I do see your point and understand what you’re saying.
You know that old saying of “you need to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes…” I think it sort of applies here, but maybe not in the usual way.
Cultural conditioning can run deep. Especially when we’ve lived surrounded by a particular, social, cultural and economic milieu for a very long time. I have noticed that those who have skipped around the globe for periods of time have less fixed perceptions about values and views on life. And can slip more easily into another “set of shoes” … so to speak.
I’m not meaning to offend anyone, just saying it as I have long perceived it. And there are many, many advantages to living within one set of social conditions - there’s stability, ease and sureness that those who’ve moved around alot may - it really depends on other factors too of course - not have.
One of the things I’ve noticed, sort of reading between the lines in the various news reports is something that I would ascribe to cultural differences. And that is a less regulated attitude to life - a more relaxed one.
Recently I heard someone comment on how the western country I’ve lived in now for most of my life is highly regulated. Every possible permutation and combination of what could go wrong is covered and then regulated for. Litigation is slowly becoming a reason for regulation, fear.
When I grew up amongst my Asian cousins and relatives, a totally different attitude existed. You just did stuff. Without fear and with a sort of “she’ll be right” confidence that I noticed because it was not the norm for me!
Now I can’t help wondering if it comes from a rather different and deeply held attitude to calamity and disaster and even death. When we’re cotton wooled from such things, regulated and legislated (I’m not saying this is bad, just reflecting on it), we tend to want to view the vagaries of life as being highly stressful events - even the very simple day-to-day disappointments. Sometimes, I’ve perceived, from those who’ve had different backgrounds and life experiences to me, a very different approach. One which I would very much like to learn from.
Reading some of the accounts, I can’t help noticing the values of a country that has been steeped in Buddhism for centuries. (Yes, I know there are issues, but all nations and peoples have those - we’re none of us perfect.)
I couldn’t help noticing the emphasis on selflessness (these are poor people) generosity, care for each other, forgiveness.
Yes, you could look into the past and seek to ascribe blame. Or make someone take responsibility. But it seems to me, when someone has already admitted their responsibility and apologised and suffered and tried to make amends (apparently he gave up all his food and water to his young charges), surely it’s rubbing salt in wounds, it’s adding pain and blame and taking away healing. Not just for him, but what message does it send his young charges? Do we want to teach each other that no matter how hard you try, or how good your intentions might have been, when you do make a serious error of judgement, you’ll be blamed and made to feel a lack of communion even when you honestly admit and apologise for your mistake and try to make amends?
Or you could approach things differently for the sake of whatever may or may not happen in the future - including how we approach human beings who make terrible mistakes - because we are one of those human beings too. I can’t help asking what good it would do the coach, those who look up to him, his family, his community, his country and the world, for him to be publicly made to admit fault. Why do we even need that? What is it in us that wants to do that? Isn’t the suffering that has already happened enough?
I’d be hesitant to impose any other values into interpreting what I have read so far than these. I’m not saying you shouldn’t or anyone else shouldn’t - there could be much good and value that comes from cross-cultural learning that goes in more than one direction. I’m just saying this is what currently feels right for me.
I couldn’t help reflecting on how different the news reports may have been if this tragedy had ocurred here. You would still get kind-hearted, hard working, beautiful people wanting to help. But there would be a subtle (and perhaps not so subtle) difference in the approach and thought patterns sent out into the world.
It’s not good or bad. It’s just how it is. Just conditioning.
I’m sure now that the main crisis is over, people will be looking to use the situation in different ways - some for their own gain. Again, I’m not saying that’s good or bad. But hopefully people remember and build on anything good and kind that happened and that is what will flow out into the world.