Mistakes Humanity made that the Na'vi avoided (a society comprison)

[Ashen Key]

Originally Posted by Tsyal Makto

With the speed and virility that western civilization is spreading, I can see it as becoming a global monoculture. It's got North America, Europe, Asia, and is slowly taking over Africa, South America, and India.

*takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly*

My country, although part of the related cultures of 'the West' is NOT the same as the US. Equally, it is not the same as China. Equally, Japan's culture is nothing like Italy's. Having the same technology is not the same as having the same culture. I mean, we don't even have the same form of governments, let alone the same types of food (I'm going to hazard a guess here that the average Australian uses the wok way more than the average Canadian) or way people interact with each other in the street. Or holidays. Or religion. Or language.

So, no, there is no 'western monoculture'. At all. Having related cultures is not the same thing as having the same one.

[Tsyal Makto]

Originally Posted by Ashen Key

*takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly*

My country, although part of the related cultures of 'the West' is NOT the same as the US. Equally, it is not the same as China. Equally, Japan's culture is nothing like Italy's. Having the same technology is not the same as having the same culture. I mean, we don't even have the same form of governments, let alone the same types of food (I'm going to hazard a guess here that the average Australian uses the wok way more than the average Canadian) or way people interact with each other in the street. Or holidays. Or religion. Or language.

So, no, there is no 'western monoculture'. At all. Having related cultures is not the same thing as having the same one.

I guess I could have phrased that one a bit better. Of course each region has it's own cultural dialects, but each of these are still built on a foundation of western socioeconomic values - consumerism, pop-culture, etc., controlled by a handful of mega-corporations. I guess one could call it momocultural-pluralism. You can get your Big Mac with a beer in Germany, or special Ghuci designs in Japan. The point is that it is still Macdonalds, it is still Ghuci, and it is still many others that continue to "globalize" once truly, 100% unique and original cultures.

Yeah, I'm feeling cynical tonight.

[Isard]

Originally Posted by Tsyal Makto

I guess I could have phrased that one a bit better. Of course each region has it's own cultural dialects, but each of these are still built on a foundation of western socioeconomic values - consumerism, pop-culture, etc., controlled by a handful of mega-corporations. I guess one could call it momocultural-pluralism. You can get your Big Mac with a beer in Germany, or special Ghuci designs in Japan. The point is that it is still Macdonalds, it is still Ghuci, and it is still many others that continue to "globalize" once truly, 100% unique and original cultures.

Yeah, I'm feeling cynical tonight.

Haters gonna hate.

[Ashen Key]

Originally Posted by Tsyal Makto

I guess I could have phrased that one a bit better. Of course each region has it's own cultural dialects, but each of these are still built on a foundation of western socioeconomic values - consumerism, pop-culture, etc., controlled by a handful of mega-corporations. I guess one could call it momocultural-pluralism. You can get your Big Mac with a beer in Germany, or special Ghuci designs in Japan. The point is that it is still Macdonalds, it is still Ghuci, and it is still many others that continue to "globalize" once truly, 100% unique and original cultures.

Yeah, I'm feeling cynical tonight.

You could have phrased it better, and I admit that a) I am sensitive on the issue and b) not in the clearest mind. However, I'm still not sure I understand your argument - western civilization is not BASED on companies, but on a shared culture reaching back well over two, three thousand years. Globalization is new, but the trappings of it STILL don't mean we have a monoculture. Yes, I can buy Maccas in Moscow or Sydney if I want, but my trappings of culture are still different from yours in a thousand different ways.

And trust me, I'm not one to lightly forgive globalization, or the American empire and all its roll-on effects.But eating Macdonalds doesn't make me an American, and it doesn't make me less an Australian - those labels are attached to other things that cannot be so easily lost.

[Isard]

Originally Posted by Ashen Key

You could have phrased it better, and I admit that a) I am sensitive on the issue and b) not in the clearest mind. However, I'm still not sure I understand your argument - western civilization is not BASED on companies, but on a shared culture reaching back well over two, three thousand years. Globalization is new, but the trappings of it STILL don't mean we have a monoculture. Yes, I can buy Maccas in Moscow or Sydney if I want, but my trappings of culture are still different from yours in a thousand different ways.

And trust me, I'm not one to lightly forgive globalization, or the American empire and all its roll-on effects.But eating Macdonalds doesn't make me an American, and it doesn't make me less an Australian - those labels are attached to other things that cannot be so easily lost.

Its an American thing. We feel better about ourselves when we lament globalization.

[Ashen Key]

Originally Posted by Isard

Its an American thing. We feel better about ourselves when we lament globalization.

I understand that. Just try not to offend the rest of us when you do so, mmkay? *g*

[Isard]

Originally Posted by Ashen Key

I understand that. Just try not to offend the rest of us when you do so, mmkay? *g*

I was not the one who brought it up.

[VanyahaHeights]

In my belief, the Na'vi didn't "avoid" anything, they just happend to have Eywa over them. When the first humans came out, they only concentrated on one thing: survival.

Humans just happend to be "implanted" with an urge to take the next step, to keep going higher, to making better or for the worse. Some of the folks took the wrong steps and sawd down trees. Where veritcal farms could have been done so that doesn't happen. And I believe the Na'vi have made mistakes like we did.

[Elyannia]

Originally Posted by Tsyal Makto

I guess I could have phrased that one a bit better. Of course each region has it's own cultural dialects, but each of these are still built on a foundation of western socioeconomic values - consumerism, pop-culture, etc., controlled by a handful of mega-corporations. I guess one could call it momocultural-pluralism. You can get your Big Mac with a beer in Germany, or special Ghuci designs in Japan. The point is that it is still Macdonalds, it is still Ghuci, and it is still many others that continue to "globalize" once truly, 100% unique and original cultures.

Yeah, I'm feeling cynical tonight.

Gucci isn't even western. It's from Italy lol.

[Isard]

Originally Posted by Elyannia

Gucci isn't even western. It's from Italy lol.

They aren't living "native", so its evil.

[Elyannia]

Originally Posted by Isard

They aren't living "native", so its evil.

0.0

[Isard]

Originally Posted by Elyannia

0.0

I'm afraid some people see any form of advanced technology as a corrupting influence. Even if its technology developed for the greater good, as every action/technology has consequences, some choose to focus on those negative aspects more than the positive benefits.



And they're self righteous about it.

[Elyannia]

Originally Posted by Isard

I'm afraid some people see any form of advanced technology as a corrupting influence. Even if its technology developed for the greater good, as every action/technology has consequences, some choose to focus on those negative aspects more than the positive benefits.



And they're self righteous about it.

I am all for Technology Advancement We all have to learn somehow right? And the best way we learn is through our failures. And thats's exactly why depression is so popular now, it's because everyone focuses on the negatives.

[Ashen Key]

Originally Posted by Elyannia

Gucci isn't even western. It's from Italy lol.

Italy is firmly part of the West. The Roman Empire is one of the founding cultures of 'the West', and, you know, the Roman Empire was Italian. So, yeah, Italy is in the West.