Do you think that culture can change anything in this world?
I believe internet helps – given that it is a platform for people that are open to share ideas. So please, leave here your opinion so that I may share it with the people of this forum.
THE PODCAST WAS RECORDED 2 YEARS AGO. BUT I BELIEVE THE SUBJECT IS RELEVANT, AND I WILL LEAVE IT HERE FOR A WHILE
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caro Paulo,
secondo me la cultura solo fine a se stessa non cambia nulla. Il cambiamento avviene quando alla conoscenza si affianca la volontà di cambiare le cose con amore e senso di solidarietà.
Ci sono milioni di esseri umani molto colti nel mondo: cosa sta facendo la maggior parte di questi per migliorare il mondo?
Guardiamo i politici: sono molto colti. Ed allora?
Guardiamo tanti intellettuali, coltissimi: cosa stanno producendo le loro conoscenze?
Perchè siamo ancora a combattere le guerre nel 2010?
Siamo più colti di mille anni fa, ma cosa abbiamo prodotto di buono sul tema della pace e della condivisione tra i popoli, seppur di culture diverse?
Se qualcuno mi volesse contraddire e dimostrarmi il contrario di quanto ho detto ne sarei felice.
It has changed things when culture has disappeared.
People are not as happy with what they have and can’t stay still. They need a porpuse for their existence f.ex. be in the rat race, buy things..
When culture disaspears it’s impossible to bring back as strong as it was..you need to be brought up to it. Culture can develope when a group is natural, small enough and dynamic.
YES.
I think culture can change a lot of things, it can fix ignorance, hate, lack of love, and countless other things in a lot of people and society as a whole. But there will always be people that persist in their ignorance, hate, or lack of love.
Learning is a choice.
Expansion of the mind is a choice.
Changing your thoughts is a choice.
If you don’t make that choice: nothing happens.
Culture can change all that.
It leads to awareness and makes the mind hungry for knowledge and experience. You realise there is much more to all of this. Then it starts with a wish. The wish turns into a choice. And that choice leads you onto a new path. And culture has changed your life. And all you had to do was wish.
para verdaderamente lograr el cambio hay que empezar por cambiar el corazón de los hombres. La tierra se sanara a si misma cuando el momento sea propicio. escribí hace poco la frase siguiente: “la influencia de las palabras siempre se debe utilizar en una manera significativa y siempre debemos tratar de tocar con ellas el corazón de la gente… / The influence of words should always be use on a meaningful way and we should always try to touch with them the hearts of people…”
La cultura puede cambiarlo todo…las palabras son cultura!
que estes bien Pablo
I do not know if anyone will ever read this since I also skipped alot of messages, but I do think “culture” can change the world, depending on the perspective on the term itself. We humans tend to see a culture as something “my country does” or something “they traditionally do over there somewhere” instead of looking at culture as the way “we are living on our planet”.
If we’d only start looking at all the beautiful things our countries and all the other countries/continents are doing the world can be changed, but for now I think the “culture” is this modern-day life is heading us towards some kind of inevitable traumatic experience which will hopefully revive us from this auto-pilot-state and bring us back to live (kind of like how a near-death experience makes you want to put so much more effort into living than a 9to5 makes you want it).
It is rather complicate.
First, yes, culture can change the world. But you have to take into account that each culture form has to response to everybody and each particular needs;
Please listen Violeta’s Addio del passato, live if possible.
Sometimes I cried, othertimes I wanted to leave and go home to sleep at TV with a beer.
You have to match the moment and the need of that moment, with the possible offers.
What cultural act can move a hungry person; or a tired old peasant or a young illiterate pickpoket gypsy . How can internet feed their needs of culture?
Yet, Culture can change the world when heroes like Maria Callas, or Yourself, Mr. Coelho, or like Bill Gates even, will show that miracles exists.
We need models, teachers, magicians and angels.
I deeply need a personal teacher.
Waiting for You in Romania again,
Have a Beautiful Christmas!
Did he go to Romania? And to London, is he not coming?
Is there really such a thing as culture or tradition beyond what is considered popular at any one time? Does not everything change with the passage of time? If there is such a ching as culture then I think change is it’s name.
I think that anything that does not change is temporary. Change it the only constant factor in all of creation
Hello Mr. Coelho,
I have been inspired by your books for many years, recently my daughter suggested I read 11 Minutes, which I was planning on reading, I found it amazing that she is reading your books too…she loves your writing, one happy dad!
