Loca Lingo Multicultural

It has been a long time since I wanted to write about this movie. Not as serious as the ones I am used to, but witty & clever.

From now on, I want to add a dedicated category about the “future” (”futurism”), already started with previous articles about the Raymond Kurzweil’s theory, or Jacque Fresco’s vision. There are many different theories, visions out there, many schools of thought, many artists, many dreamers. The aim is not to give a political vision in 100, 200 or 500 years time - for this, just turn to history ; there has always been a country powerful enough to impose his cultural hegemony, usually followed by a collapse, and another country more powerful to take over the lead. A big CLASSIC.

The aim is to have an idea about how different living will be from today, how differently we will interact - how cross-cultural we will become (what if we discover life on Mars ?). This section, as you understood won’t be about selling Ipods (Apple is a big marketing scam anyway) or computers like many fellow bloggers do, but to have hints about tomorrows on a much more strategic approach.

The hypothese of “idiocracy” is the following :
“Evolution is not rewarding the most intelligent, but the ones who reproduce the most”.
University educated couples won’t be procreating anymore, education level will disappear, scientists will be so busy working on technologies that directly pay off (plasma TV, hair growing cream,…), and not on fundamental sciences, … in 500 years, the world will be just “dumb” and chaotic (Mad Max influence). In 500 years, being a world wide wrestling champion will be a necessary step to become resident at the white house (this could actually sound credible in a lesser time than 500 years)… but well enjoy the whole movie, it is a good one.

Sometimes informal discussions at a bar on a Saturday night can be very intellectually uplifting. It does not happen that often, and might not in the future, if “Binge-drinking” (drinking lots of alcohol in a very short time) becomes a cultural habit in our societies… no more bar’s discussion, but bar’s puking “mate” atmosphere (happy to not be 20 years-old anymore).

A scientific (apparently a serious one, not linked to any weird cults or so - if not, please let me know), Raymond Kurzweil, has designed that around 2045, the human being could potentially become immortal ; in other words the aging process would be reversed, defeated by medicine progress to lengthen human life cycle. A transgression / transition that would arrive near : “singularity” as he calls it.

It would mean that instead of living maximum 115 years, being 10 000 years-old could be possible, just because medicine allows you that. At first, the idea scared me (life is already so boring,…), but then, I got pretty much excited…

Hereunder is the typical standardized middle-class lifetime in a West-European country

- 0 = Hello World
- 0-6 = Mummy, daddy
- 6-11 = 1st grade school
- 11-18 = teenager, 2nd grade school
- 18-23 = University, college, gap year, girl/boyfriend
- 23-24 = unemployment, first job hunting, girl/boyfriend
- 24-45 = work in a multinational company, family, kids
- 45-65 = work as independent worker (too expensive to the mnc) if lucky, education of the kids
- 66-85 = retirement, kids work and (hopefully) take care of you
- 85 = bye bye world, Kids will mourn you, educate your grandchildren…

Now, this is how it would go, if indeed we live 10 000 years ;

- 0 = Hello World
- 0-6 = Mummy, daddy
- 6-11 = 1st grade school
- 11-18 = teenager, 2nd grade school
- 18-45 = University, college, gap year, girl/boyfriend, 1st family
- 45-9950 = work (as an independent worker, in a multinational company,… every potential jobs), 200 families with 200 different wives and an average of 2 kids/families (exponential result - 400 direct kids who will found families on their side as well - at different period of time of course. A clan that could be counting as much as 80 000 head after 10 000 years) - impossibility to keep track with all the children, grandchildren, Grand grand grand and so on children - everyone is cousin with everyone, with a possibility to have a drink with ancestors part of your own family tree.
Real Estate price skyrocket ; 500 year’s mortgage payback is getting common.
Ocean, sees, and then (when technology will be mastered), space will get colonized (since time is not an issue anymore - a 10 year’s journey, that will be fine)… very needed, because world’s population would be doubling every 20 years. There is no more untouched natural areas on earth. Criminals having been sentenced to jail for a period of 345 years, can walk out free.
Suicide (or “accompanied death”) would become a common feature, people will have the right to chose when to die (if they want to)…
The amount of knowledge will be reaching such a level, that progress will go beyond today’s imagination. Religions will become obsolete - life after death being an “has-been” concept - Philosophies of Life will become the new trend. Quest of Happiness and Progress being the only reason to live…
9950 - … = until an accident occurs (space-car crash vs a meteoroid being common)

Apollo 11, that’s when I love the USA (despite the political symbol in a cold war context ; the USA had to fight back after Laika and Gargarine ’s trip in the space).
But Kennedy here presented such achievement as a symbol of individuality : sending someone on the moon, and getting him back. Safe. Each of us care. You are unique. You are the center of my attention. I care.

