teased for it. It's that simple.

Answer 3

Absolutely, though not more than the rest of the world.

Driving a one and a half ton vehicle to transport one person weighing one twentieth of that weight does not not seem good though.

Do have a lawn. The grass does not need mowing, regular weeding keeps me supple and at 115 lbs. Once in a year or two hand cut big clumps.

Do have quite a few drought resistant plants. The doctor has ordered me to put on at least five pounds, so no extra calories to burn. I agree with the thought.

I am an Indian. (Indian Indian)

Answer 4

On the whole, yes, Americans are far too selfish and spoiled. We're in a state of economic prosperity where most people don't have to worry about scraping together enough money to feed themselves or their families. There's nothing wrong with that, but Americans have disposable income which often isn't used very wisely. For example, buying a Hummer, which serves essentially zero purpose while guzzling gas and consequently emitting greenhouse gases at a rather disgusting rate.

When you compare the US to other 1st world countries, we pay less for gas and get much worse gas mileage. We emit a quarter of the world's CO2 despite having a small fraction of its population. Despite our wealth, the mere mention of the word "tax" sends half of our population into a frenzy, and consequently we have poor or nonexistent government programs which would benefit us, such as universal health care. To me the refusal to pay slightly higher taxes which would benefit the entire country is the very definition of selfishness.

As the worst emitter of greenhouse gases (by far) and a rich country that has benefitted from those emissions, the US should be leading the charge against global warming. Instead, we elect people like George W. Bush, the worst environmental president in US history who not only has held back American initiatives to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, but has held back the entire world from this crucial goal. There is not nearly enough outrage about this amongst the American people who are content to drive their SUVs around. I'm sorry, but that's selfish and spoiled.

Answer 5

It would be nice if we could have a car that would be fueled
by our garbage. (Like the back to the future car). I have
to object on the SUV thing because when we get together
for family gatherings it is nice to be able to use only a
couple of vehicles then have everyone drive in a separate
vehicle. As to the lawn thing I agree drought type plants
is a great idea. I've even thought of doing like one of
my grandparents landlords did and just have a rock lawn
it was little rocks kind of white/gray in color. It was a
small yard so it looked good. I would put a small area
of sand except there are too many cats in the neighborhood.

Answer 6

More Americans are selfish and spoiled than the general world population, yes.

The rewards of a home with little or no lawn are enormous. I recently received certification as wildlife habitat from National Wildlife Federation. You can't do that with a huge lawn!

Americans are collectively acting as the proverbial ostrich in the sand. Eventually we will need to come up for air and we'll have a rude awakening. But for now, I try to do my part without preaching to the narcissistic people that aren't receptive to change.

Answer 7

I hate the lawn and I wish it would not grow. I do have 4-5 children and have to have a bigger car than I like although I do not need or have an suv or minivan. I get better gas mileage at 75 on the interstate than I do at 55 on the side highways and even less at 35 in town.

Answer 8

No, not for the most part.

Americans (in general) work very hard. Compare our average work-week to the 35 hour French work-week (and they are fighting for less!). We own our own businesses; even an uneducated person with a lawn mower can make a living.

We work hard, so we want to play hard. We camp, boat, own ORVs, just to let off steam and relax. All these things require a larger-than-commuter vehicle to haul or pull our businesses and our recreation. I drive a Hummer H3. Yes, 90% of the time I am the sole occupant of that vehicle. But if I didn't have it, then I couldn't haul mulch in my trailer, take the family camping in our pop-up trailer, or take my Waverunners out on the weekends.

(To be perfectly honest, I just started carpooling this week since gas hit my disgusted-gotta-do-something-about-it price.)

We work hard, we want to play hard. It's as simple as that.

As for lush, green lawns. I have to agree. I have an acre of grass (and clover, and dandelions...) that I mow once a week. I don't water it and I don't fertilize it. But I do live in a rural area where that's acceptable. Most subdivisions here in MI have "associations" that would prohibit a more environmentally-friendly approach. I don't agree with that kind of thing, which is why I live in the country!

Answer 9

We folks in the United States are still a very young culture, by world wide standards. If you look at your average teen aged person, that's the period of human development we currently resemble. We are strong, we have our problems, we have various forms of acne, too (metaphorical for any current pimple you might want to call such).

We're selfish, we're growing, we're learning. We've had our noses bloodied a few times and we're doing our share of punching others (no different, just on scale, than any other civilization that has passed or grown before us).

I have faith that we can grow past our current state into something to really make the world go "wow."

Answer 10

I am a European living in the US and can´t wait to go back home.
The knowledge of two things that are important for me is poor:
- the world (outside US)
- science

plus some people (not everybody) totally lack of a generous vision of the world.