As for culture, I believe that understanding other cultures creates freedom to understand, and with that understanding comes acceptance. I have taught my daughters that prejudice is based in ignorance, and that trying to learn about people and their differences brings understanding to what may initially be strange or scary to them.
I have given them a story years ago to read: Aikido in Action by Terry Dobson. This story shows the compassion and understanding one human being has for another, even in times of extreme stress and sadness…
Thank you for your words and heart.
Peace, Don McCoy
Culture changes everything. Not more, not less. Just everything.
Culture is not something made to change anything! its to abide……..To rules…….the rules refined………..
So I don’t think anything can be changed with culture in picture..the rules……
But I do think it can contribute to change if “Freedom” is allowed in individual basis without any bias from external entities………….
“Really” people has to think the real purpose of life instead of abiding to something pre-written and followed……
we should not be timid in achieving the real nectar in life………..////////////
I cant dictate it since I neither perceived it….
So life is to understand the unknown and make a change to ……………(sounds philosophical and but this makes sense right??)
Culture is one of the tool which invokes / leads ourselves to lead a better organized life. We should keep on analyzing whether our culture brings good or evil things to our life and this world. There is no STANDARDS or THUMB RULE for any culture. It is by the evolution of the human being identified on the go, when good meets evil things. Its better to keep enhancing or revamp the culture and not blindly following it. Culture is the good metaphor to describe the inhabitants of particular community. we should strive hard to use our culture effective way so that coming generation make effective use of it. Globalization is a boon to the culture and with this we can keep on molding our culture each & every time and make use of it. Even we need to thank our existing traditional culture for making us to think ourselves and do good things to the society. We need to take all best points in cultures across the world and form a standard that could be best implemented across the world.
At times I feel culture does more harm than good, because it has such a strong hold on a population. Culture does not like change and I see culture more of a creation of a government or I think of ancient emperors, and the people pass on the strict and binding actions which have kept them alive and out of trouble. A piece of culture that prevents personal decision making, and suppress creativity needs to be changed by the object which is called Culture.
Culture is a sword with 2 blades. One blade cuts into stone and wood and creates the face of God, the other kills.
In other words, it can open your horizons, it can teach you to be tolerant, it teaches you to understand that we are all different and, paradoxically, all similar. I live in Canada and this country is the best example of a culture mix. There are exceptions to the rule, however, here multiculturalism works. Whatever Angela Merkel’s attitude is, or Nikolas Sarkozy thinks, multiculturalism will take over. And people have to accept it, as civilizations have risen and civilizations have fallen in the history of the world and will continue to do so.
We need to be tolerant as we are all descendants of immigrants, whether we arrived where we are 2000 years ago or yesterday, we would betray our own selves if we cannot accept others in our midst. Plus, we will not evolve spiritually.
And here we are at the other side of the sword, when we become obsessed with our own culture, this is when we cannot accept others anymore and this opens the door to nationalism, racism and other ugly -isms….
So, I think, be different, love your culture, but understand that above all, we are all the same – humans.
There are only two cultures and two “races” in this world: the ones living from the mind and the ones living from the heart. The mind brings certain knowledge, but the heart brings wisdom which is a much greater thing. And from wisdom comes the real understanding.
Culture can bring us together. We all hold dear the teachings of parents, but more so the love behind these teachings. If all peoples can maintain their differences and respect and value the differences of others, then our cultures are joined and separate. But, I feel that in these times we must unite, we peoples of heart and soul. If those of us who love and respect ourselves and others and their beliefs can unite as peoples and cultures, then the world will change. In my daily prayers I ask God, Source, for mercy, love and hope. If we who are united in love ask the God within and external for this unity, then our hearts form a power greater than any government. And hope does spring eternal. These thoughts are shared by expression in our hearts, the divine internet. Connection exists with or without the technology. Technology contributes physical presence. Faith and belief in each other supports spiritual presence and it is in this divine space that we find each other and multiply. May we all share this blessing.
I believe it is ignorance which fuels any conflict. That ignorance can be brought on by isolation, indifference, selfishness, and many other factors, sometimes imposed by history.
If we could all acknowledge each others differences, whether cultural, religious or political, we could work together for cohesion. There is so much we can learn from each other’s experiences.
The complex process of globalisation is opening up a path for cultural enrichment, which will lead the way to a global society.
hello,
This is a hard one, because you have to decide what definition of culture to use. I normally use Berger’s which is the broadest definition of culture as any form of human intervention in his environment to regulate and change human existence. If you define it that broadly the answer is yes, of course and the same answer should be given to the question can culture destroy the world.
