Culture
I always grew up believing that Canadians didn't really have a culture per se. I'm not sure how I let myself continue to believe that for so long as the statement, under any scrutiny falls apart rather fast. I suspect a lot of it is that we aren't really taught to perceive much of what we do as being of a cultural nature, and combine that with, perhaps I just never took the time to scrutinize the statement. Either way, today, while I haven't defined Canadian culture, or even what it means to me, I'm now fully sure we have one.
Culture is a funny thing. It is a thing which, those who cling to it feel strongly about and feel is easy to define, but which can only ever be uncovered by interacting with other cultures.
Without the knowledge that what you do is any different from anyone else, they are simply things you do. And things you probably assume everyone else does. Or at least everyone else doesn't consider strange or different.
When I was young, cultural debate was largely old people complaining about things younger people started or stopped doing. And, amusingly, those very people likely killed off traditions that their elders held dear while creating new ones which revolted them.
Culture is a crutch. Diversity is wonderful, and it is great to experience the things which different people do, believe, eat, etc... but to assume that culture wouldn't change without outside interference is utterly moronic. If that were the case, we'd all have the same culture. Whether you believe in creationism or evolution, you believe that humans began in one place. You can argue over the details as to where and when and how we came to be. But both groups agree all human beings share a common origin. In other words, there was a point in time in which we all shared the same culture. There were no "outsiders" to corrupt that culture.
So, as different as the cultures in North America may be from those in Asia, it is simply one measure of how drastically two groups can diverge given enough time. Even the most ancient traditions have their origins, and perhaps some that lasted even longer saw their end long before outsiders had a chance to influence.
And aside from the old people bickering about children changing their cherished beliefs, no one would even note to comings and goings or even notice them as culture.
Culture is amorphous. It can basically be described as what the majority of the people associated with it believe it is. If every Russian donned Hulu skirts and started doing Luau's in the street, and this persisted long enough you'd get your teeth punched out for claiming it isn't Russian culture to do so.
People try to nail down specifics and idolize them in the hopes that this will solidify their traditions. The funny thing is though, even when we achieve some measure of success, it still often ends up changing. Look at the origins of Halloween for instance. You might call what we do in North America part of our culture, but we're really just aping ourselves. It didn't start out in its current form. It has changed drastically.
And things continue to change. When I was young (and lived in a little township) it was still quite common for many houses to on Halloween to hand out HOMEMADE goods. Today, it is universally frowned upon with everyone assuming a hidden razor or needle. But, now the culture revolves around store bought candy.
Language? Screw off. This past year, the word literally had an additional meaning added to the dictionary which is LITERALLY the opposite of what "literally" means. err... meant. I guess now it really DOES mean that. That is to say nothing of the words added or removed. Again, it isn't really difficult to imagine that 10000 years from now, even without outside intervention, that English might wind up sound more like Cantonese than current day English. Because, as with culture, at one point in time we had a shared means of communication with the entirety of humanity.
Food? Globalization has changed many things. But, realistically speaking, cultural foods began as a function of what the poor could afford which was what was easy to obtain in that particular region. And that isn't likely to change. Sure, I can find just about any cultural dish or ingredient I want. But, depending on the locality and affordability of the ingredients, I may not be able to eat it regularly.
Especially with income inequality being as drastic as it is, what the average person eats on a average day in a given area is much more about what can actually be afforded on a regular basis. In fact, you would probably find that the current North American cultural dishes are things like hot dogs, pizza, mac n' cheese, PB&J sandwiches and the likes. Your grand parents are cursing you, either in person or from beyond the grave to what you've done to their precious North American cuisine.
Like I said, culture is amorphous. It cannot be preserved, because, human culture if there is such a thing, is to adapt and change. If you love what you believe to be your ancestral culture, then go experience it. Integrate it into your life. Perhaps try to adapt it a bit. It might "survive" a bit longer. But, perhaps it is a smarter move to actually try and find YOUR personal culture. You are not Italian, or Indian or Canadian. Most likely you don't eat the same foods associated with your culture for every meal. Or partake in festivals and holidays exactly as your parents or grandparents did.
So what is your culture? I think the only way to find out, is to start finding other people and trying to understand what makes us all different and on different levels.
If there were a KFC in every city in ancient Japan and it was affordable, we wouldn't have sushi. And that isn't necessarily a bad thing. And that is hard for me to say. I love sushi. I suppose, in some way, there is something romantic about culture. Most notable culture points can be tied back to overcoming something. Or advancing in some way. But glorifying these things is meaningless. You had no part in it. Your lineage doesn't inherently make you better at it. Nor does the fact that your ancestors overcame something even make the resultant culture an inherently good thing. You, personally, had no involvement in the establishment of that cultural element. I'm sorry.
