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Americans Are Better At Everything

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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
I had late lunch a short while ago with my buddy from Colorado and his friend visiting from Utah for a fortnight. I instantly knew I wouldn't get along with him, but had to make due. My friend went to the bathroom and I was left with this other guy. I was checking the news in the meantime and read this headline:


"100 cars in pile-up, 5 seriously injured in Kuopio."

This is the biggest and gnarliest pile-up in Finnish history and miraculously no one even died, the last big one was maybe six years ago. I think it's pretty crazy and tell this guy from Utah what happened. His reaction, I swear, was this:

"Psssh! So what, we have way bigger pile-ups like that like...every other week, that's nothing."



REALLY. Is that something to brag about? What the fuck, man.

Mar 24 2011 11:50AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
^Massachusetts had it's big dig... the Bay Area is still running on 1930's infrastructure because we're afraid to build anything else - it might get imploded in an earthquake....

Only in the bay area do you have the Caldecott tunnel... which is only a 3 bore tunnel that has to be switched out every 12 hours based on traffic flow. The thing's a demon, I tell you.
Mar 25 2011 5:36PM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
So....many....Smarts.....
Mar 25 2011 5:36PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
clearly you've never driven on 95, 93, 90, or 495
Mar 25 2011 5:41PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
There's a canadian version of the AMERICA FUCK YEAH video...

instead of planes and bombs, it's just hockey fights and hits, and shit...

and then it's like TIM HORTONS... ROGERS PHONES... LABATT BLUE... BEAVERS... CHESTERFIELDS... TUQUES... etc etc..

and shit like that. It's fucking awesome, but I have NO idea where it is.
Mar 25 2011 5:44PM
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soulskier
Posts: 17805 - Karma: 3,821
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhCZb2atJ6Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Mar 25 2011 6:52PM
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-ROY-
Posts: 3633 - Karma: 1,503
FUCK YEAH PILE UPS
Mar 25 2011 6:53PM
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Proletariat.
Posts: 1797 - Karma: 45
That sucks


Mar 25 2011 6:54PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
Every time I watch this, I just start busting up when I see the guy at 0:58 in the background...
Mar 25 2011 8:11PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
wow that statement is wrong in so many ways...and the only thing from that long ago is the golden gate bridge, which is still an engineering marvel.

Mar 25 2011 10:17PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
Bay Bridge - Opened in 1936
Golden Gate Bridge - Opened in 1937
Caldecott Tunnel - 1937
At least 2 or 3 other bridges date back to no newer than the 1950s.

Most of the 'interstates' around the bay area were just re-named after the Interstate Highway Act, with little changes done to them, and tons of overpasses are still not earthquake retrofitted.

Anything that touches the Hayward fault right now is basically doomed to get torn to shreds within the next 30 years - That includes the Caldecott Tunnel which sits right at the foot of said faultline.



Sooo... how many ways am I wrong? lol.



Mar 25 2011 10:39PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
they have retrofitted the bridges many, many times. this seems like something small to you, im sure, but infact the retrofits actually alter the way the bridge handles and distributes the loading on it making it a completely new bridge. As well, the world knew almost nothing about seismic loading before the 1950's, so everything that is affected by seismic loading has undergone extensive retrofitting. thus altering it significantly.

Caltrans is constantly re-doing the highways in the bay area...why do you think there is constant construction widening roads, and connecting overpasses.


Do you really believe that the government is really holding off on replacing infrastructure that is unsafe just because they think that it will be destroyed in the next couple decades? there is no way! everything that is still functioning is up to code, and pretty damn safe whether you want to believe it or not.


