Comments for Imagine There's No Countries . . . http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com Considering the Possibility and Practice of Global Citizenship Sun, 17 May 2009 15:34:30 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on The Geothe and Caneti Connection by bklunk http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/the-geothe-and-caneti-connection/#comment-109 bklunk Sun, 17 May 2009 15:34:30 +0000 http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/?p=88#comment-109 Note how much you anticipated Appiah here. Note how much you anticipated Appiah here.

]]> Comment on Cosmopolitanism in Music by bklunk http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/03/cosmopolitanism-in-music/#comment-108 bklunk Fri, 15 May 2009 05:56:29 +0000 http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/?p=106#comment-108 Seems to me Appiah had something to say about this--both the broken mirror bit--any musical tradition is capable of expression but also has limits in its capacity--but music is a universal and we are able to appreciate and learn from music outside our accustomed traditions. Seems to me Appiah had something to say about this–both the broken mirror bit–any musical tradition is capable of expression but also has limits in its capacity–but music is a universal and we are able to appreciate and learn from music outside our accustomed traditions.

]]> Comment on Sister Cities International: A Global Citizen Diplomacy Network by bklunk http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/sister-cities-international-a-global-citizen-diplomacy-network/#comment-107 bklunk Fri, 15 May 2009 05:14:07 +0000 http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/?p=44#comment-107 Yes, Stockton has a half dozen or more sister cities. We keep adding them and it's hard to keep track, but there has been a clear effort to parallel Stockton's ethnic make-up. Yes, Stockton has a half dozen or more sister cities. We keep adding them and it’s hard to keep track, but there has been a clear effort to parallel Stockton’s ethnic make-up.

]]> Comment on HP and Global Citizenship by byersk http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/2009/04/24/hp-and-global-citizenship/#comment-106 byersk Fri, 08 May 2009 19:49:45 +0000 http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/?p=140#comment-106 I will pass judgement on whether or not HP is worthy of the status of the global citizenship. Its good to see that HP wants to grade themselves but I do agree that a self evaluation really isn't enough. However I will point out an example of their willingness to recycle products. If you purchase HP inks for your printer, you are provided with an envelope (which happens to be green) with which to return your used ink cartridge at no cost to you so it can be recycled by HP. I will pass judgement on whether or not HP is worthy of the status of the global citizenship. Its good to see that HP wants to grade themselves but I do agree that a self evaluation really isn’t enough.

However I will point out an example of their willingness to recycle products. If you purchase HP inks for your printer, you are provided with an envelope (which happens to be green) with which to return your used ink cartridge at no cost to you so it can be recycled by HP.

]]> Comment on Potential flaw of globalization? by byersk http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/2009/04/28/potential-flaw-of-globalization/#comment-105 byersk Fri, 08 May 2009 19:32:09 +0000 http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/?p=148#comment-105 The informal name can be misleading. I pulled this exploration from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website: "This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs." If you want to sound smart and less panicked, you can call it H1N1 rather than the swine flu. The informal name can be misleading. I pulled this exploration from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website:

“This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs.”

If you want to sound smart and less panicked, you can call it H1N1 rather than the swine flu.

]]> Comment on Information technology and globalization by byersk http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/2009/04/26/information-technology-and-globalization/#comment-104 byersk Fri, 08 May 2009 19:11:12 +0000 http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/?p=144#comment-104 I recall being exposed to this statistical data and predictions around a year and half ago. Yes it's a lot of information that's being thrown at you, but the most important part of the video was the question at the end: "So what does it all mean?" It means that the increase in information technology is widening the doorway for the cross-cultural communication that Appiah talks about. But it could also mean that the "strength of a culture" will be destroyed. I recall being exposed to this statistical data and predictions around a year and half ago. Yes it’s a lot of information that’s being thrown at you, but the most important part of the video was the question at the end: “So what does it all mean?” It means that the increase in information technology is widening the doorway for the cross-cultural communication that Appiah talks about. But it could also mean that the “strength of a culture” will be destroyed.

]]> Comment on Cosmopolitanism in Music by rfrankl http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/03/cosmopolitanism-in-music/#comment-102 rfrankl Tue, 05 May 2009 07:58:27 +0000 http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/?p=106#comment-102 Well said, well said. On your first point, that could be because they have never ascended out of their cave. You're right that in the last century with Stravinsky, Shoenburg, Glass, and Cage we have descended into nothingness with no direction and no ideas. Although when we were at our peak in the late 17th to the late 19th there was nothing like it. I respect my traditions. I respect the ideas that were given to the Western cannon by the Hellens, that is an awareness of how beauty and symmetry do come in pairs. I said that this is not a matter of argument or contest of words. It is something for you to go and discover yourself. I will listen to more of the tribal because it does have its charms such as an erotic and unusual beat; I believe all artistic attempts persude by humans have some merit, that merit is not always doled out in equal portions though. Well said, well said.

On your first point, that could be because they have never ascended out of their cave.

You’re right that in the last century with Stravinsky, Shoenburg, Glass, and Cage we have descended into nothingness with no direction and no ideas. Although when we were at our peak in the late 17th to the late 19th there was nothing like it.

I respect my traditions. I respect the ideas that were given to the Western cannon by the Hellens, that is an awareness of how beauty and symmetry do come in pairs. I said that this is not a matter of argument or contest of words. It is something for you to go and discover yourself. I will listen to more of the tribal because it does have its charms such as an erotic and unusual beat; I believe all artistic attempts persude by humans have some merit, that merit is not always doled out in equal portions though.

