Dear Paul,

I certainly don't have the answers to the problem of
domestic violence. I feel that education certainly
could help. It has to start early. Culture certainly
makes a difference and perhaps many of us don't
really understand the difference that culture makes.
Every culture is different and personal.

Not living in the NT - many of us are not aware of
what's going on and the problems involved. That's
why I mentioned The Voice - where the Aboriginal
communities were asking to give advice to governments
on the problems that affect them.

Do these problems go deeper? I don't know. I suspect,
the problems are deep and entrenched. A matriarchy
perhaps? As you said - education for all would
possibly be of benefit.

Hi Foxy, Merry Christmas.

Educated people, and those who gain a level of economic freedom through education, will in most cases rise above cultural norms which promote negative divisions within their particular group. That's not to say people with a propensity towards violence wont be violent, they will. Its not much different within our own society.

Dear Paul,

I guess we all need to better
understand and appreciate not only the Aboriginal
but other cultures as well, within
our country if we want to establish relationships
build strong alliances, and try to solve problems.
So if we're working with people it would help to have some
perspective and understanding of their cultures. As you said,
education is key.

At the same time we can't pretend our cultures and differences
don't matter. We can't gloss over differences and pretend
they don't exist, wishing we could all be alike, And,
we can't pretend biases and discrimination doesn't exist.

All we can do is remember that everyone has an important
viewpoint and role to play. We need people to work
together and be included in the decision making process
for things to work and recognise that cultural
inclusion goes hand in hand with a just and equitable
society.

A wish to you and yours for love, peace, and happiness
at Christmas and
throughout the coming New Year 2025.

How can you have an intelligent discussion when the likes of Canem Malum refer to a 'sub-culture"? Such comments cement Carl Sagan's observation that western culture has this blind spot whereby they refuse to acknowledge that anyone else could possibly teach them something.

A huge shout-out to Foxy and Paul who still politely engage with these individuals. You are so much more tolerant than I could be.

Carl Sagan was apparently had a "Reform Hebrew" background. There are many that want to come to Western nations then complain they are "too Western"- well der.

If anything this lowers my estimation of Carl Sagan specifically and Hebrew intelligence generally.

At least Peter Drucker and Alvin Toffler balance the scales somewhat.

In a sense Carl Sagan's comments may be a form of projection- based on his sense of being isolated from the dominant culture. I think that it could be said that Westerners believed that Carl Sagan could teach them something.

Physics can be a lonely pursuit.

Freud (and Edward Bernays) also Hebrew had similar but even more concerning projections perhaps- he referred to "the dangerous crowd" in democratic nations and even wrote a book about it. Often before someone goes to war against someone else they will present that group as dangerous. Of course this doesn't mean that every dangerous group is a matter of projection.

At least Carl Sagan didn't present Western culture and people as a threat, as Aries54 seems to be doing.

Every culture should have their own nation.

Maybe Aries54 doesn't identify with the mainstream culture, and is hostile to the west, which is why he might want to write The West out of their own narrative.

Talking about nations and cultures?

There's so many to admire.

Surely we've all enjoyed British actors, musicians,
watching their theatres, films, tv shows. We have to
admit there's something that is great about being
British. I recently saw a t-shirt that had the
following message on it - "Drink Russian, Drive German,
Wear Italain, Kiss French".

So much to admire from so many.

Each having deep traditions, culture and history.
i
All worth noting in their own remarkable way.
Germany is known for its quality management, of
getting the job done with minimal waste and quality
output. Japan for its civility and innovation. Italy
knows how to live the good life. Sweden - for its good work/
life balance , just to name a few.

It's an exciting world we live in. And so much to travel to
and learn from.