I am watching "Rick Steves' Iran" on PBS right now and, though well meaning he seems kind of dumb/ignorant, and a lot of "I am surprised Iranians are humans, too". This could be just a byproduct of visiting a non-European culture, but I thought he was some travel savant. Are his European travels better?
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>Are his European travels better?
Yes. Rick is the Bob Ross of travel. Super chill, super comfy, provided he’s visiting a white country.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Steves#Political_and_civic_advocacy
>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Steves#Political_and_civic_advocacy
>"I think we're 300million people and if we lose a few hundred people a year to terrorists, that doesn't change who we are and it shouldn't change the fabric of our society. Frankly I think we should get used to losing—as long as we're taking the stance in the world of being the military superpower, you're going to have people nipping at you. And if it's hundreds or thousands—we lose 15,000people a year to have the right to bear arms and most people think that's a good deal, year after year. We spend 15,000people for the right to bear arms. What do we spend to be as aggressive and heavy weight on this planet? We're always going to have terrorism."
Based argument for 2nd amendment, civil liberties, and American hegemony.
Typical zioboomer. Would gladly sent his grandchildren off to die for Israel.
Does he have an Israel tour guide?
>though well meaning he seems kind of dumb/ignorant, and a lot of "I am surprised Iranians are humans, too"
It's a persuasion/educational technique. He could say "Iranians are humans too" and then show evidence of it. This would feel agenda-driven or preachy. Instead, you're shown evidence of Iranians being human and Rick observing with an open mind and coming to the realization that Iranians are just like you and me.
That kind of thing is part of Rick's shtick. Watch the Amsterdam episode when he visits the cannabis coffee shop. He lets the local coffee shop worker explain Dutch marijuana policy and acts as the open minded traveler. Rick is chairman of the board at NORML. The dude has a position already, but you wouldn't know it from the show, and, if you're someone who didn't previously have a position on marijuana use, you might now be more open to legalization than if he beat you over the head with his position.
You also have to remember the historical context here. I don't think zoomers get how much negatively perceived Iran was. When that special was shot, W was still president, and Iran was part of the "Axis of Evil". People Rick's age and over remember the so-called hostage crisis and the disastrous special forces operation trying to extract them. They remember the Iran-Iraq war, where the US was on the side of Iraq. It would be kind of like if Rick released a Russia special today.
I'm actually an elder millenial. Hit the big 40 this year. Never seen Rick Steves outside of this board before now. I knew of him, but never consumed him. My typical travel shows have been food travel, like Anthony Bourdain or Gordan Ramsay, or Nature/Adventure travel shows like Dominic Monaghan's "Wild Things".
I get that. He's playing to his audience, but he hinslef is more versed. Are his travel guides any good/worthwhile, or are they as boomer targeted, as well?
1987 master race here
I used his downloadable audio tours in Rome and Pompeii this past summer with the wife. They were interesting, and free. Get the books at the library or used book store. Saw others with them here and there and in air bnb book shelves too. Brought the ITA-ENG dict, used it everyday.
>I thought he was some travel savant
he produces a lot of content and doesn't paywall it, so he's liked, but his advice is specifically for boomers who are otherwise afraid to leave america
>Are his European travels better
depends on the country, he has a lot of american guilt, can also see it in his cuba trip
find he's better background noise than advice
I've only watched the ones where he travels through Europe, but they are comfy
>Iranians are humans
Did he actually scientifically confirm this? I have my doubts
He did, in fact, which probably means he banged one. Is he pro prostitution/sex tourism? I've heard here he's a stoner.
he's gay.
But he has a son
Does he go anywhere beyond Europe, Iran aside?