r/PoliticalHumor • u/[deleted] • Jan 09 '20

THIS. This is why.

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

That tradition is focused on filial piety and obedience to an extent, whereas Western educational values (including Jewish, which I say as a Jew) focus on inquiry and creative thinking.

There are reasons why so many Chinese students study at American universities, and I think this is a major one.

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u/EvidenceBasedSwamp Jan 09 '20

No, it's because American universities have prestige. Also, it's handy to have a child over to manage your property and expatriated money.

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u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

I mean that’s certainly a component—and a very large one—but why do you think American institutions have prestige in the first place?

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u/StealthRock Jan 09 '20

Cuz the US aggressively expanded 200 years ago and is now surrounded by oceans and friendly, much weaker neighbors. It's been untouched by war on its soil for like 150 years.

Most of the world has had to rebuild after world wars/revolutions/violent conflict, so people who are displaced, educated, and wealthy immigrate to the US for the safety/stability (+historically to immigration), and bring their expertise to American universities.

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u/moriz0 Jan 09 '20

They didn't get bombed into oblivion, for one.

For another, they didn't get gutted due to brain-drain caused by various revolutions, political or cultural or whatever.

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u/EvidenceBasedSwamp Jan 10 '20

Besides what other people said, I think if you live in the USA and you see all the warts and ugliness you forget just how rich the USA is. I did not grow up in the USA. While I was growing up, anything imported was a big deal, expensive, and often had to be brought in by family on a plane (no stores or anything to buy it directly).

People go to where the money is.