We're not #1!

[Hologram]

Click image to enlarge.

[bbqpenguin]

but if there was an awesomeness rating, we'd win that

[Hologram]

That we would.

[MeDeFe]

I like Nordic countries. Only three lists where there isn't at least one in the top3.

[TeeGee]

and you are really surprised?

[Nobunaga]

... I am curious as to how "Democracy" and "Freedom of the Press" were measured. How were hard numbers put to these?

... Life expectancy, easy enough to rank.

...

[MeDeFe]

... I am curious as to how "Democracy" and "Freedom of the Press" were measured. How were hard numbers put to these?

... Life expectancy, easy enough to rank.

...

I suppose the transparency of government agencies plays a role, how easy it is to participate in elections, whether there's discrimination against certain groups or not.

[WidowMakers]

Iceland has 1000 times less people than the USA (307,000 to 300,000,000 people). It is always easier to govern and work with less people. Less problems. Less "potential" to draw on the system. I mean look how efficeint a small company can be and then look at a HUGE company. Organization is easier.

There is always more waste and inefficiencies the larger a group of people get.

[DaGip]

but if there was an awesomeness rating, we'd win that

We would also win the one with the most Nucular Weapons...

[yeti_c]

but if there was an awesomeness rating, we'd win that

We would also win the one with the most Nucular Weapons...

However you wouldn't win the one for literacy.

C.

[DaGip]

Iceland has 1000 times less people than the USA (307,000 to 300,000,000 people). It is always easier to govern and work with less people. Less problems. Less "potential" to draw on the system. I mean look how efficeint a small company can be and then look at a HUGE company. Organization is easier.

There is always more waste and inefficiencies the larger a group of people get.

There is also the greater potential for a smaller system to go belly up:

http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/ ... es_ba.html

[DaGip]

but if there was an awesomeness rating, we'd win that

We would also win the one with the most Nucular Weapons...

However you wouldn't win the one for literacy.

C.

SHUT UP! OR I WILL PUNCH YOU IN THE FACE!

[yeti_c]

SHUT UP! OR I WILL PUNCH YOU IN THE FACE!

You shouldn't start a sentence with "Or".

C.

[Genghis Khant]

but if there was an awesomeness rating, we'd win that

I doubt it, although you would do very well on obesity, social & economic disparity, arrogance and pollution.

[Backglass]

Yeah NOBODY likes it over here! People are leaving in droves! It's awful! Oh the humanity!



(Make sure you say hello when you come for your next vacation!)

[yeti_c]

Yeah NOBODY likes it over here! People are leaving in droves! It's awful! Oh the humanity!



(Make sure you say hello when you come for your next vacation!)

The only time I've been to America was to get to New Zealand.

C.

[Backglass]

Yeah NOBODY likes it over here! People are leaving in droves! It's awful! Oh the humanity!



(Make sure you say hello when you come for your next vacation!)

The only time I've been to America was to get to New Zealand.

C.

Sorry to hear that. Maybe next time you can stay awhile and suffer alongside us miserable Americans

[mpjh]

but if there was an awesomeness rating, we'd win that

We would also win the one with the most Nucular Weapons...

However you wouldn't win the one for literacy.

C.

SHUT UP! OR I WILL PUNCH YOU IN THE FACE!

Nor would we win for creativity.

[Snorri1234]

... I am curious as to how "Democracy" and "Freedom of the Press" were measured. How were hard numbers put to these?

... Life expectancy, easy enough to rank.

...

I suppose the transparency of government agencies plays a role, how easy it is to participate in elections, whether there's discrimination against certain groups or not.

Yup I think so, and maybe also how votes count. WIth people needing to register to vote and the winner takes all thing it's really not a suprise that the US doesn't rank very high.

[TheProwler]

What's the source of this?

www.bullshitstats.com?

[heavycola]

Iceland has 1000 times less people than the USA (307,000 to 300,000,000 people). It is always easier to govern and work with less people. Less problems. Less "potential" to draw on the system. I mean look how efficeint a small company can be and then look at a HUGE company. Organization is easier.

There is always more waste and inefficiencies the larger a group of people get.

Which explains the presence of Japan, India, Russia and Brazil at the top of those lists. You can't play the size card. The US is punching well below its weight, and we all know about America's weight problem.
Also, evolution.

[Nickbaldwin]

Survival of the fattest it aint....

[Frigidus]

Iceland has 1000 times less people than the USA (307,000 to 300,000,000 people). It is always easier to govern and work with less people. Less problems. Less "potential" to draw on the system. I mean look how efficeint a small company can be and then look at a HUGE company. Organization is easier.

There is always more waste and inefficiencies the larger a group of people get.

Which explains the presence of Japan, India, Russia and Brazil at the top of those lists. You can't play the size card. The US is punching well below its weight, and we all know about America's weight problem.
Also, evolution.

I imagine that bit is a big reason we rate low in scientific literacy.

[Nickbaldwin]

Simple solution. Cull the tards and the fatties.

America is saved.

[mpjh]

OK, Nick, you've been culled. Please report to Congo at your earliest convenience.