DOn't think the title does the this entry any justice, but it was as close as it could get. Anyway one day I was at 68 talking to a tourist. The tourist was from Australia, and we had a long interesting three hour conversation on politics, etc. Anyway we began talking about how the world is rapidly changing, and how people are really more connected to one another than ever before. Throughout this conversation the theme of a culture war(which one professor which I will not mention names refuses to recognize that a culture war goes beyond what was going on in the 1960s. of course that was a culture war, but this doesn't pertain to what is happening now) continued to appear. The old way vs. the new way of doing things. Why older generations seem to be more into nationalism than the younger generation. People can say that it means young people simply do not have patriotism for their Nation-State. This would be true, but as the conversation got interesting we began to question if there really is a need for the current nation-state system we have. The trend right now seems to be going towards regional blocks and eventually world government. We can find plenty of conspiracy theories on world government and how its a horrible horrible horrible thing that under minds the tried and true tradition of national sovereignty. Then you realize the nation-state system and the idea of sovereignty are quite a recent development. People in the year 1230 didn't really care much about the country they lived in. The kingdom they were from unless they had some stake in it, unless they were the nobles, or the elites, or in the military. Even to be in the military in some kingdoms/countries you needed to be born in a certain social class. Most people simply only have allegiance to their local communities and paid their taxes to their gov't when the gov't wanted it, otherwise the gov't wasn't so prevailing to make them go die for their country. The Roman Empire had to promise its soldiers citizenship for them and their offspring before they would go fight, and die for Rome. The same is said today. But the concept of total war(where the entire society is expected to participate and contribute to the war effort for their nation's victory) is also a very recent modern phenomenon. The whole point of our conversation was that it is possible that in this decade we are seeing early signs of nationalism being seen as unimportant by the younger generation. Mind you 68 is a bar for students, and of course it is a place where you can see someone from Georgia having a drink with someone from Russia, etc etc. My point is simply the 21st century may be this crucial moment where people will be more connected with each other, can see what is in common with each other and can appreciate the differences. Quite possibly challenging the concept of nationalism, and the nation-state system. Simply put we see what is happening is currently a failure, with neoliberal economic policies more people are simply able to move more freely, and communicate a lot easier. It may not end up like 1984 George Orwell according to many who are conspiracy theorist. Quite possibly people will continue to question the current political system, and might find new solutions to old problems. This doesn't mean the 21st century will be the century where a world gov't forms. I have high doubts about this happening simply because at the moment we have no common enemy, and its hard for us to collectively see our common goals, and the current nation-state system is well current. You still need a passport to travel, people are still treated according to their country's economic status even if they have a high social status at home. But the whole gist of our conversation simply was this: "Governments tend to lag behind the people in progress." (Aussie Tourist Dude)
Simply put people may see more in common with each other, and even if their home countries are at war with each other, they are less likely to go at each others throat(younger generation) simply because there is a mutual understanding that their governments are at war with each other not the people, and there is also a understanding that the people have little influence on what their gov'ts choose to do concerning their foreign policy. While this mutual understanding isn't completely universal. AS there are still plenty of places where people are less educated, and more nationalistic. For the most part, people who have access to information that the previous generation didn't have are becoming more aware of what is going on in world politics. This isn't some kind of wild counter-culture revolution, but quite possibly within the next 90 years nationalism will not be the banner that everybody can easily get behind, but of course this is still too early to make such a statement, and I am only stating that form my perspective nationalism will have a less prominent role in our daily lives. I tend to avoid this topic because it is within one of my least liked subjects(Sociology). But no matter what you're into all subjects eventually have some connection with Sociology especially if you're dealing with people, and statistics.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
New blog
This is the start of a new blogging page. The goal of Thought Lore is simple. Post topics that interest others, and allow people to freely exchange ideas, discuss events and issues. With the possibility of brainstorming on ideas to resolve the questions that we face today. I expect nothing big to happen with this, but find that it will at the very least be an intellectually stimulating experience/experiment.
For starters, my name is Keith currently studying abroad in Japan. I'm a senior at the University of Oklahoma, and I study International Studies in the school of International & Area studies. I've done a lot since I've attended OU, but I still feel as if the years spent in University might go to waste. Anyway with that being an issue not related to this blog. I will explain the reason for starting this blog.
If you read my earlier blog Journey Japan(Nihon written in Chinese characters) Most of what is written there is basically my experience during my first exchange in Japan. I enjoyed it, and it was quite a carefree time. There were some tough spots, and I believe I definitely talked about that. Anyway I dealt with the financial crisis while I was in Japan that first time. Felt the recession first hand when the currency value of the Japanese Yen went out of control. Its quite an interesting experience to realize the money you have now was worth less than when you first arrived. Though with this experience came maturity.
The reason I speak of this is because once I returned home to the US. I found that a lot had changed. Politically speaking. I had a year long break from keeping up with US politics. We talked about the US as if it was some nightmarish place that very few people wanted to be except for those who see the opportunities available. The US definitely isn't a nightmarish place to live in, but it definitely has its problems.
I return to the US, and realize there is a "grassroots" movement known as the Tea Party that has gained popularity. A group within it called the Birthers claim that the president of the United States isn't a citizen. An opposition party that is so irresponsible that nothing is getting done, and an offering of little to no alternatives is what they stand on. I wish I could put this in better words, but the US isn't doing too hot for itself. So this blog is to explore it. I had a year to think about a lot of this stuff. Maybe a bit of an obsession, but I am very much interested in what's going to happen next. I wish more people of the current youth understood what is really happening. What has happened, and how we got to where we are today.
