Thank you to Laura for sharing this wonderful Beethoven trio. I am so grateful, I didn't even use an exclamation mark to show my enthusiasm. Here is the third movement.
March 26, 2011
March 22, 2011
Tolerance Continued
I decided it would be best to break up my cultural rant into smaller, bite-sized portions. The previous post could give the impression that I believe cultural diversity is a bad thing or that I believe my own culture is superior to others. That is not what I am trying to say. I like cultural diversity. It is a big reason why I am living in another country and why I like to travel. Other cultures are interesting. They're fun. They make me think and assess my own culture. And I do not want all cultures to become the same, nor do I as a Christian think that is God's plan. (If I believed in Hinduism however...) I certainly do not want all cultures to copy the West. I love my country, but contrary to popular belief, loving something does not mean you think it is perfect.
But wait, didn't I just say that "not all cultures are created equal"? How can I jump on the bandwagon of cultural diversity after writing a statement like that? Well, that was mostly poor word choice on my part. What I meant by it was that ideas have consequences in real life. Not all ideas are equal. Cultural practices based on crap ideas (such as, to use the same example from the previous post, the idea that people from certain ethnicities are less than human) are going to have crap results.
so this is where I get frustrated with the whole "tolerance" thing. As is stated in the Pearse quote in the last post, being "tolerant" has come to mean being agnostic. Not believing in any truth. To do so would be to say that someone else's idea of truth might be wrong, and that might hurt their feelings. so in order for us all to be tolerant we, ironically, all have to be the same. Oh sure, we can choose a religion, but under this banner that amounts to about the same thing as choosing a certain flavor of ice cream. You might like "Butter Pecan Buddhism," I prefer "Cookie Dough Christianity." It's all ice cream in the end. But different religions are based on different ideas. They aren't all the same. And it's a bit of an insult to anyone who takes their religion seriously to say that they are.
But with that said, I do not think that things have to be the same in order to be equal. I'm sure I've written about this before. We tend to make value judgments on things far too quickly. A classic example is the whole gender debate that I wrote about a while ago. It's un-PC to say that there are any inborn differences between the sexes. Gender is a social construction, we are told. Now, regardless of how true or false that statement is, it is a perfect example of this whole diversity/sameness/better/worse debate. If we say that there is no inherent difference between men and women, we automatically make them equal by making them the same. sexism can then be condemned and problems of gender inequality can be solved. Easy. The other thing that we can do is make value judgments on masculinity and femininity. We can make negative comments about men and masculinity and positive comments about women and femininity in order to balance things out, so to speak. I've witnessed both approaches here, regarding gender and culture, and both seem a lot like band-aids for a cut that needs stitches. Can we respect ideas enough to acknowledge that they have real consequences? Can we at the same time acknowledge that things are different without saying one is better or worse than the other? It is easier said than done.
But wait, didn't I just say that "not all cultures are created equal"? How can I jump on the bandwagon of cultural diversity after writing a statement like that? Well, that was mostly poor word choice on my part. What I meant by it was that ideas have consequences in real life. Not all ideas are equal. Cultural practices based on crap ideas (such as, to use the same example from the previous post, the idea that people from certain ethnicities are less than human) are going to have crap results.
so this is where I get frustrated with the whole "tolerance" thing. As is stated in the Pearse quote in the last post, being "tolerant" has come to mean being agnostic. Not believing in any truth. To do so would be to say that someone else's idea of truth might be wrong, and that might hurt their feelings. so in order for us all to be tolerant we, ironically, all have to be the same. Oh sure, we can choose a religion, but under this banner that amounts to about the same thing as choosing a certain flavor of ice cream. You might like "Butter Pecan Buddhism," I prefer "Cookie Dough Christianity." It's all ice cream in the end. But different religions are based on different ideas. They aren't all the same. And it's a bit of an insult to anyone who takes their religion seriously to say that they are.
