Monday, May 22, 2006
The (slightly) darker side of skin colour
Consider, first, 60 - 90 years ago we had some fairly serious wars. The basic premise behind these wars was a greedy desire by some Nations, to become Empires. Japan would be a case in point. However, the result of the wars is that the likes of Japan became/remained nations, the empire dream was over and none of the Empires were formed. Also, from 1946, the world was well and truely opened up. Way back in the day, an American President was heard to utter something along the lines of: 'Our doors are open to your sick, your poor, your unemployed; the land of the free and the brave will look after them'. (Try telling that to a Mexican family trying to sneak across the US border today!). Things have changed.
Anyway, with the opening up of the world, we are seeing a distillation of what were once, almost 'pure' bloodlines - and that very distillation effect is exponential in its growth. For example - in just 4 -5 generations from now, 99% of New Zealanders will be comprised of the following bloodlines: NZ Caucasian, Maori, Pacific, Asian, European.
Yep - the great, great grandchildren of young NZr's living today will all be the same. In many ways, this will be a good thing - the race based arguments and conflict we are experiencing today will be irrelevant. They will be over.
And, the same thing will hapen all over the world. The big melting pot will be churning out coffee coloured people by the score.
Australians will look and be just like us - a mix of Caucasion/Pacific/Aboriginal (perhaps?) Asian, European, Pacific and Middle Eastern. Similar to us and identical in appearance. As will be most of the rest of the world - ultimately - we will all look the same! Seagulls will wonder how we tell each other apart!
Unfortunately, the human condition includes a capacity for hatred and conflict. Today, one of the ways we vent that hatred is via rascism. When we lose that outlet, sadly, we will replace it with something else. And when we are all built of simlar bricks, I think Nationalism will replace Racism. NZ will vent its hatred at Australia - because they are economically 'luckier' - or something. Whatever. Americans will vent their Nationalism on Britain. etc. etc. And vice versa. Our leaders will be distastefully jingoistic in their nature. This trait will taint their thinking.
Just like 1914 really. When one nation expressed their hatred of another nation by way of violence, and hey presto, a world war was born.
Can you see how a cycle is evolving here? A most unfortunate cycle is possible as nations, once again, will try to build empires perhaps?
Yep - the new Nationalism will become the new Racism. Humans! Phfft... so bloody predictable.
There is of course a solution; our future need not be so bleak; there is a way to prevent this from happening.
This, my friends, will be the next chapter.
Anyway, with the opening up of the world, we are seeing a distillation of what were once, almost 'pure' bloodlines - and that very distillation effect is exponential in its growth. For example - in just 4 -5 generations from now, 99% of New Zealanders will be comprised of the following bloodlines: NZ Caucasian, Maori, Pacific, Asian, European.
Yep - the great, great grandchildren of young NZr's living today will all be the same. In many ways, this will be a good thing - the race based arguments and conflict we are experiencing today will be irrelevant. They will be over.
And, the same thing will hapen all over the world. The big melting pot will be churning out coffee coloured people by the score.
Australians will look and be just like us - a mix of Caucasion/Pacific/Aboriginal (perhaps?) Asian, European, Pacific and Middle Eastern. Similar to us and identical in appearance. As will be most of the rest of the world - ultimately - we will all look the same! Seagulls will wonder how we tell each other apart!
Unfortunately, the human condition includes a capacity for hatred and conflict. Today, one of the ways we vent that hatred is via rascism. When we lose that outlet, sadly, we will replace it with something else. And when we are all built of simlar bricks, I think Nationalism will replace Racism. NZ will vent its hatred at Australia - because they are economically 'luckier' - or something. Whatever. Americans will vent their Nationalism on Britain. etc. etc. And vice versa. Our leaders will be distastefully jingoistic in their nature. This trait will taint their thinking.
Just like 1914 really. When one nation expressed their hatred of another nation by way of violence, and hey presto, a world war was born.
Can you see how a cycle is evolving here? A most unfortunate cycle is possible as nations, once again, will try to build empires perhaps?
Yep - the new Nationalism will become the new Racism. Humans! Phfft... so bloody predictable.
There is of course a solution; our future need not be so bleak; there is a way to prevent this from happening.
This, my friends, will be the next chapter.