The majority of structural failures that occur during earthquakes in modernized cities are caused by below standard materials, and modifications made to structures that were never okayed by an engineer.

just because something was originally built in the 1940's doesnt mean that today its structural design is remotely the same. We have learned some stuff in the past couple decades about how to make structures safer, and we have applied that knowledge.


given, the USA's structural coding and standards is not as progressive as asia's. Its still damn good, and the quality control of the work in america is unsurpassed.
Mar 25 2011 11:13PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
Haha I guess you took me the wrong way. The retrofits wont withstand something like what just hit japan though... or any direct-hit. That's the point I'm making. They MIGHT withstand another Loma Prieta... but any "good friday quake'' kinda shit will seriously destroy everything.

I know they aren't holding off BECAUSE OF THAT, what I mean is that they aren't doing enough in my opinion to keep up with aging infrastructure that they do have, as there are still tons of spots that are underdeveloped, or they're totally slacking on. - I guess that's where you got me wrong.

It's taken them 50 years to get started on a 4th bore they needed for the caldecott back in 1970... and though the Bay Bridge is being fixed, the Richmond is in pretty poor shape, regardless of the retrofits done in the 90's.

the traffic congestion is just murderous in certain places, and due to get even worse as they keep sprawling out.

There hasn't exactly been very good city planning as far as infrastructure is concerned... it's becoming a growing problem - no pun intended.
Mar 25 2011 11:23PM
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TheStamos
Posts: 9311 - Karma: 910
Bay bridge traffic Fucking Blows!!!
Mar 26 2011 12:36AM
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TheStamos
Posts: 9311 - Karma: 910
All i know is that i dont want to be there when one of those nasty faults slip. Everytime i go into the city i think about it.Part of me wants it to happen so i can steal a sick motorcycle to get home.
Mar 26 2011 12:42AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
1) nothing can be built to effectivly withstand a hit from a 9.0...you just hope and pray

2) i agree, the nations infrastructure needs to be retrofitted/replaced at the same rate that it was originally built in the 50's. I want it to happen more than you because that will be me a job (im a CE)

3)no one cares about Richmond/Vallejo/Oakland. If it was hit with a nuke, the only noticeable effect would be a lowered crime rate in the bay area

4) traffic- I Blame the stupid fat fucks who live out in tracy because they can have a bigger house than if they actually lived near where they worked.
Mar 26 2011 1:23AM
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TheStamos
Posts: 9311 - Karma: 910
#3 . haha
#4 . Should be nuke target.
Mar 26 2011 1:27AM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
I'm guessing your e-mail from work to clients go as follows:


"HELLO MY NAME IS _____ _____ I AM A CIVIL ENGINEER NICE TO MEET YOU PLEASE LET ME RETROFIT YOUR HOUSE FOR AN EARTHQUAKE!"


..imagined in this guy's voice:



Mar 26 2011 4:00AM
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bermbuster49
Posts: 7445 - Karma: 90
fin drivers > American drivers


its a fact, they have a way better driver education program, i mean everyone over there has to spend time on a skid pad to get their licence, now think of all the people in the U.S. that have no idea what to do when they start sliding on the road.

Mar 26 2011 8:55AM
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JibbinTheEAST
Posts: 122 - Karma: 14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vet2tVNmZHo
Mar 26 2011 9:32AM
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JibbinTheEAST
Posts: 122 - Karma: 14
how you do that fancy video stuff
Mar 26 2011 9:37AM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
Hmm...well I know nothing about the programme in the US (haven't really asked my buddies) so enlighten me of the standard test needed and I'll tell you how we do.



For a Finnish person to get a license, you have to be 18 years old. You can however begin learning already six months before you turn 18, so basically you can, with some luck, turn 18 and get your temporary license on the same day.


I got my license in '05 and to get it, I had to take 20 hours of theory, 30 hours of driving lessons, including 4 hours on a slippery/ice track , a visual theory exam and finally, the Driver's Test.

The theory exam consists of 10 questions (multiple answers) and 50 pictures ("Is the driver driving lawfully?" -Yes or No etc.) You can only mess up thrice on the questions and eight times on the pictures, you only have 10 seconds for each point, it's pretty stressful.

