News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Operation Serenata de Amor – An AI project to analyze public spending in Brazil. Parent comment

Re:Operation Serenata de Amor – An AI project to analyze pub... by random42_ on Tuesday March 06, 2018 @03:09PM (#16531642)
Like the others already explained, "vira-latas" is a portuguese term for a stray dog and the idea that they need to flip trash cans to try to find food.

However, there is also an expression (whose origin was also explained) that means "Mongrel complex (Complexo de vira-Lata in Portuguese), which is an expression used to refer to a collective inferiority complex felt by some Brazilian people in comparison to Europe or the United States."[0]

Contrary to what was said here, the term coined by Nelson Rodrigues was not exclusive related to soccer. According to him: "By "Mongrel Complex" I mean the inferiority in which Brazilians put themselves, voluntarily, in comparison to the rest of the world. Brazilians are the reverse Narcissus, who spit in their own image. Here is the truth: we can't find personal or historical pretexts for self-esteem."[0]

[0] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongrel_complex

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Operation Serenata de Amor – An AI project to analyze pub... by triangleman on Tuesday March 06, 2018 @05:22PM (#16532636)
Interesting concept, the "reverse Narcissus", especially in this case. Because you see, in the same breath as they complain about their country, Brazilians will tell you that "God is a Brazilian".

Perhaps jingoism and mongrelism are two sides of the same coin. It would certainly explain how Trump got elected after a campaign based on complaining about his own country.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Operation Serenata de Amor – An AI project to analyze pub... by random42_ on Tuesday March 06, 2018 @09:15PM (#16533840)
It's an interesting fact--anecdotally, of course--that as much as they complain about the country, they won't let anyone from outside to do the same thing.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Operation Serenata de Amor – An AI project to analyze pub... by triangleman on Thursday March 08, 2018 @04:47AM (#16543392)
Excuse me that's "God is Brazilian"
[ Parent | on HN ]