A narrower definition would be culture as the arts or a certain ethnic culture or a personal culture, meaning your personal interactions with society. In those cases I do feel that the arts can contribute to change, but as far as positive change is concerned nothing beats good leadership. In case of an ethnic culture I would wholeheartedly say yes because there are always leading cultures, but I would add that the results would be mixed either way. When you talk about a personal culture changing the world well the answer would be that your personal culture and your world are the same and that every great change started amongst a small set of personal cultures until it was present in everyone’s personal culture. Through technology the innovation of one to improve or change his life can be duplicated endlessly and be spread over the world instantly, but the same can be done with an innovation that destroys everything.
Culture is as diverse as there are individuals on this planet and there is knowledge and information available from the earth and the human species as a whole. The capacities, technologies and libraries are there but it takes vision and responsable leadership to bring out the best (declaration of human rights, charity,etc) instead of the worst (Darwin’s nightmare, the situation around Bukavu in Kongo).
Kind regards,
Thomas
Hi Paulo,
I believe culture can really work as a turning stone in creating change but only if we are open to both faces of good and bad …Ready to accept good and amend the bad .
I am sikh and my culture taught me to be always be helpful and happy and s, that’s what I try to do.
Bom dia qrido Guerreiro.
Penso que a cultura influencia tudo.
E o que mais influencia é a cultura, os costumes que estão tão enraizados em nós que não notamos ou não questionamos mais o porquê de sua existência.
Isso poder ser bom ou ruim, tudo depende de sair do automático e avaliar o por que desse ou daquele comportamento que fazemos por questão cultural.
Bom começar o dia lendo vc.
Obrigada pelo seu trabalho Guerreiro.
Que Maria siga na frente ampliando seus caminhos.
Deus te ilumine.
Hosana
Hello Paulo,
I belive culture can make a difference if we are brave enough to leave our fears a side and put our deepest compassionate thoughts out.
If our intentions are to became better beings and to arrive to a superior state of spirituality, culture is one important vehicle to help us to achieve it. If we can arrive to a critical mass of people, than we will be able to move forward and actually change our behaviors willingly. Every living being on the planet will benefit from it.
It would be lovely if you could share your opinion – and others – exposed at the conference.
Kind Regards
Just recently thought about that very question…I just replied to an email message I got about Christmas OR better about the fear of losing the christmas “culture” in the Western world. I felt compelled to answer.
(First the original Email then my reaction)..its not as long as it looks ;)
MONTH BEFORE CHRISTMAS:
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas – no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday ‘.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!
If you agree please forward, if not, simply delete.”
MY TURN:
I have to disagree with this email..BUT WAIT!…Let me tell you why?!
I know its a bit long but after thinking about it for a while I wanted to share my feelings on the subject…guess I had lots to say :)
Its not meant for anyonedirectly, just a quick comment on cultures. (Having Grown up in Multi Cultural Toronto Canada)
Thanks for listening :)
“I don’t think I grew up missing anything about Christmas.
The smells, the songs, the spirit,the joys (and the work!
Yes, we sung songs about Hanukkah and Christmas at our Winter Concert.
We learnt about Kwanzaa, Ramadan, the Winter Solstice and other “Holy Days”
We went to school with, were friends with, ate with, played with,
Kids, kids who didn’t all celebrate Christmas, some didn’t celebrate anything!
Some prayed to a different God or Gods, on different days, for different reasons.
We learnt the Christian traditions of Christmas along with many other traditions.
Still, it was a time of year where people tried a little harder to be nice to one another, to give and please others (or were supposed to..but that’s not always easy not matter what religion you practice).
The only thing that really took away some of the “magic” of Christmas was Capitalism. Greed for the mighty dollar (Now there’s a God we all bow down to)- With That point I AGREE!
It was a nice time of year for most of us, there was a reverence for things greater than us, for miracles and joy.
That part was almost universal and could be shared,
So what’s the big deal with wishing ” Happy Holidays!” ?
After all, we all have holidays and we are all happy to have them :)
and has anyone ever really gotten upset with you because you wished them well? be it for Christmas, the 4th of July, Friday – whatever?
Go ahead and wish the world a “Merry Christmas” if you like, perhaps someone will wish you a “Happy Hanukka” back, no big deal or? Its all meant well!
It’s a time of year to come home (even if only your heart can make it some years)
A time where wishes come true.
I realize it would take a miracle for all faiths, cultures and traditions to co-exist peacefully… but wait…
Isn’t it exactly now? during this time of year, that miracles happen?