But with that said, I do not think that things have to be the same in order to be equal. I'm sure I've written about this before. We tend to make value judgments on things far too quickly. A classic example is the whole gender debate that I wrote about a while ago. It's un-PC to say that there are any inborn differences between the sexes. Gender is a social construction, we are told. Now, regardless of how true or false that statement is, it is a perfect example of this whole diversity/sameness/better/worse debate. If we say that there is no inherent difference between men and women, we automatically make them equal by making them the same. sexism can then be condemned and problems of gender inequality can be solved. Easy. The other thing that we can do is make value judgments on masculinity and femininity. We can make negative comments about men and masculinity and positive comments about women and femininity in order to balance things out, so to speak. I've witnessed both approaches here, regarding gender and culture, and both seem a lot like band-aids for a cut that needs stitches. Can we respect ideas enough to acknowledge that they have real consequences? Can we at the same time acknowledge that things are different without saying one is better or worse than the other? It is easier said than done.
March 20, 2011
Tolerance
Okay. I am going to try to tackle a very thorny topic that I have been caught in the middle of ever since arriving in Thailand. surrounded as I have been by so many very different views of culture, it's been difficult to find my bearings. But now that I've had time to gain some understanding of the situation and reflect a bit I think I'm brave enough for a blog attempt. Not sure how successful it will be, but here goes. Disclaimer: this is likely to turn into a long, unorganized rant.
I've just finished reading a very thought-provoking book called "Why the Rest Hates the West," by historian Meic Pearse. It's a bit dense a times, and I had a couple of quibbles with it, but for the most part it really struck true to the cultural conflict I've been witnessing/experiencing here. I highly recommend it.
I guess if I could simplify the situation here, it would be that I feel caught in the middle of three different worldviews. 1) Traditional Thai culture (which is really a collection of traditional Asian cultures). 2) Evangelical Christian culture (by which I mean both Protestants and Catholics engaged in some sort of ministry work over here). 3) Contemporary secular Western culture (by which I mean postmodern liberalism, or would that be liberal postmodernism?).
Now it's an interesting thing. I've sensed a lot of hostility from Westerners here who aren't Christian towards anyone who is here participating in Christian missions. I've mentioned this before. My very job title makes for awkward social interactions. I've become very careful in my responses when people ask me what I do. I usually say I teach English, or volunteer at Payap. If I indiscriminately said "I'm a Christian volunteer" not only would people have no idea what that meant, it would automatically put up a huge wall of prejudices and assumptions between me and them. Oh, one of those. Over here destroying the lovely traditional culture and infringing on people's lives.
But then here is the interesting thing. It is my perception that people who don't like Christians are just as passionate about social change as Christians are. It's just a different type of social change, based of course on different values. And this is where it gets tricky. The professor teaching the gender and sexuality class I was auditing is a perfect example. This guy was an adherent to cultural relativism and postmodern thought. "The best you can hope for is to find your own truth and at the same time be respectful of the truths which others hold." Now for those of you who didn't take Core 250 at Whitworth (and may I just say THANK YOU WHITWORTH for the Core program and for a truly awesome and well-rounded education!) postmodernism is (according to this guy) the absence of any core principle. It is the assertion that nobody has the monopoly on truth. That truth is relative. The absence of any core principle therefore becomes, ironically, the core principle of pluralism and diversity. Ironic, isn't it. Because unfortunately, as Meic Pearse astutely observes, you simply cannot exist without some sort of core principle. The very act of stating "I don't believe in core principles" is, in itself, a core principle! It is so hard to explain this to people. If I ran the universe, every school would be required to teach logic and ethics, which are ironically the two courses I most regret not taking at Whitworth.
