06-24-2012, 12:25 PM
It is an interesting essay, one where he has a very specific thesis. I think he makes the common error of pushing his evidence/examples in order to find support, while not including anything that runs counter to his thesis.
He might be on to something interesting with the idea of islander psychology. An island is a vulnerable system that cannot be closed by its very nature of being exposed by coastline, while at the same time it may like to see itself as isolated by its separation from larger land masses.
Those who do come, often come to conquer, invade, dominate, intrude, and change and probably those contacts outnumber the welcomed arrivals in many cases.
I could see how people might be reluctant to talk to a globally published author. It is not like talking story. Your words will be recorded and scrutinized, lot of pressure. I think the people here have more awareness of the pitfalls of that than the third world country examples he gives where people love to talk to him.
I agree with him that people here are noticeably disinterested in asking what is like where you came from. They really don't have any curiosity about it. I have been to other islands where people like to pump visitors for information, perhaps just to hear something new. But not here. Burnout maybe.
Enjoying the discussion on Japan, guys. I only spent a month there, did read a number of books on the culture and culture gap before I went. Amazing place. I would love to have spent more time there. I was there while my husband was working on a Direct TV project, and staying in a small town not far from Fukushima (Mito). I only had nine days to travel around, but I stayed in hostels and a ryokan, not in Western hotels. Memorable indeed.
One point where I have to disagree is that the "western mind" is always linear. If you look at the Book of Kells
http://www.art-imagery.com/images/kells_241v1_B.jpg
Celtic Knots (so many variations)
or shamrock
http://static.neatoshop.com/images/produ...jpg?v=9215
or Newgrange
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kqNivpUEXLU/TR...reland.jpg
the symbolism is not linear at all. Of course Celtic culture also developed on islands. Ireland was divided into a central province where the high seat stood, with four provinces to the compass points. The circle at the center. The feminine or Goddess element is key to Irish mythology.
As for a creation goddess, Pele creates with rivers of lava but the queen/goddess Medb created a lake with her shi shi. ;-)
I certainly agree with your comparison of Japan and Hawai'i, just not entirely with the east-west circular-linear contrast as that clear cut.
Note for Obie: Before you get a "google" stress moment, I have been to Newgrange and seen the Book of Kells with my own eyes, and stood at the High seat of Tara! My own photos aren't uploaded though.
He might be on to something interesting with the idea of islander psychology. An island is a vulnerable system that cannot be closed by its very nature of being exposed by coastline, while at the same time it may like to see itself as isolated by its separation from larger land masses.
Those who do come, often come to conquer, invade, dominate, intrude, and change and probably those contacts outnumber the welcomed arrivals in many cases.
I could see how people might be reluctant to talk to a globally published author. It is not like talking story. Your words will be recorded and scrutinized, lot of pressure. I think the people here have more awareness of the pitfalls of that than the third world country examples he gives where people love to talk to him.
I agree with him that people here are noticeably disinterested in asking what is like where you came from. They really don't have any curiosity about it. I have been to other islands where people like to pump visitors for information, perhaps just to hear something new. But not here. Burnout maybe.
Enjoying the discussion on Japan, guys. I only spent a month there, did read a number of books on the culture and culture gap before I went. Amazing place. I would love to have spent more time there. I was there while my husband was working on a Direct TV project, and staying in a small town not far from Fukushima (Mito). I only had nine days to travel around, but I stayed in hostels and a ryokan, not in Western hotels. Memorable indeed.
One point where I have to disagree is that the "western mind" is always linear. If you look at the Book of Kells
http://www.art-imagery.com/images/kells_241v1_B.jpg
Celtic Knots (so many variations)
or shamrock
http://static.neatoshop.com/images/produ...jpg?v=9215
or Newgrange
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kqNivpUEXLU/TR...reland.jpg
the symbolism is not linear at all. Of course Celtic culture also developed on islands. Ireland was divided into a central province where the high seat stood, with four provinces to the compass points. The circle at the center. The feminine or Goddess element is key to Irish mythology.
As for a creation goddess, Pele creates with rivers of lava but the queen/goddess Medb created a lake with her shi shi. ;-)
I certainly agree with your comparison of Japan and Hawai'i, just not entirely with the east-west circular-linear contrast as that clear cut.
Note for Obie: Before you get a "google" stress moment, I have been to Newgrange and seen the Book of Kells with my own eyes, and stood at the High seat of Tara! My own photos aren't uploaded though.