(Christians, Jews, Muslims are all celebrating a miracle that occurred just about around this time of year.)
My parents taught me my family’s traditions, language and moral convictions, most of which I hung onto to this day.
I was also taught from a very young age and from very wise parents that; The more you know the richer you are!
I grew up with Christmas and Easter, Halloween, the tooth fairy etc.. but also the Memorial with the Jehovah Witnesses.
I was allowed to learn about other religions and was also taught about my roots and from where I came from.
That stuff is up to parents and family to live out and pass on to the next generation. That’s how the traditions find a place in our hearts and are carried with us over the years.
I still know all those Christmas Carols (In German and English) by heart, Ok we open our presents on the 24th you might do it on the 25th but we get the family together, eat, sing, drink and try to be merry :)
Going to church or praying to baby Jesus wasn’t high on the programme in our family, but we know the story;
Three wise men, the manger, the “virgin” birth….
I certainly didn’t loose anything by singing songs about dreidels or learning why some houses have those big beautiful candel holders in their windows or why we feast while others fast.
I feel empowered by this knowledge, free to chose what speaks most to my heart.
I must admit I am still a fan of Christmas, love the smells and the lights and coming together,
A break in the routine to enjoy the gifts we are lucky enough to receive not only at Christmas but also a time to recognize the good things we’ve had all along.
Christmas is MY tradition! A tradition I cherish!
A tradition that makes me feel good and closer to my family.
Even among “Christians” alone, the religious holiday that is Christmas has evolved, having many definitions as to “The meaning of Christmas” and what it should entail; Like is it Santa Clause? Saint Nicholas? Christ Kind? who’s really in charge of bringing the presents? Christmas eve or Christmas morning? Prayers anyone?
Religiously, Christmas is not that important to me. Not because of different non-christian views but alone on the discredibility of the Church, and its hypocritical reputation which it earned all-by-itsself.
The Spirit of Christmas is, however, sacred to me.
In being given a wide understanding of faiths and knowledge of cultures we were enabled to form our own truths.
Truths based on choices and insight into a much richer spirituality than any one religion or culture could do alone.
I am extremely thankful for those insights, for the variety of cultures and traditions I grew up with.
With the luck of growing up in such a well integrated and accepting multi-cultural city, also comes a responsibility
to add to it, to share your traditions and values with those that touch your life and your community.
Nobody should give up, replace or feel as though they are being asked to dismiss their own
culture or faith, nothing is being taken away from you. Your traditions are not being replaced.
The “program” is just being extended.
By exploring others traditions, be it a song, a new type of food or a new reason for lighting a candle, you are only adding to your own knowledge and enriching the mosaic of your life.
So if you really want to protect Christmas, its traditions and its spirit start with your own definition of that “Christmas Spirit” and lead by example.
Open your heart, your home, your eyes and spread your songs, your recipes, your wishes, your Christmas cheer and don’t forget about loving your neighbour. They may have different beliefs and habits but they are people just like you and have a special place in their hearts for their traditions. I certainly know how good a little touch of “home” feels when you’re far away!
So lets share and give each other more songs, more recipes, more hope that with tolerance and understanding your Christmas will be all the more merrier and the holiday season may find that little bit of peace and joy it seemed to have lost!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
XOXOX
Kat
HO HO HO !
Dear Paulo,
I think, yes, culture can change anything, if not everything.
Two people of two diffenent cultures can talk about the same subject, but from totaly diffenent views. We grow up in a certain area with a specific culture. Because we are born in a culture we became what we are. Our thoughts are influenced by our clutures and the people around us, who are mostly of the same culture. To see way someone else has an other and maybe different view of a subject, can help to understand each other better and can also help to change your own view of things.
Perhaps cultures can be taken as a chance to see things in different ways and to understand together a bit more of the world.
For me it’s inspiring to talk to people with an other backround than mine is. It gives the chance to see things through other positions/ through other eys.
All this means also to have a clear perspectiv of things. With this you have the ability to take an exchange of cultures and with it an exchange of ways to see, to argue and in the end to interpret.
Dear Mr. Paulo,
I believe that both culture and paradigm are relate with each other. In which, in many cases one’s culture shapes their paradigm and their way of viewing life and everything within.
But the problem nowadays, as I see it, that a great extent of human beings are dominated by the materialistic power that drifted them away from their ‘nature’. And nature is the major inspiration for one’s culture.
