Why?
Except those who like to complain about things, but do nothing to change anything. All talk, all complaints, that's all it is.
Baron Max
Extinct Languages
- Thread starter Orleander
- Start date
Why?
Except those who like to complain about things, but do nothing to change anything. All talk, all complaints, that's all it is.
Baron Max
It's not an issue I'm compassionate about. And I'm not complaining. It's just sad. like the burning of the library of Alexandria. Lost knowledge. Lost potential.
As Baron asked, "why?"
I've read the previous posts by fraggle et al, and it leaves me wondering why we value this "cultural heritage" so much? It's not at all like preserving biodiversity, which directly affects all creatures and habitats and provides a rich source of biochemical compounds for medical research among other things.
"cultural heritage" be it dances, ways of dress, religious practices, or ways of speaking are purely human inventions with no inherent value. Other than, as fraggle noted, it's interesting to some people, making it out to be somesort of crisis is rediculous and I wouldn't spend one dime on it.
Enmos
Valued Senior Member
What good is it, Sam? And I mean that sincerely ...I'd like a reasonable answer to that reasonable question.
As I see it, some of the greatest problems in the world have been caused by this thing we call "cultural heritage". Yet I've never seen or heard or read anyone actually give rational reasons for what good it is to anyone.
Why should anyone value some other people's culture? Again, it's a reasonable question ....can you give any reasonable answers for it?
And I'm curious, Sam, do you value the southern USA red-neck, gun-toting, beer-guzzlin', NASCAR-lovin', racist culture? If not, why not????
Baron Max
Poor sam. Your mind reading abilities are slipping.
I like my own culture over all others. I have as much cultural heritage as you do. You are no different from anyone else in that regard. The length of so-called "cultural history" of a people does nothing more than bolster the egos of the present generation. Your culture is what it is.
And actually, I value "culture" (i.e. the social customs and traditions of a people) other than my own, not one fucking bit. I don't want to learn about other cultures. I don't want to tolerate other cultures. I certainly don't want "cultural integration"! What a stupid idea that is! "Let's mix our culture with others thus blurring the identity of our own". Idiotic.
I've come to realize that I'm a xenophobe. I share that glorious trait with all of my human and non-human ancestors.
You sam, are a trip. You value multiculturalism above everything. What a self-defeating and contradictory stance.
Like I said, I have as much cultural heritage as you do. I care about my own very much, as I siad.
Your reading comprehension skills are also dwindling.
Do you consider the Native American and Amish culture as part of "your' culture? What about the culture of Mexicans, Germans, Irish immigrants? Is it "your culture"? Would you prefer all these "cultures" be eliminated?
All of this eco and cultural adoration we seem to have is a result of some percieved moral superiority we possess.I don't believe this...
Are you trippin ? :bugeye:
Except for very practical reasons (like not killing ourselves off with polution or extinguishing potentially useful species - which currently I would include all of them) what reason is there to not take full advantage of the resources around us and spread our own culture as much as possible? It's pure survival.
Logically and practically, denying the use of an animal resource or embracing some other culture is completey pointless and counterproductive to the advancement of your own.
People like sam adopt this persona of ultra-tolerance and sophisticated moral "respect" and a "concerned interest" in all things. Makes for a very likable person. Pretentious and false, but likable.
Who said anything about eliminated?
And no, I don't consider any of those part of my current culture. I'm American. They may have played a part in the past, but so what? Seriously, who cares? If these cultures can stand in the face of the vast movements of humanity throughout space and time, then bully for them. If not, who cares?
I despise Amish culture. Rampant inbreeeding/incest, draconian rule by the "father" of the family, complete reliance on rediculous religious principles for just about everything... irish culture? Just look at ireland. Germans have some admirable traits to look at. I loath mexican and hispanic culture in particular.
Which totally explains why its the "spread themselves around" that survive the longest. Hmm?
Enmos
Valued Senior Member
Don't get it.
And as I said, I love my own culture.
Read my sentence again. I group all animals as potentially useful and therfore they should not be "killed off".Well, what do you suppose happens when we kill of all animals.. hmm ?
Apparently, evolution favors assimilation. Isolationism is a sure fire route to extinction. Its a lesson the Asians, the Africans, even to some extent the Arabians have learned. Which is why they have continuity and survival. For some reason, this lesson eludes the Westerners, which is why they keep going round in circles, even culturally and spend a lot of time (and people) trying to assert themselves.
Of course previously the advantages of distance kept them safe from being on the receiving end of Eastern cultural ethics, which is why they were able to continue in the same vein (or else, they simply used economic advantages gained from imperialism to wipe out or decimate those who did have those ethics, like the 40,000 year old Australian aborigines, or the Native American and Mayan civilisation).
Now of course, the war of opposites has come home to roost and short of outright home grown violence, there is very little they can do to avoid assimilation. I think this is one reason why so many fear it.
Enmos
Valued Senior Member
Well, I guess it bothers me that they have to be 'useful' to not be killed.