Wednesday, March 19, 2014

3/19/2014

#790
special vs. ordinary
Please respond with a comment.

49 comments:

  1. Personally I think everyone is special in their own way. I disagree with Europe but then again nobody's going to believe them because when was the last time the Europeans beat the U.S in basketball? Also if everyone was ordinary it seems everyone would be the same and such with little differences between one another. Finally, the U.S is obviously because Murica'.

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  2. The US says they want people to feel special, but make a big deal or criticize when somebody tries to be different. Everyone should do what they wanna do and what makes them happy. Everyone is different and everyone should try and not care of what others think.

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. I think that being special is ordinary. Ordinary is special because everyone is special and says they are so it turns into ordinary. Its a thing that you cant really argue.

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  5. I think everyone does have the right to be special, but it is also okay to be ordinary if that's what someone wants. People should have the right to be whatever they want to be. While we should have the right to be special, I'm not sure that's entirely how it is. You cannot be yourself or "special" without being judged. However, being able to be special is a better mindset. The best mindset though is being however you want to be. The US mindset suggests that we are people open to anything, such as diversity which is not completely true. The European mindset suggests that everyone should be alright with being the same.

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  6. Well I do think that the US has a very different mindset than the rest of the world, but being that I've never been to Europe I can not say for sure how the rest of the world thinks. Let me go to England and I'll get back to you.

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  7. Having everyone believe that they are more special than everyone else can cause problems. Society could use the excuse of "I'm more special than you" to try to persuade others to get what they want. Yet, if society holds that standard of everyone being ordinary can make diversity in society different. If everyone was ordinary there would be not a rise to greatness and we probably wouldn't have innovations in society because no single person would be willing to step up. If we had the mindset of everyone is special, it could act as an incentive to make transformations in society.

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  8. Honestly I believe in America's theory on how everyone is unique and special. Although i do see Europe's reasoning, I still agree more with America. Each individual is different and unique in their own way. No one is the same. Each person has different DNA and a different soul. No one is ordinary or considered normal. Normality simply does not apply to the human race.

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  9. I agree with the US statement that everyone has the right to be special, although Europe's viewpoint makes more sense. However, one should not be forced to be a certain type of way and our personal rights make sure this is so. If someone chooses the right to be ordinary, thats fine and if they want to special, thats fine too. Everyone has the right to be who they want to be.

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  10. I feel as though these statements are comparative to our school's growth/fixed mindset. In this case, America has a growth mindset and Europe has a fixed mindset. Europe feels like people don't have to try, being normal and not trying is okay. In America the exact opposite is true. In America, everyone feels as though they must strive to be their best. This will definitely have better implications for America since they will strive to more forward. Europe, on the other hand, will remain stagnant, because being normal, aka not doing anything, is 'OK'.

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  11. Everyone is special in their own way. No one is exactly the same has someone else; even if they have a twin. It is a good thing that everyone is different because it makes life less boring. If everyone was exactly the same than every thing would be done the same and there would be no agreements to anything. Being different gives us uniqueness in the world. We don't all have to be crazy and weird; we can be ordinary people but no matter what we do the world will never have two of the same type of person.

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  12. I agree with the US beliefs even though I feel like it isn't exactly true. I believe everybody should be accepted for being special which the US ¨says¨ it supports but in reality if you aren't the stereotypical ¨True American¨ you are getting judged. Americans are constantly getting judged for being special even though it says it is okay. I don't think Europe's thoughts are exactly true either because how can you define ordinary. There isn't a distinct ordinary so how can everyone be ¨ordinary¨

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  13. I think that the first statement is better than the second statement. I would say that he is right. It is how it is. I would say that The first statement is the better mindset. Everyone can be something great if they want to be. It seems more on the "I don't care" side of things.

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  14. I think everyone was the right to be the way they want to be. I think the US is right because we should be unique even though people like to follow others. The US is the better mindset because he actually thinks everyone is unique. The implications of the US is that everyone is unique and its okay. The European implication is that everyone is pretty ordinary and we should just get over it.

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  15. How could you possibly hold people accountable for being normal or ordinary? You can't keep people from being themselves. What would they define as ordinary anyway? Maybe the US thinks that being special brings specialties and Europe thinks that people being ordinary would keep things constant. What if someone like me was defined as normal and everyone had to act like me? I wouldn't even wish that on my worst enemies. I think the US has the right idea on this one. Everybody should an individual. Except when it comes to the Irrawaddy, everybody should praise it.

