Old social values you could get behind

[Robert B. Marks]

Westaway: Canada has its own culture - I've lived here my entire life too. I've also traveled to England and the United States, and it's not hard to see just how different both are to Canada.

When you live in a place, you're immersed in the culture - it's normal for you. You have to get out of the country just to see how different it is from everybody else.

 

[AnarchistFish]

I feel that some parts of society have become entirely too sympathetic towards criminal behavior, to the point that certain criminal actions will be blamed on things like poverty or racism or a crappy childhood or something else that's ''out of that person's control''. The way I see it, anyone who blames outside factors for their criminal actions is only looking for excuses.

David Draiman, the lead singer of Disturbed (a band I don't particularly like, by the way) said something about this subject that perfectly encapsulate my feelings:

''The minute that you start blaming everything around you for why somebody loses their goddamn mind is the minute that everybody comes up with an excuse to be a maniac''

Source:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOCP-nQvPzg

David Draiman has always been a moron

 

[ninjaRiv]

Being a classy gentleman! Holding doors open and all that shit! I don't think it's that popular, any more; letting women onto a bus or through a door first seems like an alien concept to some people.

 

[gagagaga]

It's probably about time religion made a comeback in the West. I'm irreligious. Also, multiculturalism has no place outside of settler nations such as Canada/USA/Brazil.

Can I ask why to both of these? To me, religion seems like a bad thing and multiculturalism a good thing, so it's interesting that you think differently.

Multiculturalism acts in direct conflict with a national identity. That is why even in settler nations, a melting pot social structure is preferable to multiculturalism. It also creates an environment of mistrust within communities, as proven by a recent Harvard study.

Places like Europe or where ever else do not need multiculturalism because they already have a culture. Canada has no culture, therefor multiculturalism in a [flawed] way fills that void. But Germany has German culture, and it's the only place in the world where German culture exists. You only dilute that culture when you import thousands of immigrants and tell them it's okay to retain their previous culture instead of assimilating. There is nothing inherently positive about multiculturalism or diversity, and I say that as a student of the University of British Columbia- one of the most diverse communities on Earth. I have friends from very literally all around the world, but I do not value them because of that. I value them because they're good friends. Diversity means nothing to me. A diverse community is not better off than a homogenous community in anyway.

As for religion, it is a platform for self improvement which bonds communities and offers a solid moral backbone. The modern zeitgeist is confusion and nihilism.

Err... Canada very much has a culture. Like. What. I don't even know how to respond to such a statement.

There are certainly positive aspects to religion, but it's also been used as a tool of oppression - a bit too much for my liking. Plus there's the fact that, you know, there's not really any proof for the existence of the supernatural claims that every religion has. As for the last sentence, [citation needed].

 

[giles]

Being a classy gentleman! Holding doors open and all that shit! I don't think it's that popular, any more; letting women onto a bus or through a door first seems like an alien concept to some people.

Hm I disagree. Being born with a vagina is not an accomplishment worthy of my recognition. I let older, sickly or pregnant people through first because they should take priority on seats and are slower than average.
I will naturally find a standing position rather than occupying a seat when I sense the train might be crowded because I'm in sublime physical condition, but I can't show respect to someone based on gender alone. Feigning respect out of politeness to people who don't deserve it takes away from all of the people you genuinely respect.

 

[Weaver]

Monogamy is still a thing, right? That's how I like my relationships anyways.

 

[ninjaRiv]

Being a classy gentleman! Holding doors open and all that shit! I don't think it's that popular, any more; letting women onto a bus or through a door first seems like an alien concept to some people.

Hm I disagree. Being born with a vagina is not an accomplishment worthy of my recognition. I let older, sickly or pregnant people through first because they should take priority on seats and are slower than average.
I will naturally find a standing position rather than occupying a seat when I sense the train might be crowded because I'm in sublime physical condition, but I can't show respect to someone based on gender alone. Feigning respect out of politeness to people who don't deserve it takes away from all of the people you genuinely respect.

But... Vaginas are all that matters...

But obviously, all the people you mentioned should get preferential treatment. Doesn't mean letting a lady through a door first or helping her with her bags isn't a nice thing to do. Don't get me wrong, I try to be nice and polite to EVERYONE but the whole "gentleman" thing always seemed like a good idea to me.