Now, the hallmarks of the postmodern camp seem to be the principles of tolerance, diversity and cultural relativism. The really great thing about this is that if you try and disagree with these things, you set yourself up to be perceived as racist, sexist, closed-minded and ignorant. But the problem is, not all cultures are created equal. They just aren't. And if you want to say otherwise then why not don a swastika and start saying "Heil Hitler"? Okay, to be fair, that is exactly the type of thing cultural relativists are trying to avoid. After all, the Nazi platform was based partly in the idea that German culture was somehow superior. But this is where we have to be careful. Because by leaping from "making value judgments on cultures is bad" to "therefore we have no right to make value judgments," we automatically end up without any values. We throw out the baby with the bathwater. If I can't condemn certain cultural practices as wrong, why should I care about social change? If you say "I believe in tolerance because I support human rights," well, why support human rights? Cultural relativists get caught up in the idea of "who are you to impose your values upon others? Why do you think your values are better?" The funny thing is I could very easily ask them the same question. And I know they have good answers. But those answers won't be based on the ridiculous idea that all truths are created equal. My point is that postmodern thought and the idea that all cultural practices are good actually makes very little sense. The statement "truth is relative" negates the very meaning of the word "truth."
To quote Pearse "Tolerance has been radically redefined. Originally it meant that two people (or groups or institutions) that were divided by hard, nonnegotiable differences refrained from oppressing one another on account of it. Now it has come to mean dogmatic agnosticism about all truth claims and moral questions, with any dissent from it hounded at every turn." Unfortunately, Christians give members of this camp too many legitimate reasons for criticism. We do impose our own culture on others. It's often unintentional, or with good intentions, but it happens. so we're left with the rather funny situation of two opposing camps of Westerners hurling insults at each other while trying to "fix" the non-West.
March 16, 2011
Languages are interesting
summer is here, or at least it was for a while. I've gotten lucky with the weather as this year Thailand is experiencing something called the "mango rains." so it's been cool and rainy and I am very happy. The heat is coming, but right now we have seattle weather.
Payap is just about on summer vacation. The main campus is pretty dead and the first and second year nursing students have gone home. The nursing students have a different schedule and only get a couple of weeks vacation. Once again I find myself without all that much to do. We were supposed to go on a villagestay/work camp to do a building project a la Habitat for Humanity this week, but it was with students from Japan and was cancelled due to the earthquake. so instead I am learning how to write in Thai. It's so nice of Payap to pay me to study Thai. (We have actually worked out a decent job description and list of responsibilities for future volunteers and if nothing else I am pleased to have been a part of that process.) I'm also somewhat hopeful regarding the remainder of my time here as I think I am at last making progress with programs in the nursing dorm, but check back with me after March 28th... It's been a struggle and I could regale you with the joys of working and communicating in a cross-cultural setting, but I think I'll save those stories until I come home.
I am about at the halfway point. Due to the new CV schedule, it looks as though I may finish my time here at the end of september, which will give me a month to travel or perhaps just come home early depending on my finances. I am trying to think ahead about what's next. Limited success in that arena. If anything, I'm even more confused about my future career path now than I was when I came here, and that is saying something. However, living in Thailand has taught me the art of taking things one day at a time. Or at least of living in a state of Resignation Peace. And praying. A lot.
And so I hang out and study Thai and try to capitalize on this opportunity as much as possible. I actually feel a bit guilty about continuing to study in Payap's intensive Thai program. It feels a bit unnecessary and rather unpractical. And yet the prospect of learning to write in another alphabet is too tempting to pass up. We have a new ajaan who's teaching style is a little less... aggressive but also not quite as practical. There is a lot of learning by rote, which means I tend to do my own thing a lot of the time. I sit in class, pouring over a chart of the Thai alphabet, trying to figure out the logic. I am such a nerd, but I love it. It's the same thrill that I got learning to decipher jazz chords while studying improv. somewhere in that collection of squiggles and shapes is a system that, once understood, can be used to create and communicate. All I have to do is crack the code. It's too bad "professional student" is not a viable career option.
