名称：Hiroshima & Detroit
描述：1945 VS 2010

广岛（Hiroshima）与底特律（Detroit）

近日底特律宣布破产告诉我们这个世界没有永远的繁荣、盛世不衰的神话。

上文转帖里

A: 美国学生

I :  国际学生 

Whoops!

                                             -----------两位美国大学毕业生深入探讨对话 (转)

A: I am not offering blind patriotism nor do I think the USA is "number one" whatever that means. In fact, after I post this I will link to you a clip for The Newsroom where the show addresses this very topic. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJWKccHQFOA

Now the whole reason I posted all this is just to add some clarity to the discussion. The United States is much bigger land mass wise. That is true. At the same time it has around 2.5 times the population of Japan. So, if both populations have a work force that are somewhat similar in their economic output per worker then it stands to reason that Japan will have about 1/3 of the United State's economic output.

The Japanese have created an economic miracle to a degree. I agree with that. They are an island with few natural resources yet they are top three in economic output. So, they turned to technology. Culturally they are very socially oriented which definitely helps with getting the ball rolling economically. Similarly, they are quite homogeneous which I would think is an advantage in many aspects of managing a society. The United States is very diverse. Similarly, Americans are very individualistic. While this helps with innovation it does not always translate in smart long term policies.

For example, the Germans implement clean energy policies which have payed off in recent years. Its much harder to get Americans to agree on these issues. That is due to culture, diverse society, the political climate [state's rights, etc], but also due to the sheer size of the United States, where its much harder to implement a nation wide policy versus a smaller nation.

 I: Hahaha, I like it!

A: I don't love blindly. But I have made love blindly.

 I:  No intent to challenge your patriotism, but here are my thoughts.
       1) It is much easier to attain economic success for a geographically large country, according to a theory called "economies of scale". Examples are USA, Russia, China. Although these countries might not be globally the most efficiently run, but they are nonetheless regionally, if not globally, prominent market players. In this regard, I would call Japan's economic achievements "a miracle".

2) True, Japan might enjoyed lots resources from WW2, I agree. In comparison, USA however were in a way better position when it comes to geopolitical advantages. USA have access to both oceans freely, and neighboring countries were either allied forces or insignificants. USA have never encountered mainland military threats ever. Also, USA are a resource-abundant country more than you think; Japan, in comparison, has almost no coal, iron, or oil. Thus, I do not think you want to convince me the resources that the Japanese imperialistic government conquered had sustained their developments for decades.

3) America supported Japan post-WW2, I agree. But, if you want to talk about who was the ultimate winner of WW2, I bet 7 of 10 international scholars would name the USA. The USA was the country that was "intact" - well, except the Pearl Harbor.

4) Very true. Japan used to serve as a trade transaction point, but hey now Korea and Taiwan were gradually substituting Japan since 1980's. That reason doesn't make Japan uniquely irreplaceable for their economic success.

5) Culture. Maybe. You do not mean that Americans could not quickly get to doing the task, do you?

The USA are a great nation, but I guess you do not want to love it blindly. Buddy.

A: Also, I forgot to add .... USA USA USA !!!!

A: Its a complicated issue. You must look at the context. First of all, it is much easier to organize and mobilize a nation that is geographically small. Japan has a big population concentrated in a small land mass. This allows for quick, effective, and easy to implement economic decisions. Secondly, Japan definitely enjoyed a lot of riches and resources they conquered during WW II. Due to their imperialistic policy they were able to gather a lot of resources as well as weaken a number of their neighbors. So, historically and geographically speaking Japan did not have to worry about strong neighbors who would put pressure on the island nation. Thirdly, Japan enjoyed unprecedented American support after WWII which definitely helped with their economic recovery. In fact, the destruction that occurred during WWII never hit the Japanese main land as much as it hit the rest of the world. Fourthly, the Japanese were at a prime location to act as a transition point for trade between Asia and America. Fifthly, culturally speaking Japan has an excellent culture that allows for swift and focused mobilization of the nations populace. If Japan puts their mind onto something due to their history, their size, and their culture they can quickly get to doing the task. This definitely helps with economic policies.

I: I think it's less about politics but more about the fact that Japan, roughly in a land size of California, currently generates 1/3 economic productions of the USA each year, in spite of the aftermath from WW2 that the nation was entirely wiped down to the level. Doesn't that sound alert to anyone, especially those
claiming "We are the greatest country"?

A: Its a lot more complicated than that. Though I see some merit in the idea that the democrats there just spent way too much money. Isn't like 20%+ of Detroit on well-fare/government assistance? That seems a bit high.

局部油镜视野哈。不过确实现在那里是一座‘鬼城’。

记得小苹果2009年12月份放寒假第一次回国，因将暑假一张未用美联航还是大陆航空机票改签为加航机票，由于不知道需要持加拿大过境签证（在多伦多还要再转一次加航飞机）被阻拦在芝加哥奥海尔国际机场加航登机柜台闸口前。为此不得不拖着行李返回学校取车漏夜驱车（来回需要8个小时车程）赶去美加边境底特律加拿大驻美领事馆申请办理过境签证（加国过境签证是免费的，加拿大驻芝加哥领事馆不受理签证这项业务，距离芝加哥最近的加拿大驻美领事馆就在底特律）。还记得他回来后告知我们‘底特律的萧条、萧杀境况让人感到震惊！密歇根州是一个看不见希望的州’。尽管如此，他还是驱车去访问了《8 miles》拍摄地——底特律8 Mile Road（M-102 Michigan highway）

《8 miles》是2002年奥斯卡获奖电影，电影背景设在1995年密歇根底特律。8 Mile路位于由绝大部份为非裔美国人构成的底特律和主要由白人构成的底特律北区之间的分界，“8 Mile”一词因而代表的是一道难以跨越的藩篱。

想买底特律的$1豪斯房，再买1把枪别在身上。很向往能过上在后院种点小白菜、红萝卜...像zhao老师妈妈那样的田园生活...对，还有像shanghainese老师家那样在后院种上几棵苹果树，种一季就可以每年等着摘果子...