A quote found in the first movie of the Matrix trilogy, taken from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, is a theme upon which the global community should ponder, “Know Thyself.” Often used as a means by which one may avoid becoming proud, today it applies to understanding we will never lose our individual uniqueness no matter how globalized our world becomes. The European Union presents an excellent example. After countless centuries of death and destruction brought about through fear, prejudice and pride these countries have united out of the necessity to become a stronger economic competitor. Difficulties aside, they are finding a way to financially enable this mandate. Culturally, none of these countries have lost the unique attributes that set them apart.
On iTunes I recently found an Australian DJ speaking Italian playing AC/DC music. I assume he was broadcasting from Italy. His work did not make Italy any less Italian, nor did it make AC/DC less an Australian band. It makes Italy a more exciting and interesting place to live without decreasing Italy’s uniqueness. Italian villages, food, cars and clothes remain as fabulous as ever.
The love and dedication to family and friends from the Middle East, the amazing art and discipline of Asian martial arts and South American spontaneous love of life and liberty will not diminish because of globalization. American ingenuity and love of risk taking remain a global inspiration for entrepreneurship. The world will become a richer place as countries are exposed to each other’s values.
Similar to Machiavelli’s Art of War or Plato’s Republic, these recordings are a philosophical dialogue between myself and my daughter. Discourse and creative thinking have been tools of liberty and prosperity throughout history. Sadly they are now severely limited by today’s radio talk show hosts, cable TV news, politicians and religious leaders defining the current “conservative” climate.
I do not consider myself to be either conservative or liberal. My past non-profit work exposed my family to enough cultural and philosophical diversity to understand these terms are not absolute and are subject to “change without notice”. A major concern, and underlying theme in most of these videos, challenges the current conservative climate world wide, but more specifically in the United States. During today’s powerful push toward globalization, countries and those individuals who make up these countries are alarmed at the prospect of losing precious traditions that make them unique to the world community. Fear, no matter how warranted, seldom leads to rational decisions.
Current conservative views found in the United States and the Middle East present the world with an enormous challenge. Some religious leaders, politicians and media tycoons seeking power, profit and popular support work hard to maintain an atmosphere of fear by defining and re-defining “conservative” views. Discourse and creative thinking combined with “knowing thyself” are currently the only rational approaches. We offer these videos as a starting point.