Quote:
Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric:
Yorick
I do find your comments somewhat insulting in one respect, though, in that you seem to be placing the blame for the loss of "sanctity of life" solely on the shoulders of the U.S. Comments such as our history leading to "rampant gun ownership" make it sound as if the devaluation of human life is somehow the fault of America. That's a rather bold implication from someone whose nation began as a penal colony.
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Well the conversation is about America. America has the death penalty, Australia doesn't. Australia is making it's attempts by outlawing gun ownership and banning the death penalty.
However, you mention the penal colony and you are more on the mark than you realise.
A nations origins play a part in the collective psychology. Newcomers have to react with assimilation or rejection of the existing culture.
Additionally, I would argue Australia is much older than the 200 years of European colonisation. We have owned our Aboriginal past, giving land rights back, giving Aboriginals preferred status, autonomous areas the size of European countries.
However... the penal colony. What values that brought was a huge "authority problem" most Australians seem to possess. As well as an egalitarianism and rejection of the English class system. A "tall poppy syndrome" where those that suceed too much, or rise to far, are cut back down. A love for the underdog, the battler who loses trying his heart out. It brought "the tyrrany of distance" into the Europeans who came here. It also, for me, gives me a point of connection with African Americans here. The original Australians (a large amount Irish) were sent there against their will, in chains, subject to horrendous abuse, torture and pain at the hands of their English gaolkeepers.
Just as an individual is shaped by their past and the situations they are born into, so is a nation - a collection of individuals.
Land shapes collective psychology.
Origins and history shape collective psychology.
I found Singapore to value conformity far more than Australia or America. Why? The fledgling nation was kicked out of Malaysia. Them against the world. They pulled together and lifted Singapore into economic prosperity.
Whereas Australia and America are huge lands that were opened up by pioneers with individualist, nonconformist streaks. Look at Salt Lake City for example. Founded by idealists who didn't fit into mainstream America.
Therefore, the values are what suceeds. What works. "Mateship" pulled Australians through convictdom, two world wars and Vietnam. It therefore is highly valued.
Guns pulled America through a war with England. They are forever enshrined in the constitution.
Can you not see this?
Russia was invaded constantly from the east. Incessantly. A prominent modern Russian once said "Russia has two friends. Her army and her navy". How a nation is forged shapes much. The Russians evened the score by expanding her territory eastward. Creating a buffer. The Cossacks went on the offensive.
So what happened in Communist Russia? A ring of buffer states in Eastern Europe, and Asia. Perpetual distrust.
Additionally we are focussing on America, because American culture is so globally dominant. Can any American ally make drugs legal? Hardly. Tasmania, a state in Australia once attempted it. Extraordinary pressure from Washington.
American values are transported via film and music and computer games. And MacDonalds. Cultural Imperialism Cerek.
Therefore what happens inside America affects us all outside it.
But in any case, I am in America now. The land built on immigrants? Immigrants bringing their values and culture to the shores?
