[serious] Why is the UK so amazing?

[Tupac Shakur]

Some data to consider...

GDP (PPP) per capita in US $2010 IMF Data

The UK would be the poorest of all the Anglo countries if it wasn't for New Zealand, the most stubbornly English of all the former colonies. Even the Irish are more successful, despite centuries of British oppression and the fact that the UK stole a sixth of their island. The British started the Industrial Revolution, conquered an empire on which the sun never set, and twice held off the Germans long enough for the Americans to save them, but now they can only outperform a bunch of sheep-shagging Kiwis. When and why did the United Kingdom turn into such a massive failure?

I ask that all replies be of a serious nature, please.

[Tupac Shakur]

Orwellian moderation...

[MikeH]

I fixed the title for you.

[Kuciwalker]

That's your explanation?

xpost

[C0ckney]

mike h

[giblets]

Why are we only comparing the UK to the countries that have the most cultural similarities to it?

[Tupac Shakur]

Seems like the fairest comparison. The fact that the Germans, Dutch, and Scandinavians are all richer than the British could always be attributed to cultural differences.

[Kitschum]

Now separate Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland...

[MikeH]

Why are we only comparing the UK to the countries that have the most cultural similarities to it?

OUCH!

Tupac, that's how you insult a Brit.

[Asher]

Ireland outranks the UK? LOL. Zing.

[Asher]

The reason the US number is so high is all of the illegals (like useful versions of Ben: Mexican laborers, etc) not counting towards the capita but contributing towards the GDP.

[MikeH]

Serious answer - Banking crisis (caused by shoddy American banking standards!) knocked our GDP from 2.8 Trillian in 2007 to 2.175 Trillian in 2009, which is a much bigger proportional dip than in America, and it's about $9,000 per person off the GDP.

So basically it's KrazyHorse's fault.

[Kitschum]

Those Trillians, what do they convert to in more common currency such as ICQs and AIMs?

[MikeH]

Directly equate to 1 facebook chat.

[Tupac Shakur]

Serious answer - Banking crisis (caused by shoddy American banking standards!) knocked our GDP from 2.8 Trillian in 2007 to 2.175 Trillian in 2009, which is a much bigger proportional dip than in America, and it's about $9,000 per person off the GDP.

So basically it's KrazyHorse's fault.

The banking crisis is why you lag behind Ireland?

I wouldn't even bother comparing yourself to the US. Concentrate on passing the Irish so you can take a crack at the Canadians...