tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318375667051435937.post798076829484986311..comments2023-08-25T16:13:51.356+01:00Comments on Martin In The Margins: Progress, primitivism and the politics of 'Avatar'Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15608932251584881007noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318375667051435937.post-47604919924215490722010-11-13T12:12:47.532+00:002010-11-13T12:12:47.532+00:00It'll sound like a cop-out but I wasn't re...It'll sound like a cop-out but I wasn't really taking sides, just remarking on the pecularities of the eco-primitivist discourse and how it has gained dominance among liberals over the former development discourse. Just because development has been tied up with exploitation and oppression in the past, doesn't mean it's inevitably so. I agree that cultural transition has to be carefully mediated but I'd like to see us regain a little of our faith in the benefits of modernity and get over our romanticisation of the 'other' - our seeming wish to deny them the benefits of modernity that we take for granted, just so we can preserve their culture in aspic to assuage our guilt at having ravaged other cultures...Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15608932251584881007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318375667051435937.post-60773875584769183072010-11-13T10:54:55.838+00:002010-11-13T10:54:55.838+00:00I don't know Martin. They're not aliens at...I don't know Martin. They're not aliens at a lower stage of development, they're human beings living like intelligent primates and sticking leaves up themselves rather than downing paracetamols, and incidentally dying because we won't release science to them. There must be some sustainable way in which we can allow those who wish to learn in that human community, to whom we owe an obligation and whose lives should not be frustrated in some primitive manner. <br /><br />Part of me wants to go in there and give them catholicism, philosophy, literature, science and ipads in short order.<br /><br />Then I think about the Native Americans, and the Maori, and what a mess their communities are because of contact and exploitation leading to what happened and wonder if those tribes--aren't they yamamano or such--shouldn't just be left alone.<br /><br />Cultural shock has to be risked, but mediated. Some things about modernity are appalling, some are great. Perhaps the governments of the regions could establish a university and require discreetly of the leaders of the groups that their teachers go along, then return.<br /><br />If of course any aliens are reading, I'm up for a ride to Saturn. :)Martin Meenaghhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06092121503713511010noreply@blogger.com