Reply #46: My issue with the clash of civilizations [View All]

[Lithos]

Is the idea it implies of a singularity whether it is a singular meme, singular winner/loser, singular all or nothing result. Truthfully, there are many dynamic movements, compressions and releases of force in the human interchange that result more in mixture of ideas and this is the norm.

What is this clash of civilizations? Is it one of moderation vs. fundamentalism? Occidentalism vs. Orientalism? Secularism vs. Religion? Imperialism vs. Nationalism? Class? Ethnic? Religious? Economic? Culinary?

When Rome took on the Barbarians who won? Did the Barbarians become Roman or did the Romans become Barbarians? Did the Normans conquer the Anglo-Saxons or did the Anglo-Saxons win? Similarly, England in India, the most popular dish in England at the moment isn't fish and chips, but curry - yet English is the language of business and law in India. In Israel, Shwarma is extremely popular served on a pita with hummus and a side of fries and it is not uncommon to hear Arab inspired music either thru the Sephardi based Mizrahi singers or groups such as Ethnix. Religion too sees the interchange - Zoroastrianism strongly influenced Catholocism and in turn was influenced by the same sources which inspired Judaism. Judaism in turn to the Mesopotamian influences also owes a great deal to the Canaanites and the Egyptians.

L-