One of the things we tend to hear a lot from young people nowadays is -
"Oh...I love to experience different cultures"
A sentiment that I have always found a tad problematic, as it typically emanates from people who understand their own inherited culture v poorly.
(Contd..)
"Oh...I love to experience different cultures"
A sentiment that I have always found a tad problematic, as it typically emanates from people who understand their own inherited culture v poorly.
(Contd..)
To me, "culture" is a product of several centuries of lived experience and history. It can best be studied through dry books. It can seldom be "experienced" by hopping between restaurants, and trying different cuisines
Back in the 19th century, "Culture" is something one studied.
Not by changing one's lifestyle. Or trying out new cuisines.
But by good old fashioned reading.
Not by changing one's lifestyle. Or trying out new cuisines.
But by good old fashioned reading.
Eg : Someone like Max Muller became the foremost western scholar of Indian religion and culture by not setting foot on India.
He became a savant by reading up. Pure and simple.
He became a savant by reading up. Pure and simple.
In an Indian context, you had someone like Nirad Choudhari in early 20th century, who was extremely well versed in British history and British culture, while wearing a dhoti in Calcutta, long before he ever set foot in England at the age of 57
So if you are a 22 yr old in Bombay, wishing to learn more about "American culture", then you are better off going to the library and borrowing Federalist Papers, Tocqueville, Mark Twain and Steinbeck, and perhaps some Jimmy Stewart movies.
As opposed to ordering steak in a mall
As opposed to ordering steak in a mall
This old fashioned way of reading dry books to "understand" culture is now passe
The cliche - "oh...i like exploring diff cultures" now merely means restaurant-hopping, hanging out with some firang friends - none of which teaches you much about the "culture" you wish to study
The cliche - "oh...i like exploring diff cultures" now merely means restaurant-hopping, hanging out with some firang friends - none of which teaches you much about the "culture" you wish to study
Restaurant hopping can at best cause some indigestion coupled with consumption of items which you have no clue how to cook
To me developing a taste for food that you can't cook yourself is the surest sign of deracination
It is not a sign of getting "cultural enlightenment"
To me developing a taste for food that you can't cook yourself is the surest sign of deracination
It is not a sign of getting "cultural enlightenment"
That brings me back to my other somewhat unpopular view -
Books and the much derided "bookish knowledge" is underrated.
"Experiential" stuff is overrated
Books and the much derided "bookish knowledge" is underrated.
"Experiential" stuff is overrated
