NationStates Jolt Archive

Does any culture deserve to be preserved, for its aesthetics or beauty? If a culture is dying out (as in the people in it are being influenced by another, to the point sometimes of abandoning it altogether) is it a tragedy, or just business as usual? Should an effort be made to preserve certain cultures, or should that be left to museums?

Does any culture deserve to be preserved, for its aesthetics or beauty? If a culture is dying out (as in the people in it are being influenced by another, to the point sometimes of abandoning it altogether) is it a tragedy, or just business as usual? Should an effort be made to preserve certain cultures, or should that be left to museums?

Well, depends. If the people want to follow the old culture, go ahead. If youwant to change... go ahead.

As for preserving them... yes. Museums. We should learn about our past and present. But you shouldn't force people to stay one way if they don't want to stay that way.

Fix it so people don't have to abandon it if they don't want to.

That said, some things should be abandonned. At gun point if really necessary. Anyone here want their clitorus cut off? (This is a retorical question, do not hijack thread trying to answer it.)

No. Adopting a culture, or parts of it, is an individual choice. The idea that some cultures should be preserved simply because they are cultures is entirely subjective. If a culture fades out, then it is because those who used to see benefit in following it do not see it any longer- it is their choice to make, not that of outsiders. In order to advance human thought and reasoning, we must have an open market of ideas with which to exchange thought, in order to root out those ideas that are not seen as beneficial in a productive, non-violent fashion while strengthening those ideas that people find value in.

Cultures are like languages, they're constantly changing and adapting. The only sorts of cultures that don't change are dead ones.

If a culture fades out, then it is because those who used to see benefit in following it do not see it any longer- it is their choice to make, not that of outsiders.

Rather disingenuous wording, since personal choice hardly precludes external imposition of said decision's circumstances. Case in point: conversion at swordpoint. Furthermore, no such choice should be examined sans milieu.

Should people or other cultures go out of their way to preserve one that is dying? Um...no...

Rather disingenuous wording, since personal choice hardly precludes external imposition of said decision's circumstances. Case in point: conversion at swordpoint. Furthermore, no such choice should be examined sans milieu.

I don't mean THAT, that's wrong, as it is a violation of the right of life and liberty. I would agree with you on this. But otherwise, it's a personal choice. I'm not advocating forced conversion, mind you. :P

On the one hand, cultures evolve. If people want to change their culture, they have every right to do so. Preserving and honoring the past is what museums and libraries are for.

On the other hand, destroying cultures by forcing people to change is wrong, and people who try to preserve their culture against such pressures should be helped in every possible way.

On the third hand, preventing people from changing their culture in order to control them -- such as maintaining segregation or a power structure (apartheid, the Taliban) -- is also wrong.

In other words, people can preserve or abandon their own culture, but outsiders don't get to make that choice for them. IMO.

When you look at say Japan, you see plenty of people doing traditional things like making sake in wood barrels, doing origami, going to kimono wearing classes, etc. Now one one hand all this is complete nonsense as 99% of Japans population prior to the 20th century never did origami or wore a kimono. Real Japanese culture consists of dressing in rags, eating turnips, and dying young; the same as everywhere else prior to industrial revolution. However people forget the bad stuff and only remember the good stuff for some reason. Maybe that's how they avoid becoming depressed.