I’m often fond of making disparate associations, and today is no exception.
A study was recently conducted at Baylor University in Texas in which a team led by Dr. Wade Rowatt examined the very human trait of humility in 200 students. For purposes of the study, Rowatt defined humility as “a psychological quality characterized by being more modest, down-to-earth, and respectful.” What may be surprising to some is that the study found that the more humble the individual, the more successful that individual is likely to be.
Meanwhile, Englishman Sacha Baron Cohen has created a huge controversy with the release of his film, “Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan.” If you haven’t heard about Borat yet, you will. Borat is a fictional citizen of Kazakhstan (a real country) who travels to America and pretty much makes light of everything he possibly can, and he is hilarious. Although I have only seen a few clips of the movie, it seems to me to be a sure bet that Borat will be nothing short of wildly successful.
And here comes the disparate association. I think that humility as a trait is much more prevalent in America than in many other parts of the world (for example, France) and it is a major factor in our success as a nation. Humility as defined by Rowatt is also the trait that will assure the success of the Borat character because we Americans love to laugh and we love to laugh at ourselves.
UK Ambassador for Kazakhstan, Erlan Idrissov, recently remarked, “Sacha Baron Cohen has developed a grotesque character who mocks many people in this society and my own… And also I felt sorry for the Americans he duped in his film, that was an utterly rude mocking of American society. I couldn’t get rid of a small feeling of being insulted by the film.”
Idrissov is evidently unfamiliar with America. Most Americans understand the difference between a joke and an insult. To people like Idrissov, and I would include those Americans who seem to dispise our uniqueness, it might have a more unifying effect if you would learn to laugh at yourselves.
Wasn’t there anything better to talk about?
Politics,
Thanks for proving my point.
If anything the satirical comedic movie proves, it’s that much of america is still unabashed red-neck. Sadly, these red-necks are overwhelmingly republicans, hypocrites by any other name.
Andy,
You’re evidently a stupid and arrogant blue-stater, and you have it exactly backward. The movie is receiving rave reviews mostly from mainstream city-based reviewers. The red-state family oriented reviewers have panned it. The film opened on only 700-something screens in the most densely populated places, like New York and LA.
I think we should start referring to people like you as brown-neck since you spend so much of your time with your head up your ass.
forget about Borat, i just cant believe you said that Americans displayed more humility than others. If anything, the U.S.’s reputation around the world is exactly the opposite. Not to say that there arent millions of great, humble Americans who do good. Of course there are. The country would not be the power it is today without an energized citizenry. But, you should know, the impression around the world is that Americans are very much the opposite of humble. They are regarded as loud, brash, arrogant, not curious, not too informed of anything outside their own country, and generally rowdy. No offense intended.
Dave,
As we all know, reputations aren’t always deserved, and in this case I believe we don’t deserve that reputation. The attribute of humility doesn’t require that one be docile. Many of the greatist figures of history were humble in spirit but bold, outspoken and confident. Think of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and JFK.
As for those who are critisizing us, it is useful to examine what they have done to make the world a better place – that exercise would eliminate most of them.