Borg Thread

[mongrel]

No, not a Star Trek thread, but a debate about cultural identity prompted by this quote.

Assimilate or piss off, that's what I've said before and this only scarily feeds what I hoped was some fear that would never be realized in full.

When you please everyone, you please no one. When you protect everyone, you protect no one.

But this is what happens when you introduce spacey concepts like equality and the rule of law to people who have not yet developed sensitivities to
these advanced faculties.

I picked this one because it is one of the articulate posts of its kind to be found in the Mudpit. But comments like these are two a penny.



I like my individuality. and, I would struggle to find common ground on with atheists, communists, New Labour supporters, radical conservatives, neo-liberals, radical feminists or anyone with far-right views.

It is most fortunate that I have not adopted the predominate local culture, having seen the thrashing meted out to Arsenal last night.

I cannot "assimilate" into what passes for mainstream culture nowadays. If native-born people do not share a common culture how can one expect immigrants to "assimilate". I'm with the crew of the Enterprise on this one.



I think the world would be better off if people are allowed to be free thinking individuals rather than being told what to think or do by the state and pressure groups, as long as they do no harm to others.


Matisyahu...unlikely to compromise on his cultural identity.

[Sidmen]

I think the world would be better off if people are allowed to be free thinking individuals rather than being told what to think or do by the state and pressure groups, as long as they do no harm to others.

Mostly that is true, but when it comes down to it 'different' breeds unrest. For instance, Group A believes that there is no god Group B believes there is one, and that he laid down a specific set of rules. When Group A tries to do something against those rules group B steps in and (being the dominant group) stops them from doing it, after all God told them it was wrong.

[Burnum]

I think Assimilation is not only wrong, it's evil. Having not only seen, but felt the effects of an attempted genocide by use of forced Assimilation (i.e Stolen generation) I can say that no good come from assimilation.

[Sidmen]

Forced Assimilation isn't really Assimilation.

And the negatives of refusing to assimilate are far greater than assimilating peacefully. (look at groups that refuse, and groups that did (IE Native Americans and mexicans and Irish or germans)

[Medicus]

Forced Assimilation isn't really Assimilation.

The end result is the same.

[Sleeper]

Assimilate is not the same as forego individuality. Assimilate means conform to broad cultural rules, like common law and tradition, usually defining appearance and social behaviors. It does not mean stop being who you are; it means control your individuality in favor of joining society.

[Sleeper]

He's right on that. Most assimilation is in some way forced.

[boofhead]

We combat...or we involve each other (assimilate like Borg)

[Burnum]

vbmenu_register("postmenu_2608449", true); Forced Assimilation isn't really Assimilation.

Yes, it is.

I've yet too see any evidence that assimilation is any better than multiculturalism.

groups that did (IE Native Americans and mexicans and Irish or germans)

Then, you get my people. who've got a life expectancy smaller than most African nations.

[eventhorizen]

If society was founded upon the principle of RESPECT there would not be these problems.

[Sleeper]

Respect is personal. Society is not.

[Hansa]

I am fine with multiculturalism to some extent.

However, if one moves to a different society one should learn the dominant language of that society(i). One should also respect the laws of the society, and adapt to the point were one can live in that society in accordance with its laws. Everyone should assimilate to this extent. I also believe that helping new groups integrate into society should partly be the responsibility of the society one moves to. A state that takes in immigrants should try to help them adapt. A society that accepts people from different cultures should also to some extent be open and welcoming to peoples of different cultures. Regarding dress, beliefs, cultural preferences and what not, people should be free to choose. But, if one is unwilling to uphold the laws of the society one moves to, or openly hostile to the majority culture, one should never have immigrated there.


(i)Alternatively one of the dominant languages in a multilingual society.

And BTW, In my language Borg means castle or fortress, slightly misleading thread title.