It's so interesting though to see how other languages work. Learning a new language changes the way you think about things a little bit. You notice how other languages express certain ideas or weird things about English that you'd never noticed before. Back in high school, my English teacher (who was and is pretty much my hero) used to say that the quality of your speech determines the quality of your thought. This, I'm sure he'd be pleased to know, had my overachieving teenage self scrambling to improve my vocabulary. Who knew how many words I needed to learn before becoming brilliant? ;-) Now I prefer to communicate with smiley faces. But I think there is some truth to that statement, and it's interesting to think about in relation to language teaching.
Payap is just about on summer vacation. The main campus is pretty dead and the first and second year nursing students have gone home. The nursing students have a different schedule and only get a couple of weeks vacation. Once again I find myself without all that much to do. We were supposed to go on a villagestay/work camp to do a building project a la Habitat for Humanity this week, but it was with students from Japan and was cancelled due to the earthquake. so instead I am learning how to write in Thai. It's so nice of Payap to pay me to study Thai. (We have actually worked out a decent job description and list of responsibilities for future volunteers and if nothing else I am pleased to have been a part of that process.) I'm also somewhat hopeful regarding the remainder of my time here as I think I am at last making progress with programs in the nursing dorm, but check back with me after March 28th... It's been a struggle and I could regale you with the joys of working and communicating in a cross-cultural setting, but I think I'll save those stories until I come home.
I am about at the halfway point. Due to the new CV schedule, it looks as though I may finish my time here at the end of september, which will give me a month to travel or perhaps just come home early depending on my finances. I am trying to think ahead about what's next. Limited success in that arena. If anything, I'm even more confused about my future career path now than I was when I came here, and that is saying something. However, living in Thailand has taught me the art of taking things one day at a time. Or at least of living in a state of Resignation Peace. And praying. A lot.
And so I hang out and study Thai and try to capitalize on this opportunity as much as possible. I actually feel a bit guilty about continuing to study in Payap's intensive Thai program. It feels a bit unnecessary and rather unpractical. And yet the prospect of learning to write in another alphabet is too tempting to pass up. We have a new ajaan who's teaching style is a little less... aggressive but also not quite as practical. There is a lot of learning by rote, which means I tend to do my own thing a lot of the time. I sit in class, pouring over a chart of the Thai alphabet, trying to figure out the logic. I am such a nerd, but I love it. It's the same thrill that I got learning to decipher jazz chords while studying improv. somewhere in that collection of squiggles and shapes is a system that, once understood, can be used to create and communicate. All I have to do is crack the code. It's too bad "professional student" is not a viable career option.
It's so interesting though to see how other languages work. Learning a new language changes the way you think about things a little bit. You notice how other languages express certain ideas or weird things about English that you'd never noticed before. Back in high school, my English teacher (who was and is pretty much my hero) used to say that the quality of your speech determines the quality of your thought. This, I'm sure he'd be pleased to know, had my overachieving teenage self scrambling to improve my vocabulary. Who knew how many words I needed to learn before becoming brilliant? ;-) Now I prefer to communicate with smiley faces. But I think there is some truth to that statement, and it's interesting to think about in relation to language teaching.
March 14, 2011
Vive la musical revolution!
The chain of events leading up to this psa is as follows: I was watching V for Vendetta a while ago, and that inspired me to start reading The Count of Monte Cristo, which is referenced in that movie. Turns out that movie has, erm, "borrowed" quite a lot from that work. The Count of Monte Cristo is set in France during the time of Napoleon. And this of course made me think of Beethoven's 3rd symphony, the "Eroica," which was inspired by Napoleon.
