Ayn Rand seemed to think that civilizations such as Islam and Marxism and China were failed states of mysticism because they didn't produce anything. They didn't have the vision of mass production. In a sense Islam and Marxism and China has a common governing philosophy as indicated by Machiavelli. The mideast relied on it's position on the silk/ spice road between China and Rome to profit from the transport of goods- but they didn't seem to produce anything themselves. You could argue that the mideast isn't suitable for production because of it's climate, and the only reason it was populated was because of it's proximity to the African cradle. The mideast as the first stop out of the cradle, was occupied by those without purpose enough to find a better place to live, and the mindset evolved accordingly, those with purpose moved on. Pre-occupied with city gossip rather than life, waiting for someone else to tell them what to do, and those telling them not having enough capability and thought to teach anyone better.

Perhaps a dividing filter in intelligence

Kudos Kid,

You seem to be some kind of Googleholic, with all these inane posts of yours, do you think anyone is actually interested. You continually give new meaning to the phrase "Reds under the beds", anyone who is not some extreme right wing nut job, is a Marxists according to you. AND, to inflate your own ego you continually bestow "Kudos" to the like minded, as if you are some pompous royal arse bestowing honours on lesser mortals. Great Work Mate, Happy 2025!

Hi Paul,

I've never forgotten my roots. Nobody should.
They define you. Though they shouldn't
limit you.

I think many of us grew up with being forced to
assimilate into English culture. Integration
came much later. So the emphasis on English
culture by some here is understandable. Australia
has changed but for many, it's still
English and England that very much, still resonates.
For the older generation it probably always will.

It will be the younger generations who will define
our national identity. In any case here's a link
for those who are nostalgic about the past:

http://richardkoch.net/blog/11-in-praise-of-the-english

Merry Christmas.

I liked Rudyard Kipling's "Kim".

Hi Foxy, Happy New Year, peace and kindness be yours in 2025.

When a group loses language that's the first step in losing cultural identity. Lost of homeland identity is another factor, so to are social influences of a culture, food, dance, song, costume, socializing with others who identify as you do, all are important in maintaining a degree of cultural identity. As one loses those old cultural trappings and is exposed more and more to the dominant surrounding cultural environment then its inevitable that the old culture will be replaced with something new. Culture is not static, its dynamic, and changes within a culture brought about by outside influences are inevitable. Australian identity in 2024 is not the same as it was in 1924, cultural movement has taken place, through a multitude of influences, not the lease a change in the migrant mix, and what a great benefit that has been for the Australian ethos.

Dear Paul,

I'm trying to make sense of it all. In the past I took
so much for granted. I accepted what I was taught at school
and uni. - Untill I was older and travelled.
I hadn't realized that I had lived in
a bubble.

I wasn't even aware that Australia had a "White
Australia Policy". It didn't affect me, so I didn't question
it. One day - I was confronted by an Afro-American at work in Los
Angeles. It was after that my education broadened.

Today, Australia is far more diverse. It's part of our
lifestyle. Today for most people there's little
self-consciousness and even less tokenism expressed.

However, although we are more diverse today, there's still some
who long for the past. For the "good old days". And as
I said earlier - That is understandable. British culture was
such a strong influence in Australia's identity.

American, European, Asian, Middle-Eastern,
influences have also all played a
part. Significantly changing Australia's identity.

Especially when the government abadoned its "White Australia
Policy" and replaced it with multicultural policies.

it is important for the sake of unity and inclusion to try
to understand opposing viewpoints. I'm not suggesting condoning
discrimination and racism. What I am suggesting is recognising
and showing respect for the positive influences of the past.

Because which ever way we argue - Australia today is
unrecognizable from the Australia of the past. We should
try to understand the fears of some that the country is
becoming more Asian, less Christian, and more openly gay.
Having discussions about these concerns would be healthy.

I'm Just trying to make sense
of things and stay positive and look to the future with
optimism.