Human diversity: April 14, 1997 issue of New Thinking

April 14, 1997 New Thinking:
Human diversity

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April 14, 1997

Human diversity

By Gerry McGovern

The average American would recognize an Irish accent. However, not many Americans would recognize the difference between a Cavan and Longford accent.

I have often marveled at the extraordinary human diversity we have in this world. So many cultures, so many languages, so much variation, even within a given language or culture.

I have wondered why? The reason, I believe, is because human life imitates all life, and that life in general is diverse because in diversity lies strength.

Yes, we can also say that in similarity is strength too. I only have to look at the tribal nature of my own culture, and the ancient conflict in Northern Ireland, to understand the power of belonging to a clan.

These seeming contradictions are not so contradictory on closer examination. Nature demands diversity so that no one ‘super virus’ or event could wipe out all life. When that meteor struck the earth many million years ago, if all life had been in the form of dinosaurs then all life would have ended. Instead, the small, hunted creatures were flexible enough to adapt and survive.

Once you are within a group or species, you need to pull together, or else your group will fall apart, torn by its lack of cohesion and attacks from more organized groups. There are 32 counties in Ireland and perhaps 1,000 parishes. Parishes pull together as units, giving pride and identity to individuals, giving support and structure to families.

Having grown up a part of, and in other ways apart from a parish in rural Ireland, I was keenly aware as a child of what I just about had in my grasp and what was always slipping away. Today, I don’t really belong to any parish, but I know that the child in me would have always chosen to belong, had circumstance not ultimately left me on the outside.

It is natural to want to belong, and I think it is natural for humans to belong to relatively small groups, clans or tribes. We can find pride in a nation or culture, certainly, but that pride finds its well in the place where we are local.

These ideas and thoughts make we wonder about how the Internet will ultimately pan out. Yes, we are entering a Global Village, but this village already has some 50 million people in it. That is not a village, not a town, not a city. It’s a country. And in the new century it will be a world.

I personally can’t cope with knowing a world, with relating to a world. In any sort of personal way, I know a couple of hundred people. The number of friends I have is far fewer. I live in a small world, as much as I try to think my big ideas.

I am a part of this growing, vibrant Internet world; addicted to its awesome possibilities. But I am apart from it when I look on in love or anger. My home is my family and my culture.

Though sometimes I wonder, as another late night before a bright screen reminds me that so much of my time is spent away from home.

By Gerry McGovern

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It is natural to want to belong, and I think it is natural for humans to belong to relatively small groups, clans or tribes.