However, as long as there’s a source to awaken the humanity of any person -music, literature, drawing..etc.-, and bring their nature back to life, culture would definitely be valued better and become more influential. Meaning, that one would view things differently!
I watched a great movie today ‘Baraka’, I wonder if you are interested in watching it. But I can assure you that the movie inspired me to answer your interesting question. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103767/
Thank you for giving us, your readers, the chance to share our opinions openly with you!
Sara
as long as culture bears morals and ethics it won’t go down.
Culture do change things. Simplified, people used to the way of doing things or and idea and it become a habit (or principle of morale). The habit is adopted by the surrounding, if seen as good, and become culture over a period of time. In my opinion, one culture is neutral to other culture.
It binds what otherwise would be random and left us clueless, and govern the way we think. So, in significant ways, it does change us from what we would be without it.
I’ve read The Alchemist and had the boy reject the Arabic culture he encounter early on his journey, the book would end early as a short story. If the boy decided to go back, having seen the Arab don’t drink wine and experienced his first impression of that place by getting robbed. He would go back and get married with the merchant’s daughter. And told his son/daughter that Arab is a bad country, therefore creating a boundary of change.
The problem: most of us can’t accept things as it is. Culture is the basic of our social activities, to get accustomed with new culture is to change the way we interact with each other. The boy accepted new culture, and it brings him good change.
If we all have a big heart like the boy had, I bet culture can be an interesting change, not a boundaries. I hope someone do read this, I really think before writing this time. :)
I read and I liked your comment.
I don´t speak English very well, but I used the Google Tradutor.
God Bless You
Dear, Paulo.
Firstly, let me thank you for your great books that so much influence on my life. I live in Russia, N.Novgorod and I can say without a dept that a lot of russians are very interested in your creation.
And let tell a few words about this very question. I believe that culture plays a big role in constructing people’s mind. It was before us and it will be after us. There will always be great poets, writers and artists who will do their best to turn thinking to positive not forgetting about the laws that God’s given to us. I’m a christian and I have a little peace in my heart. And I think that the second point is much important than the first one.
And of course culture still changes many things. Culture is moving, it has a hidden aim to impact people’s bahaviour in a good way.
And finally, I’m sure that without culture world will become cruel and hearts of people unhealthy.
Hello
I see culture as a way to become more spiritually aware. To view culture
as a way to access the Source means that it is not about greed but about
living in a way that uses our blessings in our envirnoment to live in harmony
with each other and the things around us.
Dear all,
Culture is like a backpack full of surprises, wisedom and information. It is always there for us to open it.
I believe the internet helps us in the way we need.
Look at us here..now…finding inspiration and being united in thought, no matter our background..
There’s a world of color and ideas here/there and everywhere.. and may we have the inspiration and courage to find it..
i believe culture form an essential part of what you turn up as a human being…………..&then what change you bring in,what into are you transformed at
“”What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions.
Life is plurality, death is uniformity.
By suppressing differences and peculiarities, by eliminating different civilizations and cultures, progress weakens life and favors death.
The ideal of a single civilization for everyone, implicit in the cult of progress and technique, impoverishes and mutilates us.
Every view of the world that becomes extinct, every culture that disappears, diminishes a possibility of life”
Love
Dr Pooja”
Dear Sir,
I am glad to see you again after so long time. I have to confess that I missed your videos you posted last year in youtube and I am so happy to come to your blog today and see you in it. You were and still are like a Maestro for me, the one who initiate me in the most interesting and controversial subjects in this world and also -in so dearest to me- , the magic of our own words….
How can culture change this world?
I will be honest with you, I thought of this also even back then when you had the live podcast. I wasn’t brave enough to come online to chat with you. Next time I will. Today, I thought to write you a little about what I think. My answer will not be one elaborated and deep thought, but it will be written from my heart.
“I put a lot of hope in what I do..” but this world is still going on in the same way as it went 100 years ago… Nobody can lose their hope… We must enhance a new way of seeing the world!”
I know that it hurts you to see what is going on in this world… It hurts me too, especially when in the morning, I read the news online. As I currently live in UK first I want to know what had happen here. Then I go to see what happen in my country, in Romania. I am a writer, and like you I would like to spread the culture among our people… and most, because I was a teacher, I know the importance of Culture, of Education… Now I don’t know what you were thinking when you said Culture… Did you mean like a general thing or more then that? Did you think of culture as a way of life for a society, or even the whole world?
For me the culture of a nation means a lot of things… lets start with their own believes, customs, the way they dress, the code of manners, religion, the code of laws and norms of morality, even the cuisine and art.
