masoudA

US Liberty vs Culture

M: one other matter. You mentioned "liberties". If you look at CMs, you will know that left wing principles, are more prevalent in CMs than in Presidential systems such as in US. Moreover we in UK, prefer to keep politicians in the House of Commons, split into two camps, at sword's length from each other. We do not think that being vile in manner and coarse in demeanour, as some Americans are, makes you more free. Yes you do say more things but it is your style. We say more, but in style.

What the US did to Iran, was more a reflection of the immature upstart nation; made of people have no resepect for history or tradition, than anything else. I know US very well. I went to Princeton. Even there, the students would think that culture and traditions are stumbling blocks to progress. They would change the English if it meant more profit.

Looking forward with no respect for the past is what got us all in this mess. All those who went to US and forgot Iran are irresponsible greedy self centered people. Not one of those who made it in the "Land of Freedom", bothers to create a cultural opposition front in US. They would organise a kabab party with a rock band and make money. And that's it.

To summarize my old friend, and I say it to you, because you are polite and not take it the wrong way. It's all about money on your side of the pond. Well we on this side aren't too bothered about the money and profit. Not everything comes down to digits and size and how much.

@alimostofi
FB: astrologer.alimostofi

masoudA, when one is compelled ...

... to characterize a culture and its influence, as you have, it is most likely motivated by the need to debunk a prevailing view to the contrary. 

This point alone is an argument for the unqualified impact of English culture, on that of the world's, irrespective of the subjectivity of the person doing the evaluation.

Finally, while I am not fond of many aspects of English culture, I cannot deny its phenomenal influence for the many varied and, at times, dark; but then I challenge you to name me one culture which does not have a dark side to it; and I will show you that you have not looked thoroughly.

Alborz

M: common heritage

The roots of both countries' moral principles are derived from ancient chronicles that are part and parcel of our Indo-European heritage.

@alimostofi
FB: astrologer.alimostofi

Ali Jaan

Basis of my morality comes from the same place yours comes from - I know that based on our past cyber conversations.........Zartosht Teachings.    and Zartosht teachings is far far away from those I target.   Best wishes...cheers....and please don't think living in England allows you to have the liberties I think I have!! to criticize the Royal Queens and the Kings of northern Europe.   As a monarchist, I am not out to topple any kings or queens.....I just want sanity and my country back.

Anglophile

The French have contributed more to world culture.

Ketchup

Massouda: presumably you are using some universally accepted moral standard. May I ask what that is. I think I am saying tomayto and you are saying tomahto. If we are not too careful we may end up Ketchup on our faces. Lol.

@alimostofi
FB: astrologer.alimostofi

The Language!!

Good to hear from you Mostofi jaan

With all due respect to all of you - Language is not enough...especialy one which is Latin based taken from elsewhere.   Also - I can write pages about British contributions to science and technology....but that is not my angle here - this is about cultural values and influences on the rest of the world.   I can get into it a bit more - but to give you a better indication of cultural values.....the Brits still have the House of Lords and a House for the Commoners....need I say more?  

Allow me to enlighten you a little

And "enlighten" is the word I borrowed from you Masoud. So excuse me if I sound condescending.

The entire theme of the London Olympics was "Inspiring a Generation". Not your generation or my generation but the new generation of the world's youth and children. Danny Boyle, the Oscar winning, left leaning director who was comissioned to create and deliver the opening ceremonies had a world of options to choose from but he had very limited time to present a meaningful and yet entertaining show that while put the spotlight on the youth culture, showed some of the significant aspects (from his point of view) of the British cultural and industrial contributions to the modern world. I am not suggesting that his work was fully inclusive but within the framework of his political ideology, it was an absolutely brilliant show.

Starting with an idyllic view of life in 18th century rural Britain which was invaded by an explosion of Industrial Revolution which started in Britain and spread to Europe and later to America, followed by such original developments as the suffragettes movement (another British first), admission of the west Indian settlers (Empire Windrush) right through to the introduction of the first national health service and again the emphasis being on children, the world's most pioneering children's hospital at Great Ormond Street. The theme continued with the world's most published children's stories author, JK Rowling and her Harry Potter series, and went on to present a whirlwind of the British contributions to the youth culture and music (all British songs, singers and even the world's first and, to date, the most popular car for the young - the Mini). Not to forget the inventor of what you and I are using at this very moement: WWW (Sir Tim Berners-Lee).