I am fascinated by Japan, but not by its politics. I can care less about politics in Japan. I can be a bit of a political junky, but the political issues that go on domestically in Japan is a problem for those that are Japanese. As I do not have certain rights in Japan as a person on a student visa. I have little say in what goes on in Japan, but as a US citizen I have a lot of say on what is happening in the US. Some may call me a person that feels entitled, and indeed this is true. I not only feel I am entitled to express what I am expressing, but it is an obligation as a citizen. If I do not say anything then I feel that there will be no sanity left in the country's political discourse. I'm not so self-centered to believe that I am at the center of it, but no I am not. I am just one person. A small piece of a 300 million human mosaic. If one decides to be apathetic I believe they have a right to do so, but I also believe that it is damaging to the society. How can one sit here,and see insanity, and decide to do or say nothing? This is a simple answer because the question itself is simple. Fear is the answer. People are afraid, and overwhelmed by the challenges we face. Tough times are indeed ahead, and when a person is afraid they have one of two options. The first option is to simply run away. The second option is to rise to the occasion and do something about it. The latter option is more difficult, and Americans living in a consumerist society make decisions that benefit them the most. At least decisions perceived to benefit them the most. Following that pattern, running away from the problem is quite a nice option to choose. Why deal with it? Someone else can deal with the problem. Simply put if everyone in society says this, then civilization comes to a halt, or at the very least continues down the road of destruction at full throttle with no pretensions , or shame.
So I am politically a progressive, but I am not using this to look down upon those who share a different world view. I'm very inclusive, and I've spent a lot of time traveling to many different countries, and sharing opinions and ideas with people from various backgrounds. Some people were amazing, others were average, some weren't so bright, but all of them were brilliant human beings. The whole point of this blog is to bring out the brilliance in all of us, and to brainstorm on ideas that may prove beneficial to the future of humanity, or at the very least the current generation of young adults.
Thank you,
-Keith
For starters, my name is Keith currently studying abroad in Japan. I'm a senior at the University of Oklahoma, and I study International Studies in the school of International & Area studies. I've done a lot since I've attended OU, but I still feel as if the years spent in University might go to waste. Anyway with that being an issue not related to this blog. I will explain the reason for starting this blog.
If you read my earlier blog Journey Japan(Nihon written in Chinese characters) Most of what is written there is basically my experience during my first exchange in Japan. I enjoyed it, and it was quite a carefree time. There were some tough spots, and I believe I definitely talked about that. Anyway I dealt with the financial crisis while I was in Japan that first time. Felt the recession first hand when the currency value of the Japanese Yen went out of control. Its quite an interesting experience to realize the money you have now was worth less than when you first arrived. Though with this experience came maturity.
The reason I speak of this is because once I returned home to the US. I found that a lot had changed. Politically speaking. I had a year long break from keeping up with US politics. We talked about the US as if it was some nightmarish place that very few people wanted to be except for those who see the opportunities available. The US definitely isn't a nightmarish place to live in, but it definitely has its problems.
I return to the US, and realize there is a "grassroots" movement known as the Tea Party that has gained popularity. A group within it called the Birthers claim that the president of the United States isn't a citizen. An opposition party that is so irresponsible that nothing is getting done, and an offering of little to no alternatives is what they stand on. I wish I could put this in better words, but the US isn't doing too hot for itself. So this blog is to explore it. I had a year to think about a lot of this stuff. Maybe a bit of an obsession, but I am very much interested in what's going to happen next. I wish more people of the current youth understood what is really happening. What has happened, and how we got to where we are today.
I am fascinated by Japan, but not by its politics. I can care less about politics in Japan. I can be a bit of a political junky, but the political issues that go on domestically in Japan is a problem for those that are Japanese. As I do not have certain rights in Japan as a person on a student visa. I have little say in what goes on in Japan, but as a US citizen I have a lot of say on what is happening in the US. Some may call me a person that feels entitled, and indeed this is true. I not only feel I am entitled to express what I am expressing, but it is an obligation as a citizen. If I do not say anything then I feel that there will be no sanity left in the country's political discourse. I'm not so self-centered to believe that I am at the center of it, but no I am not. I am just one person. A small piece of a 300 million human mosaic. If one decides to be apathetic I believe they have a right to do so, but I also believe that it is damaging to the society. How can one sit here,and see insanity, and decide to do or say nothing? This is a simple answer because the question itself is simple. Fear is the answer. People are afraid, and overwhelmed by the challenges we face. Tough times are indeed ahead, and when a person is afraid they have one of two options. The first option is to simply run away. The second option is to rise to the occasion and do something about it. The latter option is more difficult, and Americans living in a consumerist society make decisions that benefit them the most. At least decisions perceived to benefit them the most. Following that pattern, running away from the problem is quite a nice option to choose. Why deal with it? Someone else can deal with the problem. Simply put if everyone in society says this, then civilization comes to a halt, or at the very least continues down the road of destruction at full throttle with no pretensions , or shame.
So I am politically a progressive, but I am not using this to look down upon those who share a different world view. I'm very inclusive, and I've spent a lot of time traveling to many different countries, and sharing opinions and ideas with people from various backgrounds. Some people were amazing, others were average, some weren't so bright, but all of them were brilliant human beings. The whole point of this blog is to bring out the brilliance in all of us, and to brainstorm on ideas that may prove beneficial to the future of humanity, or at the very least the current generation of young adults.
Thank you,
-Keith
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