How should tradition be honored and incorporated in a world of rapid change?

[Skidmore]

I've been thinking about the acrimonious nature of some of the threads this morning. History is at once the recording of tradition and change. It is also the tool of the narratives of whole peoples and individuals, used and abused by the full spectrum of political ideologies and participants.

In this wedding this morning, the world was presented with a tableau of the traditions of a people. These traditions have been modified over the centuries in subtle manners sometimes and by more jolting political circumstances at others. I also believe that what the world witnessed was also forward looking in that the tradition has been picked up by a new generation and is being adapted to the needs of that generation.

None of us exist in a vacuum. We do not spring fully formed from the brow of Zeus. We are born into families who live within a geographical, economic, and national framework. When we enter the world, we enter into an environment fraught with history and traditions as well as national and global memory. Who we are is the sum total of all the interactions, experiences, and ideas of the generations before us. At the same time, we leave the imprint of our interactions and life knowledge on history.

Many of us may never extend our reach beyond the town or village we live in. At this time, the world has become more accessible through modes in which we are able to move between locales and to transmit ideas instantaneously. Change occurs at an accelerated pace because of this but not at the pace which many would like to see. The pace at which technological changes occur usually far outstrip social and civic change, both impacted by religions and the power structures of any society.

Neither tradition or change can exist without one another, in my opinion. I do not understand the mindset of those who stubbornly refuse to consider new ideas nor do I understand those who think the answer to everything is to blow up all aspects of society and disregard history entirely.

I have no problem with observing tradition while revising it.

[begin_within]

1. The hideous costumes and the pathetic concept of "royalty" should be the first things to go.

[Cant trust em]

2. This is well written and thought provoking post. nt