random rant on the transformation of contemporary indian culture

[thewildwest]

i wrote this all down really fast, so forgive any spelling or logical inconsistencies. just getting this out of my system.

things which i find maddening about the english language indian media1. the consistent reference by numerous editorialists and journalists to thomas freidman. as if he was some sort of great intellectual authority or

Comments

[laozi]

You would not believe the prices I've seen Wrangler jeans fetch in both Korea and Japan. Well, actually I guess you would, since you just mentioned it here. :p Every time I'm in a department store I do a double-take. Back home, the only people I ever see in those are my cowboy/farmer relatives on my mom's side of the family in Keota, Oklahoma.

we are adopting their customs, but are they adopting ours? no! and don’t quote yoga or ravi shankar to me, that is a very superficial and different type of adoption.

Mightn't it also be argued that India is only adopting the most superficial aspects of Western culture, and that the common element on both sides of the exchange is the stripping of all essence from these cultural goods by the marketplace? That, in other words, neither side is benefiting from this exchange, except for the people in both countries who are getting rich off of it?

[thewildwest]

well my criticism was that it wasn't a superficial exchange. and it isn't so much that someone somewhere is profitting at the expense of millions [that is a dif issue]. i feel like people in the US, or the west in general, take what pleases them from india. some people like 'world music' others are into 'yoga.' but its an optional lifestyle choice for a few. india is not radically transforming the us. by contrast, the us has basically imposed--through various softpower methods--its cultural ideals on india in order to sell its products better and extend its political influence.

i feel like there is a certain voluntariness missing in this exchange.

[thewildwest]

oh yeah, and i heard japan is crazy about levis and lee jeans...branding is so interesting...

[delahk]

i'm just happy that cargo pants are in style SOMEWHERE. i loved those things.

seriously, though, interesting stuff.

[thewildwest]

haha, yeah, they were pretty useful weren't they? all those pockets!