A simple exchange that i thought to be worth sharing, for clarity, one person is in the states, the other is in Kuwait (me).
"Dear BQ,
.... You know living here, when i look back at Kuwaiti politics and the agenda, we really seem very shallow and not worth even following. But the states has 3rd world characteristics in my opinion as much as we do, only theirs are in disguise. Capitalism is backfiring. All parties and interest groups are backed by the business men, and with lobbying, the US government and its policies are monopolized. Individualism is backfiring, as people have more love to there pets than people, relationships are diminishing and couples live with each other for reciprocal convenient benefits (sex, paying half the rent etc.) but strictly benefits, but the real love is for their dogs and cats. So we are truly blessed with our cultural characteristics of collectivism, generosity and respect for the elderly. The elderly here live their last years in solitude and nostalgia which is a shame.
The US is about to burst in my opinion, post cold war there was a huge gap of superiority between the US and other nations, so its easy for them to jump in to any conflict. now all modern countries are very independent and strong. Poor America, there dealing with everything all over the globe, and with the economic crisis, wars, now the recent oil boycott from Venezuela, $470 billion in debt, its like they're being punched all over, so they will either burst or die, which one who knows? i think democratic or republican victory will play a big role in dealing with these punches. But the world needs Obama now, not just America, they need a true diplomat that can resolve things peacefully and that’s exactly what he is capable of doing.
Considering McCain has passed the average death age, and Palin's ......no comment, I hope Obama can win, I am curious to see what diplomacy at its best can do to the world."
"Dear Friend,
Your analysis on issues in the states politically and personally was truly refreshing as you have consolidated thoughts i have always had. "but the real love is for their dogs and cats" this was sad but very true, it stems from how evolved their society has become, exhibiting the demise of emotional values, they have been stripped of the possibility of being worthy of that much affection and have lost the capacity of giving that much affection to someone at the risk of being emotionally blown to shreds, discarded simply when the benefits stop being benefits and they suddenly become an inconvenience. i can understand that world very well, as I don’t think we are living in the "collective" culture you described, instead i see that we are a society that is swaying toward rigidity and "convenience"..
Individualism can put a person in a box, demanding acceptance from others and pushing those who don’t agree simply because they value their individuality.. This creates the most dangerous feeling in the world, indifference...
Kuwaiti politics, American politics, World politics, start with issues, and end up being about money..
i fear that Obama doesn’t win... i don’t see it happening.. at the end of the day Americans are mostly republicans.. and they continue to choose leaders who appear less radical.. Palin after all is a safe soccer mom.."
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6 comments:
Interesting exchange. I think whether in the US or Kuwait people are people and there is more in common than difference. There are the pessimists as well the optimist in each place. I hope the US wont burst or die.. and I hope we keep our positive values. Whereas globalization spread the economic benefit across the world, we need cultural globalization that spreads the positive values from one place to another.
"there is more in common than difference"
i agree..
"we need cultural globalization that spreads the positive values from one place to another."... yala ..
Now we need to need that enuff to do something about it
Where r u girl?
out and about ;)
5 minutes wasted reading someone's misguided, though not necessarily intentional, opinion on the reasons for the economic demise of the American system. I hope the both of you realize that neither obama nor maccaine have the magic key. Personally, I'm rooting for the extravagant "Hockey Mom" who just happens to enjoy splashing 200k shopping in fifth avenue.
boyakasha
My name is Megan and I am currently a student at the University of Vermont. I am in an Anthropology class about the Middleast in which we study a wide array of topics pertaining to different Middleastern countries. I am currently studying the country of Kuwait and I found your blog to be really interesting regarding the social and political implications within the United States. I really found it interesting how you viewed our values in such opposition to your own. You discussed the views of the United States as an individualistic capitalist type of view-which I completely agree with. I found it interesting when you were discussing the communitarian implications of your country and the sense of belonging that you feel. So, after reading your post revolving around these topics I had a few questions for you. What do you think is the main difference regarding social relationships between peers within Kuwait as compared to the United States? Also, how do you view the United States stands in terms of a country of stability?
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