A profound ideological gap

The great Slavoj Žižek demonstrates yet again his particular and remarkable philosophical gifts: 

In Europe, the ground floor of a building is counted as zero, so the floor above it is the first floor, while in the US, the first floor is on street level. This trivial difference indicates a profound ideological gap: Europeans are aware that, before counting starts – before decisions or choices are made – there has to be a ground of tradition, a zero level that is always already given and, as such, cannot be counted. While the US, a land with no proper historical tradition, presumes that one can begin directly with self-legislated freedom – the past is erased. What the US has to learn to take into account is the foundation of the "freedom to choose". 

Comments

[liamalpha]

Simply amazing leap of reasoning. Purely as a metaphor, this could have served. But suggesting that the different numbering actually stems from philosophy differences - that's *genius* for you.

“There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual could believe them.” - George Orwell

[No Good Boyo]

In Russia the ground floor is also called the "first floor". Over to you, Slavoj.

[TDK]

In Europe "pavement" carries the signifier of work done. It captures the idea that the land had to be paved with labour and materials - it records the blood sweat and tears and manipulation of nature. It represents a memorial to the efforts of workers past.

In comparison the US word "sidewalk" is an instruction that pedestrians must step aside to grant the privileged an unimpeded passage. A second class citizenry literally relegated to the side of society to make way for the primary class of wealthy car and truck owners. This open sore is a constant reminder of the ongoing segregation in Capitalist America today.

[Mick H]

A career as radical philosopher awaits, TDK.

[DaninVan]

So, in effect, the ground level is '0' (zero), or to put it another way, 'nothing'?
The underground parking of course becomes 'less than nothing'...

[Dom]

In the US, they park their cars on driveways, and drive on parkways -- a profoundly disturbed people.

[Recruiting Animal]

You made me laff