Though I think it might be time to revisit "-world" definitions, because countries with dysfunctional unstable governments, marginal infrastructures, robber baron/colonialist economies, or your classic 'failed states' (cf Somalia, Haiti, North Korea, Afghanistan, East Timor) surely deserve a lower gradation than Third.

My link upthread addresses that, although there are a couple of differing definitions for fourth world. One is another economic tier and the other is for indigenous populations.

Not knowing anything about the world, basically, I will stick to what I do know:

I KNOW! Did you see the one where the guy was stalking the woman through her Facebook page? I immediately signed out of Facebook and vowed never to check in any where.

Oh, I would never! I feel like a stalker when people I know use Foursquare, and it's not even my fault.

I've been challenged or questioned on the 3rd world thing more times than makes sense. Of course I'm not wrong. But I don't find it flattering that people stop at the stereotype of my home, and incomprehensible that they think they are right where I am not.

I feel like a stalker when people I know use Foursquare, and it's not even my fault.

A literary agent in California somewhere was assaulted this week by an author she rejected.

So even after you correct them, people continue to challenge you? More proof that (some) people are no damn good. And no, not at all flattering.

A literary agent in California somewhere was assaulted this week by an author she rejected.

See second sentence in comment above.

A literary agent in California somewhere was assaulted this week by an author she rejected.

People are literally the worst.

I don't know how much a compromise can do. If we are discussing lunch, and I want Italian, and you want Mexican we can probably work something out. But If you want Mexican, and I suggest tire rims and anthrax, at that point you might reconsider who you want to eat lunch with - and certainly would not try to find a compromise.

If we're talking lunch and you suggest tire rims and anthrax? The voters ought to never voted you into office but since they did, damn well better vote you out. Otherwise? We deserve the people we elect. I would be horrified to be a Republican and hear people from my party say their only goal was not letting the President of the United States accomplish anything. I'd be horrified if Democrats said it as well. It's petty and it cripples our country. It's not, but it should be criminal to be elected to office and your only goal is to make sure nothing happens just because you or your party is having a toddler meltdown that they can't control all of the toys all of the time.

Edit: Or what Jesse said, "People are literally the worst."

Oh, speaking of literally, on the menu where I had dinner last night was "literally fried octopus." We couldn't figure out if they meant it was literally fried, or literally octopus. Or if they meant something else entirely, of course.

You didn't order it to find out? Or did that not clarify matters?