I think that we need culture to can live in this world today and we need, in a way, to be taught to take the best of other cultures form other nations from this world, if we want to shares experiences with other people like us. But, I think, that it is very important for a human being to learn about his culture from when he is very young. In this way, the tradition will be deep written on the pages of his heart and cemented with the discernment to take the right decision in no matter what circumstances he will be in. A good growth in his family also help because I believe that Family (with healthy principles) stays at the base of a healthy society.
Dear Paulo, I dare to say that things changed though… Why I say this? Because I remember things my grandma told me from her childhood and when I compare with my own childhood I understand that … “nothing stays the same”.
I know that there are still misunderstandings between some nations and still the power thirst generates wars or internal fights. I know that they are countries where children die of starvation, where they can not benefit of education and have no future.
I know that major problems affect this world, as the Global warming which is the increase in the average temperature of Earth’s near surface air and oceans. This could be seen from the mid-20th century. Why is it happening, well, from what I have read about it is cause by increasing concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG). These are: water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. These gases absorb and emit radiations and also affect the temperature on Earth. Without them the Earth’s surface would be colder then in presence. So who make these greenhouse gases to increase their concentration? The answer is simple: the HUMAN ACTIVITY such as: the burning of fossil fuel and deforestation.
“Since the beginning of the Industrial revolution, the burning of fossil fuels has increased the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from 280ppm to 388ppm.”
The scientists know how bad is this for our environment and for out health. That’s why CULTURE, Education, will play an important role in our lives, first, by making us aware of the danger we are in now, if we do not try to change some things in this world. It requires a “GLOBAL” Change of our minds and views and, I like to use the same world, ”GLOBAL”, like the one from the term: “Global warming”, just to make us aware of the importance of this situation.
I would like as you, to can find a solution, together with other people, and to make this world a better world to live in. But most, I wish to do not see children suffering and lucking basic food and education. We need the help of those who have the political power and also we need the determination of all of us, me, you, him or her, any colour of skin, but having all a loving heart. It is that simple if we try to understand each other better and to be kind and to have consideration for the needs of those around us.
In terms of technology, things changed a lot for the last 100 years, dear Paulo. I say and I will give you a simple example… my grandmother didn’t have a radio or television until 1950… She is borne in 1932. Now, she’s got even a mobile, can you imagine that? But still life it is hard for her, where she lives, in the village. The technology of the machines that works the land it is not so developed and they are expensive to buy. Ah, I could say lots of things about it… but I am afraid that I will end up writing too much and our friends will not have the time to read it all… So, here I will stop now, wishing to thank you for letting me share with you my thoughts.
I am anxious to read your opinions and to see how we can make this world we live in happier…
Have a wonderful, peaceful and blessed SUNDAY,
love, Gabriela Romaria
Culture is not static.It is growing and changing in all societies.I think it is mostly influenced by scientific inventions and discoveries.Internet is also an invention which can influence cultures of the world into more understanding and tolerant ones (if it is made available to all in a refined manner).Every culture of the world have to be exposed to every person of the world.The killer must be exposed to the killed to see the suffering and the aftermath.All religon and cultures teach love and love only.Yet the unknown and the unintroduced appear to have no feelings and love to the killer.So introduce cultures and life of the world through internet to people of the world for better understanding and for a better future world order(culture?)
I think our culture is a collection of shared beliefs and values.
There is something good about detaching from our norms and values so that we can create new cultures.
This is my dilemma – leaving the old to create space for the new and determining which parts of the old are important to hold on to and which to allow to move away. Communication through new technology challenges our culture to think creatively about what we want from it.
Ah… I keep coming back to this issue. Culture and the internet is a double-edged sword, I think. One one hand – a fairly big hand – it facilitates communication across borders and makes information easily available. On the other hand, the sheer amount of information on the internet means that one must be already poised to find something to challenge his or her point of view. (In other words, you will find anything you want to find.)
One thing I’m worried about – and internet is a part of this – is the cultures eroding and mixing to the point of homogeneity; a stasis; a state where nothing challenges the predominant values and ideals. Cultures will and should change and mix, but if one culture (and in my mind, it’s the US) is the importer and the rest act as receivers, then the inherent balance of things is obviously off.
Also, don’t get me wrong. If it wasn’t for internet, I would have no life at all. I’m all for its existence. :)
Culture definitely can change anything, especially a person, as long as that person is willing to adapt to change and willing to learn. If the willingness to adapt is not present at anystage than, that is what cause a cultural death. basicly anything can change anything, but the essence of adaptive and learning process just have to present.
