Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id XAA09248 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Thu, 21 Jun 2001 23:12:53 +0100 X-Originating-IP: [209.240.220.175] From: "Scott Chase" <ecphoric@hotmail.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: RE: World Language Losses at a Glance Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 18:09:11 -0400 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: <F160OlAQ7Zg6CTEF8ta0001f099@hotmail.com> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 21 Jun 2001 22:09:11.0325 (UTC) FILETIME=[CCBF74D0:01C0FA9E] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>From: "Wade T.Smith" <wade_smith@harvard.edu>
>Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>To: "memetics list" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
>Subject: RE: World Language Losses at a Glance
>Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 12:25:17 -0400
>
>On 06/20/01 09:36, Vincent Campbell said this-
>
> >I'm not sure whether cultural diversity deserves the
> >same kind of concern.
>
>_If_ one accepts the notion that culture is an artifact of
>genetic/environmental adaptation (and nothing or little else), then the
>fact that cultural diversity closely tracks (and could be described as
>being dependent upon) biological diversity is a straightforward and
>logical path, and, yes, would delegate cultural concerns to a back
>burner, at best, assuming one's stove had enough burners in the first
>place....
>
>Depends how many people you're cooking for....
>
>
Speaking of food, what would the world be like without the diverse array of
cuisine to choose from may I ask? I'd hate to see it become a burger, fries,
and shake bottleneck. I could go for some kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage).
The diverse cuisine I *would* oppose would be that involving the consumption
of products derived from endangered or threatened species.
As for languages I vaguely recall seeing something about the Bushmen and
their clicking language. Maybe it had something to do with the need of
developing an alphabet? Wasn't it Sequoya who did this for some Native
Americans?
There's a scylla of overly cohesive heritage pride and charybdis of losing
diversity and traditions of the past.
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