Doc, I think this is a very

Orlando — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:00:47 +0000

In reply to Flat Worlds, Flat Earths, and Flyover States

Doc, I think this is a very worthwhile post. You should change the title to something that will get you more google hits to get more people in on the conversation.

At your TPM post, I made the point that in the US, people's anxieties should be assuaged by a fair accounting of the changes in the media. But the media is either too partisan (FOX) or too concerned about what will get ratings (everybody else) to be responsible in their reporting.

Internationally, I think you've hit on an apt analogy. Years ago, I spent half a year in South Korea and I was struck then by the constant cultural conflict between old and new. Here was a culture fiercely proud of their thousands-year-old history and traditions but with younger people clamoring for Western clothes and Western music. Partly, I think it's what you say--the Western influence is too strong to avoid. But I was also struck by how accelerated development has a huge role in the conflict. Had South Korea industrialized at the same pace as Western countries, some of these conflicts would have time to naturally work themselves out as the country was modernizing. But since industrialization happened practically overnight, the conflicts are exacerbated by additional intensity brought on by a compressed timeline.

dagblog - Comments for "Flat Worlds, Flat Earths, and Flyover States"

Doc, I think this is a very