Why scandinavian societies are so different? - Barnens ö (1980) Discussion

[–] Petie3-2 16 years ago

I don't think they are that different; they do focus on being 'civilized' which means being courteous, hospitable, interested and interesing. They are generally hard-working, neat, clean, helpful, attractive, intelligent and well educated.
Those are the classic boy-scout discriptions of a Scandahoovian. There are also the generation which tolerates outrageous behavior, sexual deviancy (define it how you will) drug usage, promiscuity, runaway immigration as diversity is a virtue.
Hopefully that generation will die young and the older values will show through.
Do not judge the French by the Parisienne shop keepers; nor the Germans by the Hamburg whores.

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[–] Starian 15 years ago

Scandinavians are amazing. They are so advanced!

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[–] meneldil 12 years ago

Are we not the supermen,
Aryan-pure supermen.
Ja we is der supermen,
Superduper supermen.

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[–] bboyminn 12 years ago

Let me turn the question over. Why is prostitution legal in Nevada? Answer: Because Nevada has a relatively small, and yes, a somewhat rural population. It is easier to convince a 1 million people than 300 million people. Also because the general population of Scandinavian countries is smaller, so too is the population of religious fanatics smaller, and there for less influential.

Norway has about 4.5 million. Sweden has about 10 million. Finland has about 5 million. Governing them is like governing a typical state in the USA.

Then of course, they are simply rational and reasonable people, not influenced by they ranting hysteria of the larger western countries. Winter are long and cold, so in the summer you absorb as much sun as you can, if that means boys in Speedos and topless girls, so much the better.

Plus there is the element of Climate. The climate is a bit harsh which encourages people to cooperate if for nothing else than simply for the sake of survival.

Plus, we in the USA are in the minority. The rest of the world doesn't get all giggly and filled with mock outrage just because they see boobies or pee-pees. We, the USA, really need to grow up.

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[–] StefL 12 years ago

I don't quite see the relevance of your reference to Nevada and prostitution...?
You do know that in Sweden BUYING sex is illegal, while selling it is not, which in effect makes prostitution illegal?
And the argument of it being easier to "convince" 1 million that 300 million, I don't see much in that argument either. It's more about what is the main cultural viewpoints and the history of the population, that's my conviction.

However, I'm not sure Sweden's as different from most other European countries as some people like to think. At least we're less so now than in the 70's, being members of the EU and having seen a considerable immigration over the past 30 odd years.

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[–] bboyminn 12 years ago

I was using prostitution being legal in Nevada as a Metaphor. It simply illustrates the point that it is easier to get a Million people to agree than it is to get 300 million people to agree on something. I believe that is true, but it really has nothing to do with prostitution itself.

Further I don't think our opinions are that far apart at the core.

I said -

"they are simply rational and reasonable people"

Which certainly stems for "cultural viewpoints and the history of the population".

As to Sweden being much like the rest of Europe, I said -

"The rest of the world doesn't get all giggly and filled with mock outrage just because they see boobies or pee-pees." That is relative to the USA.

So other than you seeming to not like my prostitution metaphor, we are pretty much in agreement.

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[–] StefL 12 years ago

I shouldn't say that I "not liked" your prostitution metaphor - I simply didn't understand it, and I see your point better now.

However, I think there are two sides of what you mention about it being easier to convince 1 million than 300 million. The other side from what you're pointing out is that among 300 million it is easier to have minor - local, ethnical, religious or else - norm systems develop within the main cultural body. An "extreme" example from the US would for instance be the Amish - something that would have a pretty hard time existing in Sweden.

Presently however there's an ongoing discussion about religion and religious rules and norms that may differ from mainstream Swedish history, culture and even legislation. This is mainly due to the large immigration from islamic countries such as Iraq over the past 20 years. My personal view is that we must never allow cultural systems that oppose the country's legislation or put people in a situation where they feel that they must bend to such rules. But it's a "new" discussion to many people in Sweden, and there's a vast fear of being called "racist" if you speak up too loud about people for being different, so it will probably take some time before all is settled.

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[–] bboyminn 12 years ago

I'm a third generation American, prior to that, my ancestors came primarily from Norway. Yes, we held on to bits and pieces of our historical culture, but very minor bits, mostly a few traditional foods. But my ancestors came to America to be Americans. We assimilated, while still keep in touch with out history.

That's what immigrants need to do. Yes, hold on to your culture, I wish I had held on to more of mine, but if you move to Sweden, then you must accept that you will become Swedish. No other option will do. If you do not want to become Swedish, then simply don't move to Sweden. Does that make sense? It seems to be what immigrants have historically done.

Yes, in a population of 300 million it is possible for a variety of sub-cultures to exist, and in a population of 10 million (Sweden) that's not quite so easy.

But the point is, Sweden (and similar) are very free and open societies. America claims the high ground on freedom, but everything that makes us free has pretty much been stripped away since 911. When a massacre occurred in Norway, the govt response was More Freedom, More Liberty. In the USA, we destroyed the thing we were trying to preserve.

My point is, going back to the comment I made about Scandinavian countries being very practical, reasonable, rational people, and that makes them very different from much of the rest of the world. Perhaps even different from other European countries. Just because you see a pee-pee, that doesn't make something pornography, as in the case of this movie. However, in the USA, you could very well be arrested and tried for possessing this movie. They might not win, but it would still cost you thousands of Dollars to defend yourself for a movie found in the Kid's Section of the local Library in Scandinavia.

Much like my 'prostitution analogy', I fear I may have created an even greater distraction, but now using Politics to illustrate my point. None the less, I hope my point gets through.

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[–] timlin-4 11 years ago

It think you are overstating the openness of Scandinavia. From an outsider's perspective they've taken "liberalism" to the point of ideological nihilism. Recent prostitution laws for example, virtually liquidate the concept of the individual in favor the purity of the collective

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