How crazy should have been Armstrong 50 years ago…
- “We would like to send a human being on the moon (and (maybe) getting him back of course) for the first time. Interested ?”
- “Stepping on the moon ? IMPOSSIBLE, no-one has ever managed to do that…” would be the most common answer I believe.
Just imagine someone requesting this from you.
- “I’ll do it for the mankind”

Why is it so difficult to spend time in the progress of humanity in our period of time ? Why don’t we have more Apollo 11 on the news ? Well, we do of course, but does not make you dream as much - it becomes even “has been”. What are the next limits to be pushed ?

If we have enough time to make wars, it is because we don’t have enough challenging goals.

Apollo 11 - The Moon Shot - Click here for funny video clips

Armstrong, the Bougainville of our last century… to continue…

Disturbing piece of art from an artist (Mladen Stilinović) born in Belgrade & living in Croatia. What if we swapped the word “artist” by “businessman” ? The message is much deeper though, and makes us questioning about the real definition of “artist”…

just about feelings around the world - I really enjoyed going through this flash presentation even if it is part of a branding action (for the BBC) snapshots of the world - if I had the budget… this makes you dream

BBC, British Broadcast Corporation, where journalists are more independent than maybe the rest of the crowd (proper network of correspondents)… No advertising, and no (direct at least) influence from political parties (even if its sole source of financing is from the U.K. - I know this freedom of speech sounds strange, maybe it is part of the English culture - even though there are channels I wouldn’t trust for a penny) - slightly left wing to some extent (that’s fine with me).
A bit of free advertising for a good television that worths it… for a world tour, don’t hesitate to read these following online newspapers - I am not sure how independent they are, but at least, you’ll be collecting different point of views… don’t hesitate to add your favorite ones, or to comment…

Enjoy.

Belgium would be divided in 2/3 different countries? Fine, let it be that way (won’t be anytime soon though).

1. Brussels becomes part of Flanders ? I would hardly accept this idea - even if I speak Flemish, my mother tongue is French. Language Diversity (a concept I care a lot) might be at risk. On the other hand, if Brussels becomes part of Flanders, and if the UN, EU institutions make their job, Flanders might be coerced to become a bilingual entity (Brussels or the poison pill:-). This might be funny to try (but the joke might be for a short while).

2. Brussels becomes the first European state directly ruled by the European Commission? I would hardly accept this idea (being governed by a Greek, or a Swedish, or any other European citizen except a native). On the other hand, not so far ago (175 years ago), we were used to be ruled by Dutch, French, Austrian, Spanish,… during centuries). It would be a pretty big administration for such a small city though

3. Brussels becomes part of Wallonia ? Walloons speak French, we share common media (TV and newspapers). But do I want Brussels to be managed like Charleroi ? Sorry this was easy, but well, the most populated city of Wallonia is not really an example of transparency.

4. “Wallonia-Brussels” becomes part of France ? French speaks French, we share common media (TV and newspapers). But do I want a Sarkozy-Bruni duet as a royal example ? Ok, frankly, I don’t care, but Language Diversity (a concept I care a lot about) might be at risk in this case (I love speaking other languages).

5. Wallonia becomes part of Luxembourg (or maybe Wallonia takes over Luxemburg) ? In Luxembourg, 3 national languages. They are friendly, a bit rough, but friendly, they know how to manage business, and make money… mmmh why not, I’d like to explore this idea. A future country with 4 national languages, good governance, still some royal family… from a cultural point of view, it might be very powerful…

6. Wallonia, like Brussels becomes part of a “European federation entity”, under commandment of the EC. This might get very funny, but could open huge opportunities (an open-air laboratory on how to boost a whole region, a “EU flagship”, where ideas will be directly put into practice). On the other hand, the country is paralyzed by a very complex decision apparel, economy is not flourishing, entrepreneurship is still considered as a strange concept. Tough challenge,… would be these 16 844 km² be ready to become a Multicultural chaos ?

