The Internet Is Not American

Posted by Jim Stroud

January 29, 2006

The internet is not american, but I tend to think of it that way. I suppose that is because when I am online I converse with americans, seek out americans and read about americans. This is not good. There is too much opportunity to expand my worldview and what better way to do that, than by using the internet. I began to wonder, what are people like in other countries and what do people think about me, simply because I am an American.

Well, while pursing that answer, I cam across The Prejudice Map. A rather clever mashing of search results on a map explaining (or revealing) how people en masse tend to think of various cultures. For example, according to this map, the people of Spain are known for “gut reactions, being artistic and their ability to enjoy life.” Interesting…

The method of how this map was developed is also quite clever. He uses the wild card in Google to complete his unfinished phrase. For example, “germans are known for *”

I think what the author of the blog did was very creative and very controversial. Afterall, citing ethnic views can encourage a negative backlash of opinion. (Which is why the definition of “prejudice” is outlined on the author’s homepage.) If you decide to check out the results of the prejudice map, please consider that the results of the map are a sampling of what others have said online and do not neccessrily reflect the opinion of the person who created the map.