Having spent most of my life living outside of the US, I often wonder how easy it is for one to have misconceptions about other countries.  Sure, anybody can pronounce the name of a country.  However, when it comes down to other cultures, most rely on things that they have heard or watched, rather than things they have experienced.  We are constantly bombarded with so much information, that we begin to accept it for what it is without questioning it.  We want to have an opinion.  Have you wondered how you have formed your opinion?

1. News Channels – sure, you might say that you don’t watch them, but they always find a way to creep up on you.  They will make sure that you know something, and you know it well.  Because of news channels, millions of people have very educated opinions about Iraq and its future.  That’s not all.  News channels nowadays want to enhance the viewer’s experience by providing cinematic elements – like heartfelt music when having a heartfelt moment during a segment preceding somebody’s dog being castrated.  In other words, facts are not enough – we need shiny graphics, and a soundtrack to piece in all together in our fragile minds.

2. High School – wow, that’s a new one.  Somewhere between the catacombs of elementary school and college, high school is the perfect place to learn about World Wars, Revolutions and Ideologies.  The agenda is filled with concentration camps, Nazi, communism, Islam – so many cool words, but so little time to go over them.  Just remember that they are bad and wrong, or badong (movie reference).  Or better yet, let’s use news channels to tell those kids the truth.

3. Movies – when both news channels and high school have failed to get the truth across to you, a more ingenious method is required.  Movies are exaggeration at its finest.  Two hours of fast paced, action packed goodness can surely make up your mind about a lot of stuff.  You won’t hear about Christian conservative terrorists, or Kennedy’s assassination.  So sit tight and enjoy the ride.

Of course, there are many exceptions.  But it gets harder and harder to come across them.

Animaniacs - Yakko World Country Song - Funny videos are here

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