"Denmark is a Happy but Expensive Place"

The Post Dispatch had a bit about Denmark in the travel section a few months ago. "Denmark is a Happy but Expensive Place" was well written and thoughtful, though a bit sparse on descriptions for my liking - but the author is male, after all, so what can you expect? :D It reaffirms that travel journalism is what I want to do with my life. ;)

Rick Steves, the author, briefly describes Legoland, and the cute, 'miniature golf' feeling of Denmark, before moving into an analysis of the culture. "I've been wondering how the Danes pull it off," he writes. "I think their success relates to handling the "free rider" problem through their social contract. Danes seem to keep in mind the consequences of free riders - If I do it, I can get away with it, but if everyone does it, the system will collapse. They do things considering what would happen to their society if everyone cheated on this, sued someone for that, took advantage of that technicality, or ignored a rule there. Europeans trade 'individualism' for 'socialism'. The Danes seem to take it to an extreme... But I am intrigued."

Other nice bits:

"In Denmark you have to work quite hard to find a crack to fall through. A few people with alcohol problems manage to be homeless. Yes, we are the most contented people."

"We Danes believe a family's economic status should have nothing to do with the quality of the health care or the education their children receive."

"The society is designed in a way that encourages people to use less, chew slower and just sip things."

And I learned that the Danes write "Tak for Alt" on tombstones. Awww! :,)

Overdose of Americana

Today was my first day of The Principles of American Journalism and American Government. The two classes took place roughly at the same time as the inauguration. Both of them decided to show Obama's full speech in class. The first time it was nice. The second time I kind of felt like cutting off my head. I was also getting really hungry because I didn't eat a proper breakfast.

Nevertheless, some nice lines:

"These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land -- a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights."

"Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions -- who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage."

"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."