Youd probably get more agreement from the EADD or AUSDD group, but I appreciate your gumption in posting this here.
For the record, Id say we have a more ignorant people - yes, Id agree with you. But I think it is more a larger number, rather than a larger percentage, simply because we are one of the more heavily populated countries on the planet, especially among those that are easily recognizable. You may run across an ignorant hispanic, but is he Columbian? Spanish? Mexican? You just dont know. Come across an ignorant American, you pretty much know it immediately, unless they try and pretend they are Canadien, and even that is pretty weak, eh? Were still recognizable.
And most Americans (never use maxims like ALL or NEVER
), are of a different mindset than people from other countries. Ive made the point before that other than Australians or communists, most people outside the US have grown up understanding (if not respecting) other cultures, other ways of viewing the world, and having an awereness beyond the bubble in which they grew up in. They are forced to for the fact that their borders are generally open and people flow fairly freely between countries, sharing cultures and basically having their existence be proof enough that your country or govt isnt the end-all-be-all. Americans can live their whole lives without visiting another country. Some never make it out of their own state (which is often times bigger than some countries). So, a lot of us grow up knowing only our country, our govt, our like-minded countrymen. Foriegners are like tv characters, and their lands may as well be a sit com or made for tv movie - fictional to the degree we wish to believe in them.
But this wasnt about American centric thinking, despite how much it is prevalent in the US. This was about a single aspect of that narrow minded view of the world - the fact that so many believe whatever the govt tells them, or their friends tell them, about drugs. Stereotypically, we Americans are repressed and not encouraged to think for ourselves on lots of subjects, of which drugs is a single topic. So, without responsible, knowledgable, and honest sources for drug information we grow up depending on the only sources we have - friends, govt, writings on the bathroom walls.
This isnt to say were all this closed minded - there are some who actually do seek to educate themselves. Hence the overwhelming population of this site is American
. Though we are in the minority. It is easier for the masses to believe what they are told than to buck the system and stand out. Being exemplar in sports, politics, areas that are percieved as GOOD or POSITIVE is fine, but being different by pursuing unfavorable areas to shine doesnt help one much here. It gives the image of rebel, or worse, a degenerate. Regardless, if you do pursue something like drug knowledge, you will generally find yourself on your own in this endeavor and you cant really shout about it to those around you. Other cultures or societies may be more forgiving, or even encouraging of self exploration for the truth. But America, IMO, was developed and is carried primarily on having the masses accept and follow what they are told. If you dont, you dont make it in the US.
Back to my earlier point about agreeing we have more ignorant people. I think it is primarily a reflection of having a larger populatoin. But I would venutre to guess we also have a higher percentage of the population that may be considered ignorant on drugs. For that I point again to the availability of information and the culture that encourages conformity. However, in any society, even in the US, you will have a small percentage that bucks the system - that is determined to learn the truth for themselves. And that small group of people is generally who you will find in NADD. Futhermore, when we have friends who are sheep, you\\\'ll notice we go the extra step to educate and protect them - because we recognize there is more to the world than weve been told. And we, the few who self educate, believe others should learn these things as well.
