Alien Invasion!

[Steven Maas (CUTR)]

On Wed, 11 Dec 1996, Murthy Yenamandra wrote:

> Steven Maas writes:
> > While it is very tempting to decry the "pollution" of native peoples by
> > modern technology (whether in the polar regions or tropical rain forests
> > or wherever), and while I often fall prey to that temptation, the fact is
> > that generally these peoples _want_ TVs and t-shirts and computers when
> > they see them.  Who are we to tell them no, you shouldn't have them,
> > because we like you just the way you are?
> 
> In the same vein, it's also tempting to think that generally everyone
> else wants the same things (TVs, computers and cosmetics) that we not
> only want, but also want everyone else to want and are prepared to shove
> down their throats.  Which doesn't necessarily make it a fact.  The real
> fact is that we don't like them just the way they are and want them to
> be more like us.  Whether they want it or not we keep pushing the coke
> until they accept and then, of course, it's too late to change anything
> because it's the way things are and who are we indeed to deny people
> (who are now the all-powerful consumers and whose wishes suddenly are
> God's own will) what they want.
> 
> Let's compare mythologies...
> 
> Murthy

I'd like to separate the various "we"s.  The we I referred to is those who
in fact would like to see tribal cultures survive because they seem to
have a better relationship with the cosmos than "modern" cultures do.  It
seems that the we Murthy refers to are the pynchonesque they; if so I
agree with him completely that they will do their best to "keep pushing
the coke"--in more ways than one. 

I think that those in _my_ "we" need to keep in mind that native peoples
often do in fact want modern technology once they see it, and that we
should think hard before we advocate keeping them "pure"--"for their own
good." (Sort of sounds like "little brown brothers," doesn't it?) Were the
Inuit, for example "pushed" to ditch dogsleds for snowmobiles? Were
American Indians "pushed" to give up stone projectile points for metal
ones, and those for firearms?  Sure, if these peoples had been left alone
and not had to deal with intruders with modern equipment they would have,
presumably, remained happily using their native technology--until one of
their own came up with a new and improved model.  However, unless we set
aside human preserves (a _very_ problematic idea), it's impossible these
days to keep modern life out of sight.

	Steve