I've been thinking about this quite a bit recently, though I think this whole KimK shitstorm has really brought it to the forefront of my thinking space. The commitment to harmony in some Asian cultures mostly works internally where everyone agrees to play by the same rules
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But on an external level, it doesn't work so well. What comes to mind is game theory: all it takes is a single bad actor defecting and you end up incurring all the losses. This automatic cooperation doesn't work when people don't agree to play.
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Which leads me to think that there are some scenarios where it may be necessary to deviate from normal cultural practice and 'act out' a little; to momentarily 'sacrifice' cultural norms for one sec to protect it in the long run.
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I understand the pride and desire to be consistent in upholding traditional values, but I think of 'if you're afraid to lose the small things, you risk losing everything'. For ex, if cultural artifacts are being stolen, you're going to have less to protect in the future
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It would be nice if everyone could stay true to their ideals (however defined) but it may be far more beneficial to actively navigate and shape reality by being strategic- then you'd have the power to protect yourself and what you deem valuable/precious?
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I agree with Les Brown’s “someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality” - but as a black man he surely also knows that there are ways in which other people’s assumptions about you *do* shape your reality in dangerous, threatening ways beyond your influence
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This makes me think of something a Dutch guy once wrote on Twitter after outlining some very... specific... cultural norms:
"We are a very tolerant people... so long as you do what's expected."
May as well have been describing Norwegian culture, for that matter.
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What you end up with is a sort of Popper-esque intolerance of intolerance.
It sometimes gets oversensitive, and does do some collateral damage, but e.g. homophobia and (outright) racism become relatively less common.
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Oh how does this work? Like no one challenges them because of a reluctance to speak up/ go against the status quo?
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