Culture is my favourite topic, but I think your question is a difficult one to answer. First off, I think cultural diversity is a wonderful thing; it offers different views on similar things, and also, if investigated, it reveals that different cultures really think quite similarly about the important things in life. Sadly, however, majority of people do not take the time to try to understand other people or the world from any other point of view but their own.
Secondly, what is culture (especially in this context)? Is it art, or is it the language and the way people think, the values of their local society? Is it the outdated, historical concept of a people? It all depends.
I’m bound to think that any one thing alone cannot change the world, but I believe that if any one thing COULD, then it would be culture in the sense of the arts; or cultures striving to understand each other.
There are problems with both options: a large number of people think art is an elitist hobby, something “my four year old could draw”, or simply something completely irrelevant to everyday life. I wrote about this at length in one of my blog posts (http://bit.ly/gzOwrk) and I really think that artists (writers, musicians, poets, painters) are the driving force for critical dialogue about conventions and sensitive topics.
The problem of cultures willing to strive for mutual understanding is equally challenging: I often find that individuals are smart and kind and thoughtful, but people are stupid and egoistical and xenophobic, and prone to mass hysteria (just look at fear of Muslims in contemporary world). The masses, I think, are more easily controlled and manipulated by the politics than they are by culture, and therein lies the larger issue. I see politicians (as a group) as the enemy of a better world, although I acknowledge that there’s probably a great number of individual politicians who are truly striving to improve the lives of their people. Culture is the underdog to the combination of politics, power and wealth.
As for solutions… I don’t know. Some days I think humankind is bound for self destruction and the world is better off that way. Other days I wish I could do something to change the course and strive to save both the humans and the world. That’s a lot of weight on just one heart. :)
Also: sorry. I do tend to ramble on and on, and I’m not sure if I got to make any significant points.
TL;DR: I think culture is (probably) the only force that can effect change, if anything can; politics is driven by power, and culture is the only thing that can speak across generations, class divided and (in case of art/culture) hopefully also across borders.
I think culture has a big influence. We are all raised in a certain culture, and it forms our morals, believes and thoughts about the world through interactions with the people around us, and the things we experience… but I think in asking if culture could change anything, it would have to mean the culture or something else (economic situation, ..) would have to change, if it where to create a different situation… I feel I do experience that sometimes.
For example, in my country, every year there is a happening organised by a radio station. Some of their hosts stay in a glass house (in a city centre) for a week (right before christmas) and call upon the listeners to donate money or do something for the current cause. this year the money will go to orphans of parents who had AIDS. At the and of the happening , our gouvernement doubles the amount that was raised by the people. During that week, you see a lot of people making a big effort for this cause. It warms my heart to see. The reason this is possible I think is caused by many factors, like current technology, but also the religion that has an influence on our morals. Christmas, a time many of us experience as a time for family, warmth and happyness, I think makes us thankfull and generous for others that might experience more hardship in life.
A traves de la internet hemos descubierto otras maneras de comunicacion y porsupuesto esto hace que nuestra cultura tradicional de comunicacion trascienda a otro plano a la red. Pienso que cuando estamos en anonimato afloramos nuestro verdadero ser, queremos compartir esos pensamientos que tambien nacen en nuestro ser y que sabemos pueden ayudar o ser parte de otra personan, las verdaderas relaciones nacen en la comunicacion, y ves cuanta gente se comunica a diario e intercambiamos ideas y nos sentimos en plena seguridad de no ser jusgados o rechasados, buscamos la aceptacion y sobre todo buscamos la bendicion y la felicidad. Puedo decir con mi experiencia personal que siento como se ha sentido estimulda mi alma al ver que otros dan sus mejores o simplemente dan sus pensamientos para compatir y esto me ha hecho liberar mi mente y sacando a cada instante lo mejor de mi.. A veces pienso que ando loca!! Pero siento como trascienden mis conocimientos en las cosas mas simples de la vida!! Amen..
Definitely,yes I think. ;) Twitter has changed my lifestyle. I can’t stop checking timeline to see what’s going on and what my friends are doing or even eating. And I prefer to see news thru twitter than to turn on the tv or to read newpapers which I think I should be more newspaper-friendly-person. Thru this new sns, I could be the person who wants to interact with more friends or communicate with sb I even don’t know which I somtimes feel useless to put my energy and time into sns. :)
BUT, mostly I’M PUTTING WORDS IN YOUR BLOG!! hoping you might READ mine, from Korea.
