2010년 11월 28일 일요일

What should society do for “uncivilized cultures” like the Sawi?

What should society do for “uncivilized cultures” like the Sawi?



Now, I know this isn't the Sawi Culture, but the question asked for uncivilized. This was the first thing I thought of. To get to the question, I feel like society should not just give cultures like the Sawi the modern world on a platter all at once. I saw this because I came to Korea, and everything changed for me all at once. Everything I knew to be true, wasn't always true anymore. I can remember the first couple days I was in Korea I felt like I was suffocating because I couldn't read anything. I have always been a very word dependent person. Billboards, cleaning supply's, everything. So, when I moved to Korea and I couldn't read or recognize anything, it was really hard for me. I think this experience would be exponentially worse for cultures untouched by the modern world. 



The best way to introduce an uncivilized in my opinion would be to slowly increase the culture's knowledge. Dictionaries and translations of the language should be made before the culture is thrown into modern society. Social taboos such as cannibalism and incest might NOT be a problem for some cultures. While rare, they do exist. These cultures are not going to learn over night their entire way of life if frowned upon and must decease to exist. Cultures such as the Sawi found common products such as axe to be a revelation. Technology like computers, the internet, telephones, and other common wonders of the 21st century would be inconceivable to "uncivilized cultures." Cultures such as the Sawi should be introduced into their surrounding area, such as other similar tribes and nearby civilization. Then slowly branch out into their country and eventually international dealings. This process should take years, not days. Introducing a culture too fast would be like taking Pocahontas to New York City and telling her to have figure it out. Can you say, culture shock? 


Something to be avoided with new cultures would be the exploitation of the people. Large companies should not be allowed to take advantage of new workers who would not know safe working conditions, fair wages, or issues dealing with slave labor. Everything is good in small doses right, except cigarettes. 


So the key phrase in this is "slowly," as long as society does that, the undiscovered cultures should do just fine. Well, relatively speaking of course. 

2010년 11월 17일 수요일

What factors of your native culture have informed your religious world view?

 What factors of your native culture have informed your religious world view?


My family would be the main factor of my religious world view. My father has always been a paster, and every Sunday for the last 17 years of my life (except for a handful of times) , I have sitting in the pews waiting for the sermon. To add to that, my mother is a bible teacher at our school, so you could say I am being pressured on both sides to be Christian. Then, my older siblings, I have four, are all much more...free spirited. Being the youngest, I've always wanted to be as cool as my older siblings. I do get nicer clothes and more cool technology amongst other things that my siblings didn't get. At the same time, mum and dad wont let me drive as early as my older siblings, or run around as late. Not nearly as late. So you could say I have been in sort of a middle ground between wishing to be like my older siblings and kept under tight wraps by the parents. 


The next factor I would say would be what is considered normal. Where I lived, rural southern culture in general tells people to accept the norms of life (I cannot say for other places, but I think it is probably similar). Taylor Swift and Eminem are "normal" so I should listen to them. Christianity is the "norm" so I should "say" I am Christian if I really dont have an opinion. At least, that is what I've come to see from many people and stereotypes


The normal where I lived would be to disregard Islam because they are all bombers and sadists. That is making a generalization before I even get to understand what the religion teaches. Do I personally agree with Islam? No, I dont, but it isn't my job to tell people they are wrong. I do not have to agree with Islam, but as long as they are not shoving their beliefs down my throat they can be tolerated.

I dont understand why people feel this need to be right or wrong. My right, doesn't have to mean you are wrong, it just means I think a certain way and disagree with you. Yes, it is postmodern and I agree with it. Which is my last factor in what has formed by religious world view. I wouldn't say I am a postmodernist. I am not nearly that well educated in its type of thinking to say that. However, I agree with many of the main points and beliefs, but not all. One major contributor of postmodernism believed someone could have an answer and think it completely true and correct, and at the same time think it to be false. No, I think thats a load of....falseness. 


So, my family, my location and its stereotypes/norms, and postmodernism have all effected my religious world view. 




2010년 11월 16일 화요일

For your Nortification

My name is Norton, my nick name is Norty, my job is to Nortify you with know Noledge.

Sorry, that was a bit much, but if it made you laugh my work is done. This is where I'm going to post all my work for DP HL English. Prepare to be...informed. Haha, and you thought I was going to say Nortified.

I like fast cars, particularly the Dodge Viper if you haven't noticed.