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Culture and Geography

Well, I started school back today. I have got to get out. This makes my third school in as many semesters.

So anyways, I am taking the History of Africa. One of the first things that we talked about was the geography of Africa. He asked why we thought we went through the geography. No one knew, of course. (It was the first day of class!)

Culture flows from geography

That was his answer. It makes sense, at least on the surface, and it really stuck in my brain. I know God is wanting me to learn something about being here in Sherman, and why He brought us here, and how we are to do what He has called us to.

So I ask you, dear reader, (both of you) What does this mean to you? Do you agree or disagree? Can you see it true in your own life and the culture around you?

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Anonymous said…
"Culture flows from geography"

There is much truth in that. Before the raise of modern technology (especially the use of electricity) people's response to their environment was in a large part responsible for the differences from other groups.
4:43 PM, January 14, 2005
Anonymous said…
I think the two are more intertwined than anything, not really one coming from the other. I mean, the world around you influences how you react to different events, but then sometimes how you react can change or trigger a future change in the environment. People in Africa seem to be more at the "mercy of the environment" because of the limited technology in the boondocks, but then again there is limited technology in the boondocks of Oklahoma, and those guys seem to do just fine. Where you are can impact how you react, but you are not subject to the environment. We are told to subdue the plants and animals of the world, not let them in their non-understanding rule us.

Brian Harrison
8:26 AM, January 19, 2005
Luke Holmes said…
Yeah, but geography can still limit your technology. I mean, even now, people in the middle of the desert or deep in the jungle have limited access to technology. Because their geography limits their ability to travel. And they can't build roads, becasue they don't have that access either. So it is up to the people with the technology to take it to them. Or should we just leave them be, and let them keep their culture?
9:29 AM, January 21, 2005
Anonymous said…
Well, you have to remember that geography is not just political boundries, topography, or latitude and longitude.

Geography is literally spatial relationship. There are already quite a few ongoing studies of the geography of the internet because the contacts involved are changing the topology of human geographies.
Culture flows from geography because you create your impressions and knowledge of your culture through contacts. And your spatial topology is what restricts or defines those contacts.
1:28 PM, April 26, 2005
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