Why does South Africa set such low standards for everything?

[Nicci]

Lol, I do like South Africa a lot, but Americans simply beat us is all

I know They got bacon on their whoppers

 

[AfricanTech]

Oh to be so young again.

Fly Eagle, Fly



Chris Barnard, Elon Musk, Mark Shuttleworth

 

[captainEO]

I know They got bacon on their whoppers

I know right!

 

[juBa]

This is a genuine question. And this seemed like the best place to ask it

It's like this country has the lowest bar for nearly everything, which makes it a pain to live here. I feel like I'm robbed of opportunities that I could have had if born/lived elsewhere.

For example:
1. Our high production TV series/films are mediocre - they're like TV movies in the US
And box office in this country is incredibly irrelevant

2. A decent music industry doesn't exist here - there are no famous festivals, there's minimal music coverage, and there isn't any creativity to music. I wish we could have bands like the Clash here in South Africa

3. Everything culturally is just dull. It's unlike the USA, where you'll find massive subgroups of people - hipsters, hippies, etc. It's like all the defining movements of generations occur there

4. I recently looked at video game sales, and over the course of several months, the amount of consoles sold in this country were a fraction of the amount sold in the US in 1!!

5. Lack of skyline, or skyline development in most cities. Taiwan, Thailand, and China all destroy us in that regard. Look at Shanghai! I wished I lived there! I wish I could see that here.

6. Our universities are quite lame compared to the ones you find overseas. Only UCT ranks internationally. And, besides none of the unis here are privately funded, can you imagine?

This is just a tiny representation of how low standards are here. It's like there isn't a feeling in this country that we should strive for greatness, to push ourselves beyond any fathomable limits, and it's like everyone's just okay with this mediocrity, or averageness.

But really, why it really upsets me is because I want to be a web developer/internet entrepreneur, and it's just so disappointing. I look at Silicon Valley, and then I look here, and it's an utter joke. It's honestly like nobody *****ing tries here.

There are only 5 million internet users here, a 10% penetration, versus America's 80%
Internet companies there get billion dollar valuations, and get sold for similar amounts - Instagram, Waze, Tumblr
And I'm *****ing stuck here, where I'll never reach a satisfying level.

I'm jealous of Americans. They come from a history of innovation and excellence. It's like everything happens there. It'd be so cool to know that a billion dollar company was started in your city, neighbourhood, or street by someone just like you. I'm so jealous.

Why isn't it like that here? Why can't South Africans be leaders? Do you ever feel grated by this country's lack of distinguishment?

I like this country, but I just wish it wouldn't limit me.

I know exactly what you mean... But be the change you want to see. (I know that's cheesy but its true). Dont let your surroundings limit you. if you draw inspiration from American businesses/businessmen then read their biography's, study, research and learn from them and then implement that in South Africa.

South Africa is really a great place, its still young in the business world and there is ample space in the various industries to create/ bring over ideas from overseas to our "expanding" market spaces.

And there are truly some great innovators and businessmen in this country btw. Take Ludwick Marishane for example, while he was in high school he invented the dryBath and look at him now. He is only one of many examples of South Africans who never said they don't we have this or they didn't teach me that etc etc. They instead decided to just go for it.

Who knows, maybe someday you will be a big player in the South African eCommerce space and some guy in a 3rd world country will say, why arent our unis, people, government, cities, businesses/ businessmen as good as South Africa. Everything must start somewhere. And if Government is slow then think of ways to bypass them.

Best of luck man in whatever you're after.

 

[captainEO]

Oh to be so young again.

Fly Eagle, Fly



Chris Barnard, Elon Musk, Mark Shuttleworth

Well, those guys are great, but it's a shame that there's so few of them.

Also Elon Musk doesn't seem very proudly South African. He never really mentions it. And he, too found most of his success in the States

 

[AfricanTech]

Well, those guys are great, but it's a shame that there's so few of them.

Also Elon Musk doesn't seem very proudly South African. He never really mentions it. And he, too found most of his success in the States

Ok then.

Good luck.

 

[Re83L]

Lol, I do like South Africa a lot, but Americans simply beat us is all

At first I tried to help, now I'm going to give a harder truth:
The fact that you're searching for excuses says you've already failed.
All the men you named (Jobs, Zuckerberg, Gates) had something they were passionate about, andthat's what made them rich.. Their initial intention wasn't to get rich.

Your intention is to get rich and succeed, not to follow a passion like these okes.
IN the world of finances, the sad thing is that those who chases wealth never finds it, only those who chases excellence in what they do will find it, and as a by-product to their dedication.

ALL Americans aren't better than us, rather say that about yourself...

 

[Chevron]

At first I tried to help, now I'm going to give a harder truth:
The fact that you're searching for excuses says you've already failed.
All the men you named (Jobs, Zuckerberg, Gates) had something they were passionate about, andthat's what made them rich.. Their initial intention wasn't to get rich.

Your intention is to get rich and succeed, not to follow a passion like these okes.
IN the world of finances, the sad thing is that those who chases wealth never finds it, only those who chases excellence in what they do will find it, and as a by-product to their dedication.

