Hay muchos acontecimientos que definen la historia de un país; sus conquistas, sus derrotas, sus decisiones más importantes, entre muchas otras cosas. Sin embargo, en un proceso lento y talvez imperceptible, esta historia y estos hechos junto con otras influencias, van moldeando la manera de ser de su gente. Costa Rica siempre ha sido caracterizada por su paz, su tranquilidad y por ser un pueblo muy amigable, sin embargo para ningún costarricense es un secreto que el país ya NO es un pueblo, y que a su gente ya no se le describe simplemente con el adjetivo ‘amigable’ sino que se ha vuelto mucho más compleja.
Existen muchos aspectos positivos que rescatar de la forma de ser de los ticos. Vivimos en un mundo donde los valores van despareciendo cada día mas, sin embargo en Costa Rica esto no se ha dado como en otros países. Esto no quiere decir que nuestra sociedad no se está corrompiendo, simplemente que lo está haciendo más lentamente que en otros lugares del mundo en donde la honestidad o la fidelidad se ven como conceptos de siglo pasado.
Una característica a rescatar es la felicidad de la gente, en general por supuesto; basta que la selección gane un partido de fútbol o que bajen unos cuantos colones la gasolina para que el país entero ya este con una sonrisa en la cara agradeciendo su suerte. Además, uno de los pilares que ha permitido que nuestra sociedad no se desborone, es la enorme importancia que le otorgan los costarricenses a la familia; pues el hecho de que festividades como la navidad y acontecimientos como una graduación sean vividos por la familia en su totalidad, demuestra que los lazos de unión y por supuesto de amor aún se mantienen fuertes en la mayoría de los hogares. Además también se puede tomar el ejemplo de muchos incansables padres y madres que luchan diariamente por darles una vida digna a sus allegados.
Ahora vamos a tratar la política en Costa Rica, pues analizando este tema se pueden sacar muchas conclusiones a cerca de la manera de ser de los costarricenses. Empezando por el momento en que los ciudadanos del país se convierten en votantes, los políticos comienzan a prometer un sin fin de cosas absurdas, lo que si parece hasta un poco irónico, es que nuestra población a pesar de ser una de las que tiene mayor nivel de educación en América es sumamente inocente y ‘‘come cuento’’.
Luego de las elecciones presidenciales, la gran mayoría de las costarricenses cree que su deber político termina, entonces si ocurren cosas