Because of the Americans (interesting analysis of Arab culture)

Frontpage ^ | November 28, 2001 | Jamie Glazov

[CathyRyan]

The ones that were nationalized, sweetie.

[Patria One]

Which Oilfields were Nationalized?

[IronJack]

Thanks dude.

[tlrugit]

Sounds like my wife. All her problems are my fault.

[Interesting Times]

In The Arab Mind, scholar Raphael Patai demonstrates how the Arab language is much more based on its poetic and musical quality than on the valid use of past and present tenses – which are often mixed up. In the Arab culture, therefore, there is a great appreciation of gesture, but not necessarily an emphasis on logic, or on the relationship between cause and effect. When learning to speak, Arab children quickly adopt the specific and popular stylistic devices known as mubalagha (exaggeration) and tawkid (overassertion). There is often confusion in Arab society over the difference between words and action. Saying that you are going to do something can often become much more significant than actually doing it. Words serve as substitutes for acts.

An important observation.

One result is that warlords accustomed to posturing and exaggeration are likely to overlook the understated, deadly threats made by President Bush.

[Utah Girl]

Ping!

[No.6]

"Arabs do seem to be like liberals, but without the bleeding hearts.

With many liberals the bleeding heart is a tactic, not a feeling. They are amoral and use the tactic to intimidate those with morals and true compassion. It works too often."

It's like Aztecs, the bleeding heart isn't THEIR heart.

[denydenydeny]

Bump to Clash of Civilizations list.

[Woahhs]

Egads! Those frighteningly brilliant deconstructionists have found us out.

[LaBelleDameSansMerci]

"...You don't even attempt to disguise your contempt for your fellow citizens...."

Well if, in fact, contempt is seeping into my heart I must do something about it. I must root it out somehow. Perhaps I should start by ignoring all the contemptible things I see and hear going on around me. Things like this:

"...Animals don't possess the capability for self-reflection, nor do they change behavior unless they are forced to.... But animals are animals...."

I'm not a naturally contemptuous person. I guess the Real World is more difficult for a simple soul like me to navigate than my more sophisticated brethren....

[Shoeshyne Boy]

Very interesting. It may explain some of the things about the Arab psyche we've been discussing.

[Nick Danger]

I keep seeing subtle evidence that the so-called "Arab oppression of women" is not what it seems.

...the Arab language is much more based on its poetic and musical quality than on the valid use of past and present tenses -- which are often mixed up.

...there is a great appreciation of gesture, but not necessarily an emphasis on logic, or on the relationship between cause and effect.

...specific and popular stylistic devices known as mubalagha (exaggeration) and tawkid (overassertion).

...confusion in Arab society over the difference between words and action. Saying that you are going to do something can often become much more significant than actually doing it. Words serve as substitutes for acts.

...many Arabs often do not end up feeling a sense of responsibility for their own failures. To admit that a problem is one?s own fault brings humiliation upon one's self and also shames the group's honor. Thus, the obsession with avoiding shame cancels out the possibility of truthful self-reflection and examination.

...When a problem is confronted in the Arab world, a hidden enemy is often imagined.

...Many Arabs simply grow up believing that success in their societies is simply just supposed to materialize

These are not the characteristics of a culture that is dominated by men.

Camille Paglia once said, "if civilization had been left in female hands, we would still be living in grass huts." Well, these people don't have much grass, so they make their huts out of mud.

Everything we see on the outside says that women are oppressed in those countries. I don't believe it. That culture is run by its women; the whole cultural milieu screams it.

Let the flames begin

[Lurker]

"Could it be they simply do not have the genetic make up necessary to get up of (sic) their collective behinds and do something?"

What a fascinating question you pose.

Regards,

L

[185JHP]

Imagine what their countries would be like without the oil. Cultural attitudes mean things, and have consequences. The problem is, race/poverty pimps start whining if you say things that are a little too uncomfortably true. Can you imagine what Mexico would be like, without the benefits it gets from bordering on the U.S.? There are a lot of wonderful Mexican people, but what a rotten culture.

[dennisw]

Great essay....

[dennisw]

The hyper yang masculinity of the Arabs turns into it's opposite at the edges. This is how the Arab world gets the feminine traits you see. This paragraph jumped out at me too.

Women are not very influential in a society (religion too) that allows multiple wives. My take is that multiple wives are encouraged for the more alpha of the Arab males. This produces a shortage of women for the rest of the males. Who are then more restless and more eager to go to war. Sort of like China with it oversupply of males due to abortion of female fetuses.

[GeronL]

The result is that many Arabs often do not end up feeling a sense of responsibility for their own failures. To admit that a problem is one’s own fault brings humiliation upon one's self and also shames the group's honor. Thus, the obsession with avoiding shame cancels out the possibility of truthful self-reflection and examination.

This explains Democrats too.

[Cachelot]

but isn't all this an elaborate way of saying Arabs are stupid and lazy?

You mean to describe Arab culture is to be saying they're stupid and lazy?

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

In the Arab culture, therefore, there is a great appreciation of gesture, but not necessarily an emphasis on logic, or on the relationship between cause and effect.

Isn't this true of Demonrat culture, too?

[Cachelot]

These are not the characteristics of a culture that is dominated by men.

Arab culture is dominated by males. Nothing that says they have to be men. Actually, there's a great deal of evidence to the contrary.