Thursday, October 20, 2005
CULTURAL CHOICE CHALLENGED
James Lileks deals with the UN’s crazed bid to “protect” cultures from other cultures (a bid the US opposes):
More posturing from an international body that convenes to strike pleasing poses, nothing more. But some will see the U.S. position as more American mulishness. The New York Times put it thus: “As with the Kyoto Protocol climate treaty and the treaty creating the International Criminal Court, (the U.S.) will likely remain a critical—and perhaps obstructionist—outsider.”
Imagine that! The killjoy nation. Monarchy, Communism, Fascism, Socialism, now Tribalism—the U.S. never quite joins in the fun. Everyone else jumps off the bridge, and we hang back, taking notes. Like we’re special or something.
Many Australians share the UN’s culture-protecting concerns, although—like Toni Collette—they don’t mind earning American money. Meanwhile, cultural globalisation continues. Of course, some regional alterations may be required, as in the case of Omar Shamshoon—Arab TV’s version of Homer Simpson:
Homer’s favorite, Duff beer, will now be soda. Donuts have become Arab pastries. And images of Homer eating pork rinds have been deleted.
Al Jean, executive producer of “The Simpsons,” says those changes mean they are not the Simpsons anymore.
“If he doesn’t drink and eat bacon and generally act like a pig, which I guess is also against Islam, then it’s not Homer,” Jean said, laughing.
Barney Gumble will present a challenge, what with his fondness for “soda” and all. And how might the lure of Moe’s bar be explained?