Xenophobia 2

Subject: Xenophobia 2
From: The Shambles
Date: 08 Jun 00 - 03:13 PM

This is for new contributions to Xenophobia as the old one (which is well worth a good read), is a bit big to add to.

Subject: RE: Xenophobia 2
From: Fiddlin' Big Al
Date: 09 Jun 00 - 03:01 AM

Xeno, the cynic? Whose afraid of him. He's been dead for centuries. I studied him in Philosophy of which I got a BA, or was that a BS. Anyway, philosophy gave way to art which gave way to hunger which gave way to automechanics, nobody trusts them, and now I'm a fiddler, prehaps the direct result of Xenophobia. I haven't thought of that guy in years. This may be a lousy first shot on a thread, but sequels like JAWS 2 etc. are frequently duds. Is this maybe rather Xenophobia Squared in a mathematical sense. Do we fear Xenophobia in others and not recognize it in ourselves, or perhaps we can turn it inside out from fear of the different to fear of being the different. Love your neighbor no matter what planet you think s/he/it's from, and love yourself for your differences. What's to learn from people who look-think-feel-act-live just like us. Xenophobia=Ignorance. It's free, but can we afford it? bigalfiddler.

Subject: RE: Xenophobia 2
From: The Shambles
Date: 09 Jun 00 - 03:54 PM

Not a lousy first shot at all, far from it. Sorry to leave you so exposed. It was a hard act to follow but there are so many good contributors here now that did not have the opportunity to contribute to the first one.

This quote from a post from Frank in the swamps, always stuck in my mind.

"As far as our instincts go, we are really not that different from any other animal, we'll kill for food (or resources) or to defend ourselves. All social animals have inate means of diffusing agonistic behaviour, dogs roll on their backs, exposing their bellies, we open our arms and smile. Difficulty with humans is our intellect, we have cunning and can trick one another, hence, we have difficulty trusting our instincts or our judgement. With the awesome power our species has, we are in a position of not being able to negotiate peace & cooperation unless we are in a position to enforce any contract we agree to".

Subject: RE: Xenophobia 2
From: GUEST,Bardan
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 01:38 AM

There was an article in the new scientist recently about the subject. I can't remember exactly what it said, but I think the gist was that we all have a sort of tribal instinct that helps us survive. It cements relationships and when we meet new groups of people, it points us to the ones we have more in common with culturally. These can be good things. Unfortunately theres the flip side which is xenophobia. Racism is a bit of an unnatural thing cos normally, naturally we'd never have met people with different coloured skin etc. I spose it's just another thing to differentiate people with and one with obvious cues as well. No discrete questions required. I dissagree with people who say things like "I don't notice people's skin". Whenever you meet someone you analyze them and skin colour is something people are very aware of even if it is subconsciously. Noticing doesn't make you a racist any more than noticing someone pretty makes you a sexist. The problem comes if you can't go beyond that first impression of "black" or "funny accent" or whatever and start thinking of them as an individual. Once someone is a separate person with their own identity in your head its much harder to generalise. Anyway there's my thoughts on the subject.

I leave you with a quote "there are two things I hate in this world. People that are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch. "

Subject: RE: Xenophobia 2
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Mar 07 - 02:15 AM

Hmmmmm........Is that kinda' like this quote? An old Georgia farmer was asked what he disliked and asnswered:

"I only hate three things in this world. Kudzu.......City Folks......and Kudzu."

Works for me.

Spaw