Alanabit & MichaelR ,

I found both of our posts to be well written and thought provoking.

I was particularly intrigued by the Alan's sentences:
"..we are talking about a simple, unadorned medium - simply passing on songs to each other face to face, to get a glimpse of other parts of our world. This is seen as unhip, archaic and very often as ridiculous in our hi tech age."

end quote

Alan, I wonder in order to retain the essence of what you are saying, must the songs be only passed out "face to face"?

Also Michael you wrote:

"Modern, instant communication technologies and the mass media will continue to homogenize local traditions. Exciting fusions may lead to general uniformity -- who knows?"

end of quote..

Alan also referred to our "hi tech" age.. This is the same hi tech, instant communication technologies that we are using right now to communicate online, and share traditions, and learn from one another.
So it can't be all bad, right?

I think it is important to preserve information about the past, and increase understanding about those traditions. However, I believe that the contemporary practice of some of those traditions may need to be modified for a host of reasons, none the least might be the increased understanding about the importance of treating others with dignity and respect..

As a result of cyperspace connections, and other advances, I look forward to increased awareness & understanding about the past, AND exciting cultural fusions.

I certainly hope that we will not have a bland, one size, one color fits all homogenized culture. How boring that would be, and how dangerous for those who {as my nephew said about someone I know} not only walk to a different drummer, but walk to a different band.

..except sometimes I strut instead of walk.

Azizi