“Culture is a concept that encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, attitudes, and habits of the individuals in these groups. Culture often originates from or is attributed to a specific region or location.”
-Wikipedia
We have an intuitive understanding of culture. Our default understanding. Unsurprisingly, this comes from the culture we are a part of.
When we talk about “our culture” I often hear people describe a violent, capitalistic society. Guns and McDonalds.
This is our culture’s view of our culture. Or a piece of it.
But what is our culture, really?
How could it even be defined? When every person has their own, or even, multiple perspectives?
What might the smallest unit of culture be?
I like to imagine culture as a liquid, each of our different moods or perspectives filling a colored vat. Each of us having countless vats.
When we talk to others, these colors mix and blend, if we let ideas in. Often at least a little slips through.
The smallest unit is an association. It could be a feeling associated with an object, a shared association of what something is.
It’s important to remember, what we truly share and value. Our impression of good.
There is a widely shared global culture that values kindness, love, and so many other virtues that each of us holds.
It’s not perfect, its not evenly distributed, but lets not take the good culture of our nation and the world for granted.
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