7. The Netherlands become part of Flanders (I know this is a bit cynic) ? Dutch speak a very close language to Flemish. But do you seriously believe Flemish would like to be called “Dutch” (I mean Hollanders being called Flemish?) ? There is after all a deep cultural gap (Flemish are mainly catholics, and Dutch protestants), and anyway The Netherlands will not accept to be called “Flanders”. This could constitute though one of the most powerful economic bloc… since Flanders would leave out Wallonia because of the money…

In the case some hurdles happen (at the “linguistic border”), if things get serious, I sell everything (I have nothing) and will live somewhere else, abroad (making money and surviving is hard enough) - maybe I’ll be entitled to get a US / Australian nationality ? Cool perspective (but please, not Arkansas)… Little Belgium between little Armenia and Little Italy…

Born in Brussels.

I don’t bloody care about the results of my national football team (ok, maybe except woman tennis), but I don’t mind watching a football match - I actually support the Dutch team (thanks to Overmars, so small, so fast).

I usually play low key when mentioning my origins (”born in Brussels”, that’s it, next?). My nationality is not a big deal when exchanging with “foreigners” (funny concept as well btw…).

I don’t know any Belgian folk songs by heart (and actually any songs), even if I enjoy listening at them (like any other songs from any other country). If it is possible to dance on it, I’ll be the first on the floor.

I don’t know my national anthem by heart (just the main chorus ; “le roi, la loi, la liberté” (”the king, the law, the freedom”) - ready to sing for freedom though). The English and the French ones sound great.

Even if I’m a French native speaker, I am fluent in two other languages (and basics in 5 others), I like to speak them all, alternatively, during the day. English is the new Lingua Franca, it’s a tool, a commodity. Dutch is a part of myself.

I prefer the taste of Czech beer (”Krusovice cerny” is my favorite), Belgian chocolate is fine, but I wouldn’t kill for it.

they are nice people everywhere (in Belgium and abroad). They are *ssh*les everywhere as well.

Oh, yes, I forgot,… Belgium has a government now where nearly all important political parties who competed during these elections, have gained official responsibilities (15 ministries from left to Flemish secessionist far-right sides - Mexican Army, here we are…)… opposition ? Funny Belgian concept… “concertation”, you mean.

Identity like national I.D. - if your personality were limited to what is written on this piece of plastic, I don’t think I would spend a sincere time with you (I might politely listen at you though).
Believe it or not, but this is my profession of faith as a Belgian. Keeping my eyes opened to other ways of thinking, learning from them, the world is big enough… up to you if you want to be considered as a cattle. In my country, we sell (specific) weapons (and bloody good ones) to (selected) third world countries (it is just for business of course), but we don’t use them at home… not legal for civilians to own one… we can make more money in other ways.

In the case of some hurdles in Belgium (split of the country, demonstrations). I’ll check what’s going on - if things get serious (which would sincerely surprise me), I sell everything (easy, I have nothing) and will live somewhere else, abroad (making money and surviving is hard enough) in a more peace minded country - maybe I’ll be entitled to get an Australian nationality ? Cool perspective… Little Belgium between little Armenia and Little Italy in Sidney… but don’t ask me to shoot on my neighbor because he speaks another language, and because we did not manage to communicate together. It is not because buying a gun is less time consuming, it brings a clever and long-lasting solution… and anyway I can’t really shoot.

What’s the best form of censorship you could ever think of ?
To not think about “what” you should not think.

In other words, your mind might be structured in such a way it would naturally be directed in certain tortuous directions, while in the mean time, it would be just busy focusing about those ones.

For instance, concretely, I have always wondered about the true meaning of pornography’s censorship in Europe… are we just focusing our attention to this debate (completely worthwhile in certain areas), so we unconsciously avoid topics that could enrich ours ? Do we have the opportunity to think about something else, when it is just wrapping our share of mind from any side ? Thinking, going outside the offered context requires an effort.

Hereunder are examples of books you would have never imagined. Don’t try to find them, you won’t (click on the pics for other examples).

Artwork visible at the Van Abbe Museum (Eindhoven - NL)
what if Ruhnama was a Bible ?