Culture Clash, Part Dos

Still reeling from my international encounter.

I'm thinking about an archeology class I took in college. I don't remember much -- the professor was one of those nerdy types who could make anything boring. Too bad for me.

If I remember correctly, there have been culture clashes for thousands of years. One culture will rise up only to be buried under another. All that's left are pot shards and baskets, maybe a few skeletons.

This has been repeated for generations. Cultures come, another one decides it is "better" and then war and demise.

And I think about how I fit into this picture. How we all do, in some way.

Are we just a culture that has dominion for a time and soon we, too, will be buried along with our cultural icons. What exactly will they find? Cell phone plates. ATM cards. DVDs.

Pictures of our celebrities. Will they scratch their heads and wonder how we gave so much reverence to those that graced the Kodak Theater. Maybe a future generation will read or more likely hear something like....

I wonder what some future society will discover when they "unearth" the memories of the Oscar's? Maybe something like this...???

AP NEWS REPORTS... Archeologists today reported discoveries in what use to be known as "Hollywood", which has been under water for the last 600 years. The remains of this ancient city were discovered when scientists were drilling for metroil off the coast of what use to be called the state of California. "We're very excited about the potential of such a discovery", says Ronald Elwood, Professor of Historic Cities at Citadel University. "This may unlock the mysteries of many of the ancient cities of the late 21st century." Scientists are still identifying many of the artificats that littered the prestigious temple that was once called the "Kodak Theater". Scientists have believed for many years that complex worship services were conducted here yearly when many of the Gods and Goddesses of the Theater would enter the court wearing their finest robes and jewels. Peasants lined up to take what is sometimes referred to as "photographs" of these royals to be seen across many parts of the then known world. "These were some of the most beautiful people of our time, sometimes undergoing hours and hours of bodily surgery to get their forms thin. This was of course before we fully understood the dangers of this primitive art form, " says Dr. Elwood. "We know that this society was very religious about these dieties, but we're not really sure why." he continued. "We are searching for reasons that would help us understand their adulation towards these beings." Included in the discovery were communication devices, what scientists think are primitive forms of the tele-laser, which allowed members of this society to communicate through speaking into the small device. Mind reading and telepathy had not yet become the force that it is today in these societies. "These were state of the art at the time" Dr. Elwood reports, "even though they were by our standards quite difficult to use." Scientists hope that this bounty of information wil help them better understand the end of what was once considered the world's greatest society.

It is only a matter of time before we, too, are just a footnote in the history books.

So, why, I wonder do we -- do I -- seem to believe that wherever and whatever I believe or hold true is so important. And are those beliefs really worth fighting for in light of what is almost sure knowledge that what is "true" today will only be remembered on a timeline of facts for bored history students?

It appears to me that there is a certain humility that must come from what I hold to be "truth". That a certain sense of tentativeness could be called for. That before I "bury" another with my own version of culture domination that I stop and think...

"what will be left from my culture that really matters?"