So if you see the opening as well the closing ceremonies from a socialist minded, modernistic, youth-orientated view it should make sense.

But as our good friend Mr Alboz pointed out there is no such thing as good or positive culture and bad or negative culture. Haaji Firooz is a symbol of new season, new life and jollity in our cuture but he was arrested a few years ago in London as he was hired to attract and entertain the customers to a Persian grocery on the new year's eve for causing public disorder and affront to the black community! So there you are.

As for the British contributions to the world's culture, and my word there is  a multitude, I suffice it to remind you of the very language in which you and I are communicating and at the pinnacle of that language one name is enough to mention: William Shakespear.

I rest my case my friend. 

A brief on British Culture

We are all good friends and let us not get into an argument over this. I thought I would look at wiki and it was quite good on British culture.

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_the_United...

I have been here for 45 years. I live in Reading. We have 120 different ethnic groups in this tiny town. Everyone like their own and steak and kidney pie.

The Olympic opening ceremony was a quick history of Britain. Yes we are proud of our National Health and our Emergency services. Do really need to compare it to US. How much money gets wasted in UK for social programs and how efficient are the public services. Quite good. The old and the poor are taken care of.

Please note that commercialism pays the bills. And yes we were annoyed to see Coca Cola everywhere. But that's what its all about.

The main contribution of British culture apart from the invention of internet and industrial revolution is the English language itself. Fleet Street and the City of London rule the media and financial markets.

But sadly I missed the Rolling Stones at London 2012.

@alimostofi
FB: astrologer.alimostofi

Just pointed out...

Thanks guys for your responses.....

Alborz jaan I am fully in with the spirit of the games and the work ahead....hence my concern about protecting the Olympics from commercialization which suffered a lot in London.   Via their technological advancements and colonialist approach the Brits did in fact impact and formulate some of the global culture in the 18th and 19th centuries - part of it even for the better.   However, as Amir also pointed out - there was not much cultural contributions of their own.    The more I think the less I can find anything I can reffer to as British cultural contributions to the world.   I mean, I can look just to the west of England, and write pages about the Irish culture, their music, the food, the dance, other arts.......

masoudA

British do not have any real culture, no matter what anglophile thinks.

In fact, very correctly, they were barberians until Romans decided to invade england and teach them civilization. Most of their proper activities started after the Romans took care of them. Their lives was so basic even themselves are ashemed of it.

London is a roman word. What can I say more?

masoudA, the burden is upon you

... to show that anything in the ceremonies was not quintessentially English.

Anyone with a cursory knowledge of the 20th and 21st century cultural icons, would be reminded by how much the English have shaped cultural tastes and preferences - an achievement unparalleled by any other people in these periods.  Confident in this regard, they gave center stage to their large immigrant community from India - something the Chinese, German, or French would not be expected to do for their Tibetan, Turk, and Algerian immigrant minorities, respectively.

Watch the ceremonies with someone in their 70s, 60s, 50s, 40s, 30s, 20s, teens from anywhere in the world, and even Daie Jaan Napelon, and you will be enlightened in this regard.

Finally, I don't believe that one should or can label any culture as positive or negative.  Every culture, in the eyes of the beholder, has elements of both, and to even expect otherwise is more revealing about the person with such an expectation than anything else.

I hope that you don't shy away from the work ahead of you, which is less about the olympic ceremonies and more about your outlook on the diverse cultures of the world.

Alborz

Dear A-Phile

so your problem with my blog is spelling and the origin of rock music in England?   I was hoping you'd shed some light on the Brit cultural values that I may be missing!  Please take your time and enlighten....I truely hope you do respond with some positive aspects of the Brit culture.......just what are they?  

You missed the plot mate!

Or is it that you are not "quiet" (your spelling) well versed on the musical genres and their origins - unless you regard "tubular bells" as an American invention!

Masoud jaan  take those Anglophobe glasses off and see things less biased.