People say that life is good. But let's think about that for a minute. What good is good? Good is comfortable, good is normal, and good is a bit... well, bland. I firmly believe that we learn and grow the most when life leaves the good road and takes an onramp to exceptional expressway, or things go awry and life veers into terrible turnpike. (note: alliteration always improve the quality of a blog post).
 |
| This man knew a thing or two about action. |
The last four years I have dedicated myself to the pursuit of life outside the good lane. I named this blog after that pursuit, "A Life of Learning". Guess what friends, I was wrong. Well, maybe not wrong, but surely incomplete. Living a life a learning is wonderful, and it's vitally important for having a successful and effective existence. But it's not enough. What's missing is action. Through my learning, I've tried to passively inform the perspective of others by sharing my experiences. It was good. But now it's time for a bit of activism.
Activist in Progress
Just to define terms a bit, by activism I mean that I’m adding a second dimension to this blog that draws upon the experiences I’ve had and comments on important world issues. My goal is to do so in an informed, fair, open, forceful, wide eyed manner. Don’t worry, I’m not trying to push you in any direction. But I’m starting to know where I am going, and it would be a good thing if you came along. A good thing? How about the best of things.
 |
| Yes, becoming the next Abraham Lincoln is secretly my goal. |
And guess what, it’s a win-win game! If you don’t agree with my perspective, that’s not a problem. We gain an immense amount of knowledge from the exchanging of ideas and perspectives, and even more so if those perspectives differ. So here… we… go…
The Dangers of Exporting American/Western Culture
A phrase that is often popular with some politicians in America is “America is the greatest, best, most free, most amazing country to ever exist on Earth.” Really? The best country in the history of the planet? On what data specifically can you base that claim? Currently we are around 97th in the world in wealth equality (behind Cambodia and Uganda), 37th in world health quality (beating Cuba by two places), and if everyone followed our lifestyle we would need 3-5 earths to support the human race.
 |
| This doesn't strike me as a natural cycle. |
I mention this for two specific reasons 1) because people should be informed about the challenges facing our country and be proactive about improving the lives of the people in the Unites States, and 2) to help people realize that every country in the world should not become more like us/the Western “developed” world.
Let’s take Honduras for example, and talk specifically about western food and garbage. FIfty years ago, the people of Copan Ruinas, Honduras (the location of my language school) had a simple diet. Locally grown grains, fruits, milks, crops, etc. etc. Nothing came in a package (so only compostable waste), the food was generally healthy, and most people were in decent shape. Over the years the landscape has changed and Coca Cola, Oreos, Skittles, and numerous other western snacks are available at most local stores. As a direct result of that influence the people suffer from new food-linked diseases: obesity and diabetes, and food wrappers are more common than leaves on local jungle roads. Sweet. (Note: This blog still and will always contain cleverly subtle humor).
 |
| It's so refreshing I can barely taste the health problems. |
Now an argument could be made that I’m lumping American corporations together with American Culture. But it was demand from “developed” countries for these items that allowed the companies to grow and expand overseas. Another comment could be that Western culture has also brought a great deal of wonderful things to Honduras (cell phones, internet, improved medicine). This is undeniably true, and an amazing resource for the local people. But we are giving them the horrible planet destroying part of our culture, along with the life-changing technology piece (technology that has its own waste streams).
A Scary Place
The point I’m trying to make is that I’m absolutely terrified of a world where everyone eats and wastes like Americans. And I don’t frighten easily. The sad reality is that Western companies seeking to expand profits are going into “developing” countries and spreading the message that people should live like Americans, eat like Americans, and waste like Americans. Guess what? They shouldn’t. And if they do, we are all in a heaping pile of trouble. A pile made of unrecyclable plastic wrappers, environmental degradation, and astronomical health care costs.
 |
| We've taught them well. |
So what is the goal of this post? Let’s start thinking. Let’s start thinking about how to live cleaner, greener lives. Let’s demand products that we would want everyone in the world to use (and throw away). Let’s wake up and realize that the direction that we and the rest of the world are taking in terms of sustainable living and food choices is straight off a freaking cliff.
So that’s my thoughts on exporting those parts American and Western Culture. I’d love to hear other opinions, and if anyone has any resources (books, sites, article) on this subject, I’d love to learn more.
Cheers,
Kurt