Sunday, September 20, 2009

Paradise lost?

Years ago, the Pacific Islands stood as the antidote for civilization and their Aloha spirit were seen as a model of peaceful and idyllic lifestyle. For years, this has been just folklore and some of these qualities may survive as a fragile and thin veneer that is under threat of homogenization like everything else in this world. There are no safe places anymore and wherever TV, the internet or cell phone can penetrate, modern civilization takes over. Just like a fungus or some unstoppable virus. This always leaves me torn, as a part of me would like to safeguard anything that stands for true characters and unspoiled culture, and the other, more egalitarian and practical, would love to see an earth for the earthlings, with every one enjoying the same chance to be educated, enjoy a decent life and hopefully thrive.

This open mindset leaves less place for extremes in culture or societal systems and colors everything into the same, blend color. Is the place and the role of folklore just for not totally forgetting the past and entertaining tourists, or can it occupy a genuine place in defining the character of a certain locale?
I'm not sure. If it's not anchored in the heart of folks who deliver it, its future seems awfully limited and highly questionable. Will younger generations be willing to lend themselves to a continuous replay of something that has become meaningless to them? I think not, and with it, that colorful and artsy rendition of life that use to be is slowly going to vanish..

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