Before the test, you have to get checked by a doctor for your vision, health and so on.

The Driver's Test is done by a DMW official, and it can be in length between 15 minutes to an hour. It is done by cruising around the city/where you live, usually taking you to known "hard spots" and parallel parking is a must-have skill by then. I for one, failed on my first try, in the last roundabout before going back to the station, fuck me. Went a bit too fast, it was icy and I slid into the cross-section almost nailing a farmer Volvo. That meant 4 more driving lessons and then I could try again and aced it.

After you get your temporary license, you have to complete the 2nd stage of your license in the two following years, which includes one day at the slippery track again, a little driving around and a night-driving lesson. Then you finally receive your full license which is valid for...what, 40 years I guess.

So that's how you get your license in Finland, and it costs roughly 2000 US dollars.



Mar 26 2011 9:56AM
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apcaipse
Posts: 2168 - Karma: 25
Holy fuck that's hard.

In Ohio, I got my temps at 15 1/2, and all I needed for that was to take a test that I got a 100 on without studying. Then you have to drive 50 hours and sign an affidavit that you did it, but most highschoolers I know just sign it and turn it in, then you take a driving test that usually about 5 minutes long and is superbly easy.
Mar 26 2011 2:43PM
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mozzy
Posts: 1034 - Karma: 60
A tough test in Germany as well, running around 2000 USD for a new license, around 700 USD for exchanging a license.

But like many things in life, it depends on the driving instructor. If you develop a good relationship with him/her, it may mean the difference between a 20 minute driving exam and a 2 hour one. I had the 20 minute version.

Mar 26 2011 3:24PM
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vailsux.com
Posts: 1769 - Karma: 440
That sucks, i got my license for 30 bucks.
Mar 26 2011 4:35PM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
I think there's definitely some air in the pricing, as the lessons cost about 80% of all costs, but it's also an adequate deterrent/filter so not everyone who has 30 bucks lying around can just get up and start zooming around.
Mar 26 2011 4:38PM
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ORDEAL
Posts: 6386 - Karma: 75
Dude, Illinois has the worst drivers imaginable. Utah isnt that bad
Mar 26 2011 4:39PM
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Proletariat.
Posts: 1797 - Karma: 45
mine cost 17
Mar 26 2011 5:20PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
1: Not true.

2: Word.

3: You're another one of those idiots? Really? Have you ever spent any time in these places other than reading about them in the paper? There's just as much violent crime in other cities, its just those are the cities where a majority of BROWN people are, and people freak the fuck out and the media jumps on the bandwagon...

4: Bedroom communities are retarded.
Mar 26 2011 5:36PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,683
Any driver from scandanavia > all other drivers...
Mar 26 2011 5:37PM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
Definitely wouldn't underline that...

Even with the large amounts of practice that I detailed in a previous posts we have an insane amount of reckless drivers, people who are surprised by the winter. Every. Fucking. Year.

The amount of practice also creates the illusion that a newbie driver is in perfect control of their car from minute one.
Mar 30 2011 1:59PM
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Fluttershy
Posts: 586 - Karma: 763
hes one of those douchebags that have to 1 up everybodies stories. there so annoying tbh
Mar 30 2011 2:33PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 269
the south is awesome, you just have to go to the right places and its like going back to the 1800's.
Mar 30 2011 3:04PM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,304

fuck i hate 93 and 90 more than anything in the world..im gladly paying high rent to live in teh city just so i dont have to worry about commuting in everday, those roads are fucking horrendous

how the retard engineers got away with making the mass pike a 2 lane road for a quarter miles stretch after the tolls is beyond me..why the fuck would you bottleneck a 4 lane highway into a 2 lane shitstorm

Mar 30 2011 3:14PM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
Pic partially related.

Click for larger image
Mar 31 2011 2:45PM
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Juice.Doctor
Posts: 2791 - Karma: 293
AMERICA
IS THE
BEST
Mar 31 2011 2:57PM
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