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  16. This isn't right because with Europe people are going to feel like they don't have to do much. With USA it is a better perspective because it makes us strive to do our best in order to be a unique person. This can be partially true because some people don't work as hard as others and some people do there best in everything. Society also shapes us with this because if Europe is just ok then the people will not try as hard because being ok was seen as good.

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  17. I think that the view of American people is correct because everyone is not the same and everyone does things better than others. I do think that he is correct but I don't really know if it is exactly lilke this. Between the two statements I think the US viewpoint is hte better mindset. The main idea for US mimdest is that everyone is speical in their own way. Europes is that everyone should just be ok with being normal.

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  18. I think Europe is full of crap & the U.S knows where it's at. I don't know if that's what Alain de Bottom is saying, but that's how I think of this quote. I agree with the United States because if everyone was ordinary, then life would be boring. Being special makes everyone different. That's my opinion. Others might say that Europe is the better mindset because if everyone was ordinary, then there wouldn't be as much drama or conflicts in the world. I think that's how our world is shaped, though. We learn from conflicts to make our world a better place. I mean, look at the Industrial Revolution. Look at how much easier life is with this technology. I honestly believe that the United States has the better mindset.

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  19. I think that Europe doesn't have a growth mind set and doesn't care about their citizens but here in 'merica we do our own thing and encourage our citizens to do whatever they want to do. Unless it's illegal then we put them in jail. Unless it's OJ Simpson

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  20. I believe that we all are special in our own ways. You can be whoever you want to be, and no one can tell you otherwise. Europe shouldn't be able to tell their citizens how to act; it's stupid and oppressive. The better mindset would definitely be the U.S. just because they tell us that it's okay to be special.

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  21. While the U.S believes everyone has the right to be special and Europe believes everyone should be okay with being normal why do we have rules for life anyway. Why can we not live and simply be without the continuous strain of an ever growing society leaning on our shoulders.

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  22. Is being special even considered a right? Can something so fragile and complex be categorized in such a way? Humans are naturally unique; varied and contrasting in every spectrum. Yet if we are all 'special', wouldn't that suggest we are all ordinary? We all have the capability of being 'special' in a certain sense, but should we be? Striving for ordinariness is bland, and particularly ignorant. However, the drive to be special is competitive, and occasionally detrimental to others. Which is best? How can we know?

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  23. I disagree with Europe. The United States has the mindset of letting everyone show their talents. We believe differentiating and exploring our unique personalities is a thing everyone should project.
    I believe showing differences is a good thing, because not everyone is going to think, act, or talk the same. It shows who you are.. It's a personality and it's you.

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  24. I think that this quote is exactly right for both cases. Everyone does have the right to be special but living in a nation where everyone is striving for greatness it's hard to notice the special qualities that one possesses. Soon special gifts will become the social norm and we will all just be average at everything. The mindset of Europe has the better mindset because not everyone is as talented as others. There will always be that kid who sucks at doing things.

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  25. I disagree with Europe, everyone is special in their own way but "being special" is ordinary.

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  26. I think that they are both ALMOST saying the same thing. the U.S states that "everyone has the right to be special." I believe that means if a person wants to be special they can try all they want but it is ok to be normal.

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  27. I disagree with Europe, everyone is special in their own way, no one is the same, even if you are related.

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  28. I think that the USA's mind set is a lot better than Europe's. Everyone has their own right to stand out and be their true selves. I don't think that this is entirely accurate, because when I go to Scotland over the summer the people there have always been really open and unique. People excepted me more there then they did here. I think that the implications of the USA's mindset is that everyone should strive to be their own person and stand out. Europe's implications is that you should be okay with fitting in. You should feel safe and happy following the common stereotype.

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  29. I think that European mind set is basically stating the same thing as United States. For someone to be special we are ordinary. In my opinion I think that both quotes are well stated and it goes with everyone.

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  30. I believe that united state is right that everyone has the right to be special i disagree with europe because you should be special and not ordinary.

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  31. This means that its okay to be whatever you want to be the sky is the limit. if a person wants to be special as long as they believe it they are.

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  32. I believe he is right. The United States is a country of opportunity. If you are willing to put in the effort you can achieve anything. The better mindset is the first one. Anyone can be special. I disagree with Europe because everyone is has their own special things.

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  33. I think "special" and "ordinary" is not the right way to describe people. No one is special; everyone should be equal. Also, no one is ordinary because what exactly is ordinary? The definition of ordinary is "with no special or distinctive features; normal." What is normal? "Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected." Normal is conforming to society in the eyes of the government, which should be frowned upon. Normal does not exist. Everyone is their own. Do not conform to any expectations, the government should not control us.

