Reasons the world needs the U.S.

[Candlelight]

I am looking for main points on why the world needs the U.S., and if it were to collapse, would negatively affect our countries?

Rome collapsed, but the world carried on.

If America fell over we'd just follow the Chinese.

Hell, in 20 years I think America will be playing second fiddle to China anyway.

Rome collapsed but as I recall, the dark ages started because of it. If America collapses, you know that more wars would start and the world economy would be devastated for some time, even China couldn't hold up the world if America collapsed (perhaps in time but not right away) since they depend on us as their main export market and for their manufacturing sector (since our businesses have moved operations there). The world will carry on but it will not be pretty.

It would probably go the way of 1950s America, as everyone looks internally to protect themselves after whatever fucks the world over.

 

[Candlelight]

The US are like a firefighter who sets buildings on fire to have something to do.

Oh I like that.

 

[Bisz]

The collapse of the US should not happen until after tomorrow, I'll be back in Canada then. And if it were to happen... EU, here I come!

As to why the world needs the US? Apple designs its stuff in California.

 

[Skywalker]

Have you read John Birmingham's novels "After America"? Basically over 90% of Americans mysteriously disappears from the US and what is left are those living near Seattle, WA and those who were overseas in other countries. I think only 10 million Americans remain and the world pretty much goes to crap afterwards. France falls into civil war. Germany is headed that way. Israel nukes all of the arab countries after learning they were going to attack and finally get rid of the Jews and the remaining Americans have to rebuild the country and fight off terrorist and pirates and looters from other countries who come here to steal everything not nailed down. It pretty much is a nightmare scenario.

And the British Empire is reborn, and a new era of prosperity unfolds across the globe.

I'm down for that. Do I get, like, land or titles for capitulating?

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Have you read John Birmingham's novels "After America"? Basically over 90% of Americans mysteriously disappears from the US and what is left are those living near Seattle, WA and those who were overseas in other countries.

At least you'd still have some cool rock bands.

That was EXACTLY my thought!

Although trying to visualize the members of Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains fighting off pirates is more than a bit amusing. We can only hope that, through an incredible stroke of luck, Johnny Depp is in Seattle when The Big One hits.

 

[Sector 7]

Reasons the world needs the U.S.:

Who would all those crazy dictators and Arabs use as an excuse for invasions and jihad?!
Who would send disaster relief and aid to the rest of the world?
Who would the rest of the world depend upon for technology and creativity?
Who would China steal jobs from? Who's children would they poison with lead paint and tainted baby formula?
Who?

 

[Candlelight]

Who would the rest of the world depend upon for technology and creativity?

We aren't now.

 

[scotpens]

Who would the rest of the world depend upon for technology and creativity?

Japan.

Although we Yanks still make pretty good washing machines.

 

[Amaris]

Who would the rest of the world depend upon for technology and creativity?

We aren't now.

Eh, it's a shared dependency. We all depend upon one another for new ideas and technology.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Who would the rest of the world depend upon for technology and creativity?

Japan.

Although we Yanks still make pretty good washing machines.

But you know, having spent a fair amount of time in Japan, looking around and talking to Japanese co-workers there, it seems to me as if the Japanese's forte is improving things. Not inventing things. You give them a toaster, and they will turn it into toaster that also microwaves your food, plays mp3s, acts as a robopet, and sets up a security perimeter around your house.

But you have to give them the toaster.

 

[TheBrew]

cuz we haz teh pr0nz.

 

[6079SmithW]

^Not really. I'm sure Europeans enjoy lots of pron that is just too bizzare for us prude Americans. Also, have you seen Japanese anime?

 

[SPCTRE]

A significant chunk of the leading publishers and developers in the electronic entertainment industry is US-based.

 

[LitmusDragon]

Because that's where all my stuff is!

 

[captcalhoun]

welll, you need somewhere to divide the Pacific and the Atlantic other than Canada and Mexico.

Who would all those crazy dictators and Arabs use as an excuse for invasions and jihad?!
Who would send disaster relief and aid to the rest of the world?
Who would the rest of the world depend upon for technology and creativity?
Who would China steal jobs from? Who's children would they poison with lead paint and tainted baby formula?

Britain
Britain
Britain
Britain again

 

[trekkiedane]

^As in The World Has Collapsed: Only Britain Soldiers On?

 

[captcalhoun]

something like that, yeah.

 

[Pingfah]

^As in The World Has Collapsed: Only Britain Soldiers On?

Great film.

 

[trekkiedane]

^As in The World Has Collapsed: Only Britain Soldiers On?

Great film.

Yeah, I too liked it very much

 

[Bisz]

Who would the rest of the world depend upon for technology and creativity?

Japan.

Although we Yanks still make pretty good washing machines.

But you know, having spent a fair amount of time in Japan, looking around and talking to Japanese co-workers there, it seems to me as if the Japanese's forte is improving things. Not inventing things. You give them a toaster, and they will turn it into toaster that also microwaves your food, plays mp3s, acts as a robopet, and sets up a security perimeter around your house.

But you have to give them the toaster.

As an engineer at Toyota, I can back this up 100%! I don't think the Japanese have ever invented anything, but you give them an idea and they'll do some amazing things with it.