 

[CaitSeith]

Respect and trust on real science and real scientists. Anyone can search about cosmic rays in the Internet and declare he knows more about rocket science than NASA.

 

[Tom Roberts]

Craftsmanship. The idea of planned obsolescence and/or replaceable (rather than repairable) goods is one that can hit the rubbish heap.

 

[SacremPyrobolum]

I wish we could turn back the clock on inflation. I would be able to live on my saving probably for the rest of my life!

 

[Westaway]

Err... Canada very much has a culture. Like. What. I don't even know how to respond to such a statement.

No, it doesn't. I've lived in Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver. I've traveled the country extensively, including two pan-Canada road trips. There is no such thing as Canadian culture.

There are certainly positive aspects to religion, but it's also been used as a tool of oppression - a bit too much for my liking. Plus there's the fact that, you know, there's not really any proof for the existence of the supernatural claims that every religion has. As for the last sentence, [citation needed].

I'm not talking about a theocracy and whether or not the religion is actually true is completely irrelevant, as long as people believe in it.

 

[Flames66]

Craftsmanship. The idea of planned obsolescence and/or replaceable (rather than repairable) goods is one that can hit the rubbish heap.

I agree with this. Once I buy something I don't expect to have to buy it again a week later. I've taken to making alot of things myself for this reason.

It's also one of the major problems with the new windows operating systems. They haven't even finished Windows 7 yet and they're already planning to release Windows 9. Windows XP was The standard operating system for nearly a decade (still is in many places) and I have no intention of buying an OS newer than Vista for at least that long.

 

[Sean Milligan]

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." If more people treated others the way they would like to be treated, a lot of stuff just clears itself up on its own. Honestly this is all I would like to see, and its a very old principle never seeming to catch on with most people, and very likely never will. But it would be nice to see more of, without any bias toward my own life choices. I respect others freedom to live the life they want to pursue, and defend my own right to do likewise, just as I defend the right for others to make choices I may not agree with... but isn't that the fair way to try and do it? Maybe "Live and let live." fits too some what.

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

But Germany has German culture, and it's the only place in the world where German culture exists.

Diversity means nothing to me. A diverse community is not better off than a homogenous community in anyway.

These two things are in conflict in my mind. I only truly appreciate Malay culture because my flatmate was Malaysian (coming to study here at the age of 20), and we both took the time to talk about our cultures and share our experiences. I wrote her a christmas card in malay and she made me a breakfast traditional to her people. It was really interesting and fun to learn about her people first hand without spending money to go abroad. I tried the food, i learned a tiny amount of the language and i learned about what its like there. That understanding is worth something i think. We related. Shes going to go back to visit or stay forever depending on her choice post-study but she has a story about actually knowing an English person and sharing culture with them. She ate a full christmas roast because our flat threw one.

See why is Germanic culture worth preserving? Because its unique, interesting, vibrant and worth taking the time to appreciate. Which is why living with and forming a dialogue with people from other cultures can be refreshing, i liked being able to share stories about our values, holidays and opinions. That was fun. If you value other cultures then why not value talking to people FROM that culture who can share parts of it with you. Unless by diversity you mean people of that ethnic origin of a different colour who have no real link to it all raised in the same melting pot culture. But talking to natives visiting your native land is a totally different experience. I want to GO to germany rather than just look at pictures of it. Because the people are part of the culture and interacting with them is directly sharing it. Having someone native to Malaysia come here and talk to me, cook me the food her family cooked her that is part of nation, tell me her language, thats not something i can do in a homogenised community.

Of course if by diverse you mean just ticking the rainbow of skin colours yeah, theres no tangible benefit at all. I mean like, diversity that requires you to share stuff about eachother on a personal level.

 

[Westaway]

But Germany has German culture, and it's the only place in the world where German culture exists.

Diversity means nothing to me. A diverse community is not better off than a homogenous community in anyway.

