Are primitive cultures, like the Sawi, necessary in our present world?
2 comments Posted by choism at 5:39 AM
When I interpret this question without thinking, I might say that primitive cultures are not necessary in our present world. I have nothing against these cultures and I have no intention of offending the reader but as a matter of fact, the present world will be just the same even if cultures like the Sawi don’t exist, in fact the world might be a better place because there is no need for missionaries risking their lives to transfer them to Christians and the government no longer has to intervene. People dream about an ‘idealized world’ where there is only good and we know from our experience that this is impossible because evil is there wherever good is present.
However primitive cultures like the Sawi are ‘valuable’ in our present world. We might not agree with everything about the Sawi culture but it is without doubt that their culture is deep rooted and unique. There are so many things to learn about another culture and demolishing it because we think that it is obsolete is definitely an act of negligence. I want to compare the present world as a complete set of a puzzle. Small bits and pieces make up the ‘whole’ and it wouldn’t be complete when some pieces are missing. Everything that exists in this world has a purpose and importance irrespective of how useful and effective they are and instead of complaining about having primitive cultures like the Sawi, we should be more considerate and appreciative about the existence of such a distinctive culture.
However primitive cultures like the Sawi are ‘valuable’ in our present world. We might not agree with everything about the Sawi culture but it is without doubt that their culture is deep rooted and unique. There are so many things to learn about another culture and demolishing it because we think that it is obsolete is definitely an act of negligence. I want to compare the present world as a complete set of a puzzle. Small bits and pieces make up the ‘whole’ and it wouldn’t be complete when some pieces are missing. Everything that exists in this world has a purpose and importance irrespective of how useful and effective they are and instead of complaining about having primitive cultures like the Sawi, we should be more considerate and appreciative about the existence of such a distinctive culture.
How would uncivilized cultures react upon receiving technology beyond their comprehensions?
0 comments Posted by choism at 4:50 AM
How would we, as we call ourselves ‘civilized’ cultures react upon receiving technology beyond our comprehensions? As described, technology that is ‘beyond’ our comprehension must truly be remarkable and we will definitely be flabbergasted, unable to think of what to do with it next. In the midst of chaos, there will be relentless arguments over whether this upcoming technology is innocuous and whether it is possible or even to an extent, ethical in the field of science and technology; people will be unable to or rather unwilling to accept the reality.
When people are first encountered with revolutionary ideas they are more likely to be revolted because they feel that conventional principles and standards are being destroyed by sudden appearance of technology that is never heard of and never thought of. The Sawi are startled when they first recieve axes and fishing poles because they have little understanding of each object's purposes. This technology that is about to appear is something that people might have been refusing to come out because when it does, it will leave research and all the effort futile. They might question themselves, why they should accept something that makes life more difficult, before they understand the true implications of the technology. People tend to believe and perverse in what they think is right for them, and they don’t even have a glance at others that appear ‘worse’ or ‘better’; this human nature has been an obstacle in human development.
Eventually people will recognize what the new technology is capable of doing and they will try to change the old thinking of 'it has always been there' by shifting their minds to adapt to this new field of technology. Technology that is beyond imagination for ‘uncivilized’ cultures might seem out-of-date in our present world, but tribesman will without doubt be dumbfounded just like us. 'Uncivilized' people are just humans like us and I expect the same reaction from them.
When people are first encountered with revolutionary ideas they are more likely to be revolted because they feel that conventional principles and standards are being destroyed by sudden appearance of technology that is never heard of and never thought of. The Sawi are startled when they first recieve axes and fishing poles because they have little understanding of each object's purposes. This technology that is about to appear is something that people might have been refusing to come out because when it does, it will leave research and all the effort futile. They might question themselves, why they should accept something that makes life more difficult, before they understand the true implications of the technology. People tend to believe and perverse in what they think is right for them, and they don’t even have a glance at others that appear ‘worse’ or ‘better’; this human nature has been an obstacle in human development.
Eventually people will recognize what the new technology is capable of doing and they will try to change the old thinking of 'it has always been there' by shifting their minds to adapt to this new field of technology. Technology that is beyond imagination for ‘uncivilized’ cultures might seem out-of-date in our present world, but tribesman will without doubt be dumbfounded just like us. 'Uncivilized' people are just humans like us and I expect the same reaction from them.
In modern culture, people highly value the achievement of an individual and respect others according to their fame and capacity to earn a lot of money. We as individuals tend to think that our culture is superior to any other culture that exists in the world because it happens to be that modern culture is in a much bigger scale than other minor cultures and that the majority of the population belongs to modernized world. What we fail to realize is that even though we call our culture ‘modern’, it has evolved from earlier and undeveloped forms of culture just like the Sawi. Hundreds of years ago, our ancestors must have practiced treacherous ideas such as cannibalism and we cannot deny that they have been just like the Sawi tribesman. People are revolted when they hear about cannibalism because they know from history the consequences of such a treacherous act and they understand that it is not acceptable in the present world. I mean who would like to embrace a culture that seems to ‘fatten victims with friendship’ and just kill each other?
Even though both cultures look different from outside, I believe that the centre core, the meaning and the value of culture is equal irrespective of how they might appear. There is no ‘correct’ definition of culture because it can be interpreted from different perspective. Arguing about whose culture is ‘better’ is futile because any culture is valid as long as there is a belief system, faith, custom and tradition. People just have different ways of pursing what they believe.
Even though both cultures look different from outside, I believe that the centre core, the meaning and the value of culture is equal irrespective of how they might appear. There is no ‘correct’ definition of culture because it can be interpreted from different perspective. Arguing about whose culture is ‘better’ is futile because any culture is valid as long as there is a belief system, faith, custom and tradition. People just have different ways of pursing what they believe.
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