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  34. I think both cases are true; I agree with the US especially because everyone does have their own right to be different/special. Although, Europe's case is also meaningful because it's for those who believe they're not special, extraordinary, or unique to know that it is OK to be ordinary.

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  35. I agree with the US statement that everyone has the right to be special, although Europe's viewpoint makes more sense. Everyone can be special but being ordinary is perfectly fine and either way they should not be judged. If someone chooses the right to be ordinary, that is their right and that is fine but being special is a good thing as well. Everyone has the right to be who they want to be.

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  36. now a days they're both the same.

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  37. Everyone has the right to be special. Some people may be okay with ordinary but you have the right to be different. If a person wants to be special go on ahead because even if people dont like you thats their fault not yours. So, BE SPECIAL! Let your light shine..

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  38. If everyone is special, doesn't that mean that no one is special? Being special is being different or standing out in some way. If everyone is one way (special) then no one is really different. 0.0

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    Replies
    1. maybe everybody is special in their own way (different talents/skills for example) .-.

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  39. What is special? Everyone should be able to be their own person. By saying special it doesn't exactly mean that you are your own person. What is ordinary? Either country shouldn't believe certain rights for people. Let them be who they want as an individual. I think the statements are similar by saying a certain way to be, but either way it is wrong and they should let each individual be their own.

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  40. Personally I feel like both are right; everyone has the right to be special, but if they choose to be ordinary and not flamboyant, that's fine, too. I don't think either of them are actually how they say they are; the US encourages people to be who they are, but when they are, they judge them and reprimand them for who they are, and the UK says that it's okay to be different, but completely fall at the people who are different's feet. Either way, people are liars. I don't really think either of them is the better mindset because no matter what, people will encourage individualism and try and force people to be and act however they want them to.

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  41. I don't agree or disagree with either point of view. In my personal opinion, everyone should be allowed to whatever kind of person they want. If you want to be super different than everyone else then go for it; if you'd rather float on with everyone else and just go with the flow then that's fine too. Its all about the life each individual wants to lead and no one person should be able to tell you how you're supposed to live.

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  42. Everyone is special in their own little way..not saying that being ordinary is bad, because if someone is wanting to be ordinary then no one should judge them on the way they want to be; if you want to be ordinary THEN GO FOR IT! But to me, I think they are saying the same thing because they are both suggesting that being special is okay, and so is being ordinary. BE WHO YOU ARE is pretty much what I am trying to say.

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  43. They are basically saying the same thing. Being special is being whoever you want to be, whether that's being different or being ordinary. Just be who you are and don't let anyone tell you how to be. Being who you are is better than being who someone tells you to be.

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  44. I agree with everyone has the right to be special but I also feel that somebody should always strive for greatness at something. Not necessarily to feel a sense of accomplishment but just to have goals and keep you busy. I think it's fine to be just ok but I really don't think the average person just wants to be ok. Everyone I know has some sort of competitive nature whether it be at sports,driving,drawing,reading,singing etc. It's just human nature to want to show off your talents. It'd drive me nuts to just be mediocre, especially at something I love. As for mindset they're both good but I just can't see somebody being content with just being average. However, there is nothing wrong with being average. The U.S. mindset implies everyone has the ability to be special while the European mindset is saying that being ordinary is ok. They both say the same things but in different ways.

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  45. What I take from this is that the US pushes people to be special but Europe tells their people that it is ok to ordinary. There really instead a difference except for the fact that one pushes one to be great the other says that they don't have to strive to be anything greater than what they are right now. Of course it's better to be pushed to do your best but if you happy then it is ok to be ordinary.

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  46. Having many unique people could be fun and interesting, but we need a "normal" to base it off of. Just like there has to be ordinary followers for a leader to exist. Everyone has their special talent, but it takes a while for people to figure it out. I believe that Europe is saying that it's okay if you can't find yours immediately, while the U.S. wants people to search for theirs as soon as they can.

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  47. I think everyone deserves to be who they want to be. Be the person who stands out in the crowd. Be the person everyone is inspired by. Society develops social norms today to define what is "normal". Everyone is unique and has something that sets them apart. We all have adversities that we can make the best of. Adversities challenge us and help us to overcome challenges in our lives. I think America is correc t in the statemet. Being ordinary is boring, and being "OK" should not even be an option.

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