Its beautiful and I'd hate to see it disappear? Well, during your life time, you have some measure of control. After you die, you don't. While you're alive, you're free to keep your culture alive. But no amount of effort ensures it will survive. And even if it does, it is unlikely it will last long in the form you accept it.
Human culture is change.
Culture is a funny thing. It is a thing which, those who cling to it feel strongly about and feel is easy to define, but which can only ever be uncovered by interacting with other cultures.
Without the knowledge that what you do is any different from anyone else, they are simply things you do. And things you probably assume everyone else does. Or at least everyone else doesn't consider strange or different.
When I was young, cultural debate was largely old people complaining about things younger people started or stopped doing. And, amusingly, those very people likely killed off traditions that their elders held dear while creating new ones which revolted them.
Culture is a crutch. Diversity is wonderful, and it is great to experience the things which different people do, believe, eat, etc... but to assume that culture wouldn't change without outside interference is utterly moronic. If that were the case, we'd all have the same culture. Whether you believe in creationism or evolution, you believe that humans began in one place. You can argue over the details as to where and when and how we came to be. But both groups agree all human beings share a common origin. In other words, there was a point in time in which we all shared the same culture. There were no "outsiders" to corrupt that culture.
So, as different as the cultures in North America may be from those in Asia, it is simply one measure of how drastically two groups can diverge given enough time. Even the most ancient traditions have their origins, and perhaps some that lasted even longer saw their end long before outsiders had a chance to influence.
And aside from the old people bickering about children changing their cherished beliefs, no one would even note to comings and goings or even notice them as culture.
Culture is amorphous. It can basically be described as what the majority of the people associated with it believe it is. If every Russian donned Hulu skirts and started doing Luau's in the street, and this persisted long enough you'd get your teeth punched out for claiming it isn't Russian culture to do so.
People try to nail down specifics and idolize them in the hopes that this will solidify their traditions. The funny thing is though, even when we achieve some measure of success, it still often ends up changing. Look at the origins of Halloween for instance. You might call what we do in North America part of our culture, but we're really just aping ourselves. It didn't start out in its current form. It has changed drastically.
And things continue to change. When I was young (and lived in a little township) it was still quite common for many houses to on Halloween to hand out HOMEMADE goods. Today, it is universally frowned upon with everyone assuming a hidden razor or needle. But, now the culture revolves around store bought candy.
Language? Screw off. This past year, the word literally had an additional meaning added to the dictionary which is LITERALLY the opposite of what "literally" means. err... meant. I guess now it really DOES mean that. That is to say nothing of the words added or removed. Again, it isn't really difficult to imagine that 10000 years from now, even without outside intervention, that English might wind up sound more like Cantonese than current day English. Because, as with culture, at one point in time we had a shared means of communication with the entirety of humanity.
Food? Globalization has changed many things. But, realistically speaking, cultural foods began as a function of what the poor could afford which was what was easy to obtain in that particular region. And that isn't likely to change. Sure, I can find just about any cultural dish or ingredient I want. But, depending on the locality and affordability of the ingredients, I may not be able to eat it regularly.
Especially with income inequality being as drastic as it is, what the average person eats on a average day in a given area is much more about what can actually be afforded on a regular basis. In fact, you would probably find that the current North American cultural dishes are things like hot dogs, pizza, mac n' cheese, PB&J sandwiches and the likes. Your grand parents are cursing you, either in person or from beyond the grave to what you've done to their precious North American cuisine.
Like I said, culture is amorphous. It cannot be preserved, because, human culture if there is such a thing, is to adapt and change. If you love what you believe to be your ancestral culture, then go experience it. Integrate it into your life. Perhaps try to adapt it a bit. It might "survive" a bit longer. But, perhaps it is a smarter move to actually try and find YOUR personal culture. You are not Italian, or Indian or Canadian. Most likely you don't eat the same foods associated with your culture for every meal. Or partake in festivals and holidays exactly as your parents or grandparents did.
So what is your culture? I think the only way to find out, is to start finding other people and trying to understand what makes us all different and on different levels.
If there were a KFC in every city in ancient Japan and it was affordable, we wouldn't have sushi. And that isn't necessarily a bad thing. And that is hard for me to say. I love sushi. I suppose, in some way, there is something romantic about culture. Most notable culture points can be tied back to overcoming something. Or advancing in some way. But glorifying these things is meaningless. You had no part in it. Your lineage doesn't inherently make you better at it. Nor does the fact that your ancestors overcame something even make the resultant culture an inherently good thing. You, personally, had no involvement in the establishment of that cultural element. I'm sorry.
Its beautiful and I'd hate to see it disappear? Well, during your life time, you have some measure of control. After you die, you don't. While you're alive, you're free to keep your culture alive. But no amount of effort ensures it will survive. And even if it does, it is unlikely it will last long in the form you accept it.
Human culture is change.
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