ALL Americans aren't better than us, rather say that about yourself...

True. Microsoft started in a garage.

Imagine if they said, well we don't have an office, so let's just not do it.

 

[AfricanTech]

True. Microsoft started in a garage.

Imagine if they said, well we don't have an office, so let's just not do it.

As did Apple.

And Jobs sold his Volksiebus to pay for the first consignment of parts

Why am I bothering actually , must be the fatigue...

 

[captainEO]

I know exactly what you mean... But be the change you want to see. (I know that's cheesy but its true). Dont let your surroundings limit you. if you draw inspiration from American businesses/businessmen then read their biography's, study, research and learn from them and then implement that in South Africa.

South Africa is really a great place, its still young in the business world and there is ample space in the various industries to create/ bring over ideas from overseas to our "expanding" market spaces.

And there are truly some great innovators and businessmen in this country btw. Take Ludwick Marishane for example, while he was in high school he invented the dryBath and look at him now. He is only one of many examples of South Africans who never said they don't we have this or they didn't teach me that etc etc. They instead decided to just go for it.

Who knows, maybe someday you will be a big player in the South African eCommerce space and some guy in a 3rd world country will say, why arent our unis, people, government, cities, businesses/ businessmen as good as South Africa. Everything must start somewhere. And if Government is slow then think of ways to bypass them.

Best of luck man in whatever you're after.

Thanks for the advice.

I agree that I should be that which I want to see. This country needs work in some spaces, and I'm willing to be the one to bring about that improvement.

I also recognize that there are quite a few great figures here. Ludwick Marishane seems quite interesting

I guess I'll try to develop as much as I can here first before leaving, and then I could come back later

Ok then.

Good luck.

Well, thanks

 

[captainEO]

At first I tried to help, now I'm going to give a harder truth:
The fact that you're searching for excuses says you've already failed.
All the men you named (Jobs, Zuckerberg, Gates) had something they were passionate about, andthat's what made them rich.. Their initial intention wasn't to get rich.

Your intention is to get rich and succeed, not to follow a passion like these okes.
IN the world of finances, the sad thing is that those who chases wealth never finds it, only those who chases excellence in what they do will find it, and as a by-product to their dedication.

ALL Americans aren't better than us, rather say that about yourself...

I understand that, but I'm sure everyone wants some level of success.

I think I have a lot of passion for the website I'm currently making, and I genuinely believe in it. I want to finish making it because I think it can become something important

And I'm prompted to leave so that I can fulfill this vision of what I want it to be. I want to be successful with it because I'm passionate about it

 

[Turbo_Aspiration]

I understand that, but I'm sure everyone wants some level of success.

I think I have a lot of passion for the website I'm currently making, and I genuinely believe in it. I want to finish making it because I think it can become something important

And I'm prompted to leave so that I can fulfill this vision of what I want it to be. I want to be successful with it because I'm passionate about it

You do realise that the whole point of the internet (where I assume your website will live) is not having to "leave" or go anywhere right?

 

[captainEO]

You do realise that the whole point of the internet (where I assume your website will live) is not having to "leave" or go anywhere right?

Yeah, but it will eventually become a business or a startup, and I think the best location for it to develop the most would be San Francisco/Silicon Valley, where everything is tech focused.

 

[visrot]

One must admit that the Americans have a much higher positive attitude. They have an absolute winning culture. They believe they've already won while the race has not even started yet. That's how much they want to win.

Back in SA we bitch..

 

[captainEO]

One must admit that the Americans have a much higher positive attitude. They have an absolute winning culture. They believe they've already won while the race has not even started yet. That's how much they want to win.

Back in SA we bitch..

Yeah, there's truth to that

 

[Turbo_Aspiration]

Yeah, but it will eventually become a business or a startup, and I think the best location for it to develop the most would be San Francisco/Silicon Valley, where everything is tech focused.

But it's a website?
You'll need an already thriving business to afford office space in Silicon Valley - nevermind to get investors to even look at you.

You're making it sound like the only way to get anything done is to go there right now.

 

[Turbo_Aspiration]

Yeah, there's truth to that

You have to appreciate the irony there

 

[captainEO]

But it's a website?
You'll need an already thriving business to afford office space in Silicon Valley - nevermind to get investors to even look at you.

You're making it sound like the only way to get anything done is to go there right now.

Yeah, I understand that. I thought I'd first complete my site (like a Beta release maybe) and then save a bit of money so that I could relocate there. And then I'd form the company and create a physical presence there, rather than here.

 

[captainEO]

You have to appreciate the irony there

Lol, that's somewhat unfortunate

 

[Chevron]

Yeah, I understand that. I thought I'd first complete my site (like a Beta release maybe) and then save a bit of money so that I could relocate there. And then I'd form the company and create a physical presence there, rather than here.

If you were really serious about it, you'd be doing it now instead of just talking about doing it. Hence you are now called troll.

It's like you created this thread to bash SA. For what?