Actually the truth is someone posted a link to the "Eroica" on facebook and I thought: gosh, I really should make that a music psa. And then I realized how well it fit in with my current reading material. But everyone should know about the "Eroica." It really was a "revolutionary" piece. (sorry, but I had to write that). In a way it marks the end of music for the aristocracy and the beginning of romanticism and individualism. And if I had my notes from Music History II, I could tell you exactly how it does all this. As is, I can only say that having Dr. strauch walk us through this piece in class pretty much changed the way I listen to classical music. And it also made me realize how much of a genius Beethoven really was. Trust me. It's not all hype.
so here is the first movement of this most important piece in Beethoven's career. I draw your attention to around 7:30, where the harmonies are so unbelievably modern that by 7:40/45 I think it sounds like stravinsky's Rite of spring. One of my favorite bits is at 8:45. I LOVE the kaleidescope effect! sooo brilliant! And I think the bassline is a bit tango-esque.
You should continue on to the second clip if only for the counterpoint at 3:20, and the finale is quite nice. Enjoy.
Actually the truth is someone posted a link to the "Eroica" on facebook and I thought: gosh, I really should make that a music psa. And then I realized how well it fit in with my current reading material. But everyone should know about the "Eroica." It really was a "revolutionary" piece. (sorry, but I had to write that). In a way it marks the end of music for the aristocracy and the beginning of romanticism and individualism. And if I had my notes from Music History II, I could tell you exactly how it does all this. As is, I can only say that having Dr. strauch walk us through this piece in class pretty much changed the way I listen to classical music. And it also made me realize how much of a genius Beethoven really was. Trust me. It's not all hype.
so here is the first movement of this most important piece in Beethoven's career. I draw your attention to around 7:30, where the harmonies are so unbelievably modern that by 7:40/45 I think it sounds like stravinsky's Rite of spring. One of my favorite bits is at 8:45. I LOVE the kaleidescope effect! sooo brilliant! And I think the bassline is a bit tango-esque.
You should continue on to the second clip if only for the counterpoint at 3:20, and the finale is quite nice. Enjoy.
March 12, 2011
Thai Food
I've never been to a Thai restaurant in the states, so I have no idea what they're like. The closest contact I had with Thai food before coming here was that instant pad thai you can get at the store. Yeah, it's not even close.
Actually, I'm not sure why Thai food is the cool thing lately. The truth is, I'm not all too keen on it. some of it is certainly... interesting. It's fun to eat for the novelty sometimes. But I can't think of anything I've grown particularly attached to. Not even rotee, and that's not even Thai. I don't know how northern Thai food compares with southern Thai, which is, I think the model for most Thai restaurants back home. And I haven't tried some key dishes. Tom yum goong for example, which is a famous spicy soup with shrimp. I always have to gear myself up for the really spicy stuff.
But here is a chronicle of some of my food experiences so far. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of some of the more odd food items but I'm working on it.
This is the restaurant where I eat most of my meals. It's right next door and has air con. Many places have small spirit shrines such as this one. These things are more related to animism than Buddhism.
You should be familiar with the "food groups." Most places offer these sauces. I'm not sure what they're called. The liquid in the one on the right is okay, but if you get even one chili seed your mouth will be on fire. The dark chili sauce in front is so intimidating I haven't tried it yet. I do occasionally add vinegar (on the right) or dry chilis (on the left). The sugar in the back is for if the dish is too hot. I've never tried it, preferring to suffer.
some other common options include soy sauce, chili sauce (this stuff is actually more mild), ketchup and fish sauce (haven't tried it yet because Anisha always makes a face when she sees it, but I really should).
My basic "comfort food," khao pad gai kaidao, or chicken and fried rice with a fried egg. They add fried eggs to everything and it is delicious. This dish is actually really bland so I experiment with sauces a lot.
Pad krapow mou, or pork with basil leaves. A little more spicy, but not bad. Not much nutritional value though, as it true of most stuff at restaurants...
Khao mun gai, or Chinese ginger chicken with rice. What I usually get on campus. The ginger sauce has a bit of a kick and for some reason they always serve it with chicken broth.
