Viewpoint 2 - Clash of Civilisations

Hi all,

I was at a competition organised by the JC on the other side of our campus. In the final round(which I didn't get into), finalists were expected to present on certain issues regarding world poverty and hunger in Africa. A particular rival boys school's student impressed some with the way he inserted humour into his speech. Many teachers there were both shocked and amused. It was so politically incorrect, and he managed to make the serious situations into light-hearted jokes.

But then - there were many other participants, and indeed quite a number of the judges, who were looking sort of shocked at this particular boy's descriptions of such internationally sensitive conflicts. This was millions of people who were suffering, who were being tortured, who were dying, how could you ignore the severity of the situation?

This is my topic for discussion today - What are the influences of Western cultures and Eastern cultures in our education today? Let us take a look at this particular finalist. Coming from a greatly Westernised school, it could be said that his education had been along the path of the Western world. Politically incorrect jokes must surely be a feature of the culture. After a horrible day at work, a crowded subway, and enough glimpses of people who are just too serious, surely there must be a light-hearted side to the cruel world. Undoubtedly, politically incorrect jokes satirises the current system. Here, the student must have thought that this would work.

However, there were many schools who were under the influence of the East. People from the East are generally more relaxed. Having been slightly slower in their development, you still see a slight level of ignorance, albeit a peaceful one, of the troubles of the modernised world. Horrors on the other side of the world are merely a far-off nightmare. Thus, these people will attempt to offer aid, to stop this nightmare, thus developing a more emotional side, instead of the cool calmness needed to stop the horror. But when on comes along and coldly and humourously desensitises this situation - It implies a icyness in that particular person, something people in the East hate. Thus, when the student came along with his jokes, the more pro-Eastern were, as expected, greatly shocked.

Ultimately, there is no better culture. There is only the equal clash between them. Thus, it might be better to merge the two cultures, to please both of them.

Cheers,

Darrel