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The statement "Ease of communication is a doubtful
advantage; it might kill a culture which is worthy of preservation!"
contains both truths and falsehoods. While the second part of the statement
requires more consideration, the first part that suggests the doubtful
advantage of ease of communication is arguable.
Mechanical communication that involves movement has seen remarkable
advancements in the last two centuries. The steam and railcar revolutionized
land travel and made distant places much closer, while the motor car's
convenience allowed people to go anywhere. The invention of airplanes by the
Wright brothers opened a new era of air travel, and today, we have
supersonic planes and rockets that make distant places on earth much closer.
Thus, ease of communication has brought people together for business and
pleasure, leading to a mingling of cultures that can improve international
understanding and appreciation of different cultures.
Verbal communication through the spoken and written word also plays a
significant role in cultural exchange. Books, magazines, newspapers, and
literature represent the written word, while the spoken word is transmitted
through various channels like radio, tape recorders, cinema, and television.
The literature of any language is a reflection of its culture, and when
people read and hear from another culture, they partake in the beauty of
that culture. While communication can have a devastating effect, as seen in
the case of yellow culture and horror comics, it generally leads to the
spread of culture and international understanding.
The second part of the statement suggests that ease of communication might
kill a culture worthy of preservation. While no culture can be immune to
change over time, the readiness with which a culture can adapt to change
reflects its dynamism. For instance, Japan and some African countries have
come under the influence of the West, but Japan has managed to preserve its
culture by absorbing only the good aspects of Western culture while keeping
its basic character intact. However, some African countries were not able to
absorb Western culture as quickly, leading to obvious differences between
the two cultures.
Cultural preservation requires that people understand that culture
represents the way of life and that no static culture can hope to survive. A
culture must have the seeds of change to thrive. While some elements of
culture can be preserved, it is up to the people to do so. The blame for
cultural loss cannot be placed on communication but on people who are blind
to the basic fact that while the material of culture may remain the same,
the dyes and designs may change.
In conclusion, the ease of communication has both advantages and
disadvantages when it comes to cultural preservation. While it has brought
people together and improved international understanding and appreciation of
different cultures, it has also led to the loss of some aspects of culture.
However, cultural preservation ultimately depends on people who understand
that a culture must have the seeds of change to thrive and who are willing
to preserve the essential aspects of their culture while embracing positive
changes that benefit their society. |
