Patriotism: December14, 1998 issue of New Thinking

December 14, 1998 New Thinking:
Patriotism

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December 14, 1998

Patriotism

By Gerry McGovern

Does patriotism have a place in the digital age? I believe that it does. Call me old-fashioned, out-of-step or out-of-date, but I hold as a fundamental belief that we have a patriotic duty as citizens to the country we belong to.

The idea of patriotic duty is very unfashionable in the elite circles of the digerati. The idea of place is unfashionable. You are supposed to be part of this ‘world’ thing. Interestingly, what many of the digerati mean by ‘world’ is in reality San Francisco/Silicon Valley, or at least the United States. So, often behind the professed world thing is an impatience that the world isn’t young, single and hip and living in a loft downtown.

We hear the term globalization at lot as well. The theory is that companies and countries are dissipating, losing their physical chains so as to focus on doing their world thing. Again, globalization might as well be another name for Westernization, which might as well be another name for Americanization. (Please, I’m not being anti-American, just stating what I see as a reality.)

There may well be a new wave of tribes and cultures emerging on the Internet. They may pay allegiance to and be patriotic towards a way of thinking and living, rather than to a physical place or race. This may all be so but what I know is that I am not part of this trend. I have missed the proverbial boat here and am left with an older mindset.

I feel a patriotic duty towards Ireland and Irishness. Why? Well, Ireland as a nation has given me a secure framework within which to grow up. It educated me and looked after me when I was sick. It provided for me in a number of other ways. Culturally, Ireland gave me a context for my life. It made me feel that I was part of something, part of traditions, part of a creative spirit, part of a history.

I now feel obliged to Ireland. My taxes fulfill some of my obligations, but I know that there is more needed. I know that if I did fulfill these extra obligations then I would be in no way unique. Every week my children pursue a range of sports. They are trained by a range of unpaid enthusiasts, many of whom exhibit a fantastic dedication and expertise. I have a tremendous admiration for these people – there is something very pure in what they do.

We could look at the Internet and say that much that has made it what it is has been drawn from the same well as patriotism. The unpaid effort, the free information, the ready helpfulness, the sense of sharing, have been essential building blocks upon which the Internet has been fashioned.

Come to think of it, I do feel a certain sense of patriotic duty towards the Internet. My contribution towards building it has been absolutely minimal, but I still feel that I have been part of some grand – sometimes idealistic – effort. Although significantly over-rated, the Internet does reflect a broad human effort that has crossed nations and built networks.

Of course, there is nothing contradictory about feeling patriotic towards the Internet and your own country. Patriotism, after all, involves a love of things and a giving towards a larger ideal. Loving your country and loving humanity can and should run parallel.

Gerry McGovern

Next issue: Christmas 1998
Previous issue: Staff build (and destroy) brands
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We could look at the Internet and say that much that has made it what it is has been drawn from the same well as patriotism.