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Generalizations inaccurate

To the editor,

I'm writing in response to John A. Ward's article, "Where is the American Renaissance Man?"

While I partially agree with John's assessment about the intellectual "might" of today's generation, or lack of therefore, at the same time I feel that I should stand up for my fellow Americans. Presently I'm studying at Uppsala Universitet in Sweden. Having been in Europe for the past two months, I have noticed that most European students are more cultured and possess a higher degree of intellect than their American counterparts. This is not to say, however, that I could not have an intellectual conversation in America. On the contrary, I have had many with my family and friends. It really depends on whom you surround yourself with, one's associates. Not everyone in Sweden or Europe for that matter, are cultured, a corridor mate of mine is quite uncouth. Like John, I have had great intellectual conversations about the arts, politics, and philosophy with friends of mine from Germany, France, Greece, and so forth. But, most of the time it's about European affairs, which is what I expected being in Europe.

I think as Americans we presuppose that Europeans are somewhat better. While in practice this may be true, one must consider that it is in Europe where a good portion of mankind's political, artistic, architectural, etc., roots have been formed. Being American's, this is particularly important because most American's come from some European heritage. That, and one should also note that the United States is just a toddler in the history of countries and governments. 200+ years, compared to almost a 1000+ years for countries like England and France, is hardly significant. The United States has come along way since it's formation, but we still have much more to do. Also, most Europeans find Europe to be quite droll, simply because they live it every day. Just as someone from New York is amazed by Arizona's desert landscape, seeing it everyday we think nothing of it. The same concept applies to Europeans.

Maybe as Americans we do think we are great, many of friends here sense my pride about being an American. Perhaps we are a little arrogant, but hey it works for the French! Don't give up on the youth of America just yet. Europe as the center of politics, the arts, and philosophy has been around much longer than the United States; they have a little more practice at it. Don't worry John, you don't have to travel 9,000 miles to have an intellectual conversation, isn't that what university is for after all?

Eric A. Hochstatter

Political science and history junior