Kao soy, or curried noodles. This is traditional northern Thai fare and has a very distinct flavor. It is impossible to eat! I have yet to do so without showering myself in broth. You can't really see it, but it comes with a chicken drumstick (in the soup). The meat is so tender you can tear it off with the chopsticks. The noodles underneath are soft.
Pad Thai. Literal translation - fried Thai? I think it's short for "noodles fried Thai style." What most people think of when they think Thai food. If I'm honest, it's probably my favorite dish. But so bad for you.
Also really bad for you. This is rotee. I think it is Turkish in origin. It's like deep fried tortillas filled with banana and covered in chocolaty goodness. And condensed milk. And sugar.
Of course if that doesn't do it for you, you can always try some crickets or mackerel.
Or squid tentacles.
Or chicken heads.
That's all for this adventure into Thai culinary arts. More to come.
March 5, 2011
Music PSA
Once again, this week's psa is brought to you by smac. I seriously cannot stop listening to this song by Josh Garrels.
Mason Jar Music Presents... Josh Garrels from Mason Jar Music on Vimeo.
I think one of the things about popular music that bothers me the most is its lack of color. There's a technical term for it that I learned in Music Theory II and have now forgotten. Basically, the instrumentation is all pretty much the same (as are the chords, but that's another matter). What I love about this clip is the unique combination of sounds. It's one of the things I love the most about orchestral music. There's so much variety and depth to it. Listening to popular music doesn't train your ear to notice this stuff, which makes me sad, because it means a lot of really great music goes unappreciated and so many people are missing out on a lot of really great music.
so I love it when contemporary artists utilize orchestral musicians. It's a chance to hear something new. I mean, that's kind of an implied part of creativity. The other thing I love about the above performance is that Josh Garrels is a Christian artist. I am sorry, but so much of worship music and contemporary "Christianese" is trite and frankly just boring. I like Josh Garrels' music, but his harmonies are pretty simple, which is why this is so well-done. The added color is exactly what is needed. Now I wish I could work for Mason Jar Music.
Here's another example of a contemporary band (Radiohead) using orchestral sounds. This technique can become really cheesy, violins have that tendency, but I think this is done really tastefully.
Okay, one more and then I'm done. I just can't help it! There's so much awesome music out there that isn't being listened to! so the other great thing about that Josh Garrels' piece is the way it builds. There's a definite shape to it, which I love. so here's another piece it made me think of which also utilizes orchestra and builds really well. And it's about trains, which I like. Thanks for inspiring me, smac.
Mason Jar Music Presents... Josh Garrels from Mason Jar Music on Vimeo.
I think one of the things about popular music that bothers me the most is its lack of color. There's a technical term for it that I learned in Music Theory II and have now forgotten. Basically, the instrumentation is all pretty much the same (as are the chords, but that's another matter). What I love about this clip is the unique combination of sounds. It's one of the things I love the most about orchestral music. There's so much variety and depth to it. Listening to popular music doesn't train your ear to notice this stuff, which makes me sad, because it means a lot of really great music goes unappreciated and so many people are missing out on a lot of really great music.
so I love it when contemporary artists utilize orchestral musicians. It's a chance to hear something new. I mean, that's kind of an implied part of creativity. The other thing I love about the above performance is that Josh Garrels is a Christian artist. I am sorry, but so much of worship music and contemporary "Christianese" is trite and frankly just boring. I like Josh Garrels' music, but his harmonies are pretty simple, which is why this is so well-done. The added color is exactly what is needed. Now I wish I could work for Mason Jar Music.
Here's another example of a contemporary band (Radiohead) using orchestral sounds. This technique can become really cheesy, violins have that tendency, but I think this is done really tastefully.
Okay, one more and then I'm done. I just can't help it! There's so much awesome music out there that isn't being listened to! so the other great thing about that Josh Garrels' piece is the way it builds. There's a definite shape to it, which I love. so here's another piece it made me think of which also utilizes orchestra and builds really well. And it's about trains, which I like. Thanks for inspiring me, smac.
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