These two things are in conflict in my mind. I only truly appreciate Malay culture because my flatmate was Malaysian (coming to study here at the age of 20), and we both took the time to talk about our cultures and share our experiences. I wrote her a christmas card in malay and she made me a breakfast traditional to her people. It was really interesting and fun to learn about her people first hand without spending money to go abroad. I tried the food, i learned a tiny amount of the language and i learned about what its like there. That understanding is worth something i think. We related. Shes going to go back to visit or stay forever depending on her choice post-study but she has a story about actually knowing an English person and sharing culture with them. She ate a full christmas roast because our flat threw one.

See why is Germanic culture worth preserving? Because its unique, interesting, vibrant and worth taking the time to appreciate. Which is why living with and forming a dialogue with people from other cultures can be refreshing, i liked being able to share stories about our values, holidays and opinions. That was fun. If you value other cultures then why not value talking to people FROM that culture who can share parts of it with you. Unless by diversity you mean people of that ethnic origin of a different colour who have no real link to it all raised in the same melting pot culture. But talking to natives visiting your native land is a totally different experience. I want to GO to germany rather than just look at pictures of it. Because the people are part of the culture and interacting with them is directly sharing it. Having someone native to Malaysia come here and talk to me, cook me the food her family cooked her that is part of nation, tell me her language, thats not something i can do in a homogenised community.

You've basically described a best case scenario, and all you got out of it was a second hand cultural experience and a good friend.

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

You've basically described a best case scenario, and all you got out of it was a second hand cultural experience and a good friend.

I had a similar (though not quite as in depth) experience with my bulgarian flatmate too. It wasnt particularly hard to achieve a best case scenario. People coming to live in your country tend to be nervous and open to friendliness. Go say hi, go the extra mile and make them feel welcome, make them a jello or some potato stew or fish and chips or whatever. Represent your culture at its best! They tend to respond quite kindly from my experience. But thats purely personal, maybe im lucky.

You say "All i got" but i value that experience pretty highly. I can understand why you might not, but it isnt fair to say there was "no benefit" when i found a benefit in it. People can and do find benefit.

 

[Westaway]

You've basically described a best case scenario, and all you got out of it was a second hand cultural experience and a good friend.

I had a similar (though not quite as in depth) experience with my bulgarian flatmate too. It wasnt particularly hard to achieve a best case scenario. People coming to live in your country tend to be nervous and open to friendliness. Go say hi, go the extra mile and make them feel welcome, make them a jello or some potato stew or fish and chips or whatever. Represent your culture at its best! They tend to respond quite kindly from my experience. But thats purely personal, maybe im lucky.

You say "All i got" but i value that experience pretty highly. I can understand why you might not, but it isnt fair to say there was "no benefit" when i found a benefit in it. People can and do find benefit.

The benefits you found were entirely personal and ignore the fact that multiculturalism on the macro-scale has degenerating results.

 

[Fieldy409_v1legacy]

I think having a good and wise king rule us for his lifetime would be very much preferable to our popularity contest democracy where any longterm plans can be immediately turfed when the other guy gets elected.

Course having a monarchy rule would be basically flipping a coin every time you get a new King whether they are shit or not. Then theres the whole civil war problem when the crown is disputed.

 

[Vault101]

Places like Europe or where ever else do not need multiculturalism because they already have a culture. Canada has no culture, .

hold on a second....who are you to decide who does or doesn't have a culture?

Canada DOES have a culture, its only because to you its so similar to American culture you assume its culturless...you assume its the [I/]default[/I] kind of like how americans say they "have" no accents because in their minds American in the boring default

kind of like Australia...you ask some people they'd say we don't have a culture, we do, we have an ex-british colony western first world culture with a few variations here and there....sure some people find it unremarkable compared to the quaintness of Europe or the much more varied culture of America....because were an incredibly young country that came from a "pre-set" place

but to assume we have no culture at all is the very definition of anglo-centrism

 

[Westaway]

Places like Europe or where ever else do not need multiculturalism because they already have a culture. Canada has no culture, .

hold on a second....who are you to decide who does or doesn't have a culture?

As a born and raised Canadian who has lived in three cities and traveled the country widely, I can very easily declare Canada has no discernible or practical culture. If you're aware of some magical culture I've never encountered but lives on in the hearts and minds of all Canadians, feel free to explain it to me. I love this country, but it's culturally destitute.