Is internet the key reason why more people hate America nowadays?

Question

On the internet there are millions of news sites, personal blogs, discussion boards in which countless people rant about the US govt. or society or people. Once people all over the world access internet and read all this stuff, they start visualizing America in a very negative fashion.

In several other countries, news and information like this is not so easily or openly talked about & accessible to people outside their country. That helps others maintain their stereotypes & good opinions about those countries.

Don't you agree? Shouldn't internet be little more private, when it comes to being accessible to the world?

Answer 1

No, it's more about Bush.

Answer 2

I'm curious how you're measuring the number of people that hate America, both today and in the past.

If we're looking at raw numbers, then it is likely that more people hate America today than did in... say 1970. Then again, in 1970 there were 3.7 billion people on earth and today there are around 6.5 billion.

If you're looking at percentages, then I think it's unlikely that many more people hate America today. I think there are places where America is less popular, largely based on the policies of the current administration, but I think 5 years from now that could completely change. Remember that the phrase "the great Satan" was coined back in 1979, a dozen years before public use of the internet began.

The internet allows the free exchange of thoughts and ideas for all people. Some of those people happen to be full of hate and evil and wish only to lash out at others, some of those people are full of wisdom and kindness, and most of those people are full of curiosity. The internet allows like minded people to seek each other out. That means, it's easier for hateful people to find other hateful people. But it also means that a school child in midwest America can write daily to a penpal in Jordan or Sudan or Indonesia, and they can get to know each other and understand each other in a way that was impossible 20 years ago.

I believe, perhaps naively, that for every person that seeks out hate, at least 5 people seek out understanding, and in the long term, understanding leads to less fear, and less hate.

So I would very much oppose making the internet more private, and less accessible. The idea that countries like China and North Korea, where the internet is censored, are making the world a better place, seems bizarre to me. The idea that stereotypes are always good, equally bizarre. Couldn't bad sterotypes be perpetuated as well?

The problem with restricting information is, who gets to decide what information you should see? Most people would agree that certain things shouldn't be widely available, but it's almost impossible to get most people to agree on exactly what those things are.

Answer 3

The internet came along with what is known as NEW WORLD ORDER! it has existed since the 60's but was only for airforce! Now is the best time for spreading it! People talking freely is what our country cries out for..... FREEDOM and in this case freedom of speach. By the way; you are crazy for such a stupid idea! remindes me of the dirty games Bill O'rielly plays all the time!

Answer 4

I have looked at the other answers to your question and I don't see how President Bush figures in. To answer your question, and I don't know where you live, but one of the rights recognized (not granted by) the government is that of Free Speech. From many years of reading, I have come to know that many governments control the media and many times manipulate public opinion by only allowing one side of the issue to be heard. In the United States, the news mechanism is controlled by a few large companies, UPI, CNN and the like. A good example is to read the stories in most of the countries newspapers of President Bush's inaugurations. Every third paragraph of some of those stories used the word "protest(s)" and made much of the protests that were to be held the day of Bush's inauguration. Compare that to the stories run on Clinton's inauguration. You would think that we were entering into a long sought utopia. Another example is how very little is mentioned in this country of the beheadings committed by the druglords in Mexico and the police corruption and assasinations of the protesters in that country. My opinion is that those things are kept quiet because the media is helping sway public opinion here so immigration reform can come about. So, I believe the internet has brought much corruption and good to light. There's a lot of junk, pornography and such, it's you choice to partake or avoid. And, another thing..who will be the one to decide what should be suppressed and what should be let out? At times, the U.S. also practices suppressing opinions, in the case of some churches, their beliefs and preaching are considered "Hate Speech" and subject their pastors/ministers to arrest. So we all need to be on our toes.

Answer 5

Uh, it's the U.S. abuse of power over the last century, and it's current appalling human rights record and policy of mass-murder, and destruction of entire countries that did nothing to us that is the key reason more people hate America nowadays.

You're blaming the means of information, but NOT the reality being discussed.

That's like saying that the reason people don't like murderers and rapists is that a lot of people say negative things about them.

No, the reason people hate them is that what they DO is hateful.

Answer 6

This is a fascinating question on many levels.

Envy is the right word, not hate.

There isn't a single first world or second world nation that has NOT adopted something American into their local culture.

From our language, our clothing, our political view to our wealth as a nation, those other countries envy us. This is why they attack us. They cannot have what we have so they must destroy it.

Check out how many countries have access to MTV and you'll see what I mean.

The problem the internet has fostered is that it gives lunatic, idiotic, uneducated people the same pulpit for spouting their world views as legitimate experts.

When and Idiot has equal opportunity to speak as an expert, something is indeed wrong. Envious Idiots are the worst.

Neat question...

Answer 7

To a small degree but that biggest reasons are miss information. All our freedoms allow all points of view and those not aware of our history cannot understand how this is allowed. To them , if it is in the news it's true. While we here in America all know the media is /are a bunch of liars. They only give one side of anything they print. Peace

Answer 8

I don't think it is the internet, but I don't think it helps.

I think it is the Anti American Americans that justify the hatred more than anything. Alot of the world doesn't like American simply out of (for lack of a better term) Jealousy of the oppertunity and well being that Americans have.

I do think the internet is not going away any time soon, but I do think the country is getting ready to shift right due to the hatred for the country that the celebrities shout everyday.

Answer 9

Censorship never helps.

I don't think you have to look much further than the simplistic, idiotic answers you've gotten right here. It sounds as if we had elected the other guy, we'd all be sitting around signing com-bye-ya with the world and the terrorists types would surely leave us alone!

Answer 10

No. The opposite.
They can see that in the western world we have freedom of speech.
The clerics and Dictators hate the West because these freedoms are a threat to their lifestyles and the beliefs that they enforce on people.

Answer 11

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