Wow. Yesterday I met some friends and we were talking about people's fascinations with cultures (in a popular meaning), nations, ethnic groups and so on. And one of them said that she knew one Norwegian that was fascinated by Polish culture. He loved that country and wanted to get know more and more about it and of course go there! There was nothing strange there but what stunned me was that he was blind. Wow - I thought. Allways when people speak about their fascinations with "the Other" the aesthetic qualities are mentioned - somebody likes how Peru national dress looks like, some love japanese architecture, some is delighted with desert landscapes or the drama of fjords. I do not mean that the visual impression is the only one that makes people interested in another culture. No, they are speaking about history, customs, traditions and so on. But, wow again, I've never thought how it is to think about unknown places and peoples that we have no idea how they look like. I mean that the visual shapes so much our (or I should say - MINE) ideas and fascinations... It is unbelievable! I admitt that this reflections can come from my ignoration, and I am ashamed about it. I've just never thought before about what fascination with another country for instance comes from! Wow! Has anyone of you read something of this subject? I don't mean a literature about the cognitive systems and so one. But something more like some reflections about this kind of disability and getting fascinated with other cultures and environments and so on. I know it's out of the blue and quite silly but maybe... :) I don't know, right know I am fed up with my English that sucks and doesn't let me express what I mean. Grrrrrrr. I wonder also if lack of language skills hasn't made this post to some monologue of an ignorant and immature blockhead! To say nothing of possible political incorrect expressions...
Well, nevermind, soon something about how my Nica project is going on - and it is gooooing on:)
Labels: cognition, culture, handicap