]]> Comment on “Italy: Taking on the Mafia” by clark128 http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/italy-taking-on-the-mafia/#comment-101 clark128 Mon, 04 May 2009 14:18:28 +0000 http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/?p=62#comment-101 An interesting video, Jon. You know, not only do I feel that this applies to the country of Italy, but perhaps organized crime all over the world. The "Pizzo" is a tried and true method used by just about every gang and criminal organization. If more people were willing to refuse compliance with organized crime and their taxes then it would indeed break there backs. Really, this teaches a valuable lesson. An interesting video, Jon. You know, not only do I feel that this applies to the country of Italy, but perhaps organized crime all over the world. The “Pizzo” is a tried and true method used by just about every gang and criminal organization. If more people were willing to refuse compliance with organized crime and their taxes then it would indeed break there backs. Really, this teaches a valuable lesson.

]]> Comment on Cosmopolitanism in Music by clark128 http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/03/cosmopolitanism-in-music/#comment-100 clark128 Mon, 04 May 2009 13:55:51 +0000 http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/?p=106#comment-100 Most ethnomusicologists would have to disagree with you. If you want to talk about what we (westerners) do best you cannot say "We are best at music". As Maya has pointed out before me your natural predisposition to this music has a lot to do with your upbringing, and people more exposed to a different cultures music would probably feel quite differently. But I strayed from my point. You can't say that western music is the better music. You could probably say something like "Westerners have the most developed and complex harmonic system". To you (as it is to me) this is the most desirable trait in music, which means your appreciation for it is deepest. However, many people from other countries do not feel that this is an important aspect of music, and believe that things such as improvisation, rhythm or balance is the most important aspect of music. For example, in most middle eastern nations the traditional music is usually valued for its spiritual significance and how well it portrays the faith. Most westerners have a hard time appreciating it (myself included) but to the Muslims who live there it is the best kind of music. Or, in Asia much of the music written is written to reflect balance and piece, which requires harmony to be limited so tension is not created, thereby eliminating the driving force. Most ethnomusicologists would have to disagree with you. If you want to talk about what we (westerners) do best you cannot say “We are best at music”. As Maya has pointed out before me your natural predisposition to this music has a lot to do with your upbringing, and people more exposed to a different cultures music would probably feel quite differently. But I strayed from my point. You can’t say that western music is the better music. You could probably say something like “Westerners have the most developed and complex harmonic system”. To you (as it is to me) this is the most desirable trait in music, which means your appreciation for it is deepest. However, many people from other countries do not feel that this is an important aspect of music, and believe that things such as improvisation, rhythm or balance is the most important aspect of music. For example, in most middle eastern nations the traditional music is usually valued for its spiritual significance and how well it portrays the faith. Most westerners have a hard time appreciating it (myself included) but to the Muslims who live there it is the best kind of music. Or, in Asia much of the music written is written to reflect balance and piece, which requires harmony to be limited so tension is not created, thereby eliminating the driving force.

]]> Comment on Cosmopolitanism in Music by mayacu http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/03/cosmopolitanism-in-music/#comment-99 mayacu Mon, 04 May 2009 08:43:33 +0000 http://imaginepacsblog.wordpress.com/?p=106#comment-99 "but it is unharmonious and unsymmetrical, those are the things that make art beautiful" This is simply your opinion masquerading as something more important. While you believe that the music of Western composers is by far the most beautiful and the best, there are people around the world who prefer the Indian sitar, the Andean flute, or the African drums. They have just as much right to be proud of their society's musical accomplishments as we do. Our upbringing, the likes and dislikes of those around us, and the traditions of our culture will all directly affect the types of music, food, and clothing we think are "the best." It is erroneous to claim that Mexican food is better than all other types of foods because it is the perfect combination of spices and flavors. While you might think this, I think that the Ecuadorian's actually have the perfect ensemble with much more subtle tastes and very little spice. To each their own. Your obvious appreciation for Western music should not be mistaken for it being the best. The West may be the best performers (and appreciators) of their own types of music, but this does not in any way mean that we undoubtedly do all music better than anyone else. Be careful when using such blanket statements as "the best" to describe such subjective things as music, art, or food, among other things. Everyone has their own opinion and yours holds just as much significance as anyone other. “but it is unharmonious and unsymmetrical, those are the things that make art beautiful”

This is simply your opinion masquerading as something more important. While you believe that the music of Western composers is by far the most beautiful and the best, there are people around the world who prefer the Indian sitar, the Andean flute, or the African drums. They have just as much right to be proud of their society’s musical accomplishments as we do. Our upbringing, the likes and dislikes of those around us, and the traditions of our culture will all directly affect the types of music, food, and clothing we think are “the best.” It is erroneous to claim that Mexican food is better than all other types of foods because it is the perfect combination of spices and flavors. While you might think this, I think that the Ecuadorian’s actually have the perfect ensemble with much more subtle tastes and very little spice. To each their own. Your obvious appreciation for Western music should not be mistaken for it being the best. The West may be the best performers (and appreciators) of their own types of music, but this does not in any way mean that we undoubtedly do all music better than anyone else. Be careful when using such blanket statements as “the best” to describe such subjective things as music, art, or food, among other things. Everyone has their own opinion and yours holds just as much significance as anyone other.

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