La cultura siempre es buena pero si no va acompañada de un cambio en el corazón el mundo seguirá siempre igual, de nada sirve que cambién las estructuras sociales que oprimen a los indefensos,que todo el mundo tenga derecho a una educación y por lo tanto adquiera cultura sino cambia nuestro corazón.
Como decía Tolstoi sólo la belleza salvará el mundo y esa belleza es Jesucristo el único que puede transformar el corazón del hombre en un lugar dónde habita la misericordia.
A very good question. But i think that the power of culture to change the world is limited… As you all know there are many,many cultures, no one is going to give up on his culture for some one elses.
Yet if you really want change in the world, look at the culture with in. Look in your heart. One man can’t change the world, or bring it peace, but the can do all he can, and one by one, the whole world will see ( just like the ocean, drop by drop, one drop cant make the ocean, but many can.)
Find peace with in, to bring peace to the world.
Queria ouvir esse video in portuguese… Bom dia, bom domingo, boa semana, Mago! Sim, eu penso! Só ela pode, penso também! Precisamos de luz para os espíritos e só a luz nos espíritos nos levará a mais e melhor educação e só essas duas nos levarão a mais inteligência e entendimento, mais respeito, harmonia, amor, compreensão, espírito de justiça, de verdade, de bondade, de compaixão, de igualdade, de verdadeira fraternidade, colaboração… e só essas coisas todas juntas é que poderão fazer de fato as coisas começarem a mudar nesse imenso mundo!
Yes, culture can change anything, but keep in mind that a thing can also change a culture.
Mr. Paulo Coelho yes, culture can change everything. our norms, attitude, the way we talk and even the way we dress. In a country like Philippines (where i came from) where culture are preserved and given importance then it affect how we live. My professor once said that maybe our country is still on the third world because we are bounded by our culture.
It’s the depend of the upbringing of a person if he let culture affects their life. But then, it can make difference so it can change everything.
God bless
culture can change anything. culture as we know it serves as the very foundation of many people that it affects our lifestyle. It affects how we deal with things. It’s like the reflection of what we are or what our society is.
Yes, the internet really helps in relaying different cultures with each other….it fosters learning through tolerance and acceptance….yes, we are all different but still in our difference we can find that one common thing that binds us together….if people would just learn to “empty their cups” then a change could be inevitable….
i think it can change anything because for me culture affect people in many ways. culture is the one followed by people it is not like a government rule but like a way for the people to represent themselves as we change the culture the impressions from other people are also change. for me it is like our reflections thats why its somewhat powerful that can change something
Changing the world through cultures is like building castles in the air. You need to put the foundations.
Unfortunately the mainstream of the world is going to another direction.
No – culture can`t change anything in this world.
Greetings Mr. Coelo,
my point of view:
A cultures’ resident creates the cultures’ characteristics.
The fact that cultures are spread all over the world leads us to the thought, that every culture has important characteristics that other cultures lack / don’t have.
So, actually, to improve the world, we need to reunite different cultures step by step without any prejudices or judgements, that will open a LOT of different views of the world, of life.
God created mankind like a blueprint of hisself and men are scattered around the world, as pieces that need to get back together, that would be a great improvement to change the world. Thats the way how we learn what exactly needs to be done…
Yours faithfully
–Alexander–
Hello Mr. Coelho, I think culture can’t change everything. Although it can take a large portion of our lives and preoccupy us to some degree there are stronger things people share in essence. One of the most obvious things would be emotions such as love, hate, boredom and etc. For example two different people form opposite ends of the world can still understand and love each other although their culture might teach different, And when you read the Bible even Christ knew this since he spoke against traditions/culture of the Jews and managed to change the whole world for the outcome. So I think culture can change some things but what really change things is us.
I think everything can change things, so culture can change things too…We all know that the greatest civilizations had always a flourishing culture too, expression of the beauty and art of the time…I am amazed by my my own changing in the way I think or discuss upon an argument as I study more and more. Of course culture can be presented to somebody in a way or other, so thats the difference, can be a sort of manipulation, or influence to ones mind. One need somebody to guide him among the great quantity of information.
By the way, wishing everybody a Happy Saint NIcholas!!!
in my country kids tonight receive gifts in shoes (if they were good) and some gilded braches of tree…thats not sign of being a bad kid anymore…Hope you receive too gifts.
Love
Alexandra( by the way is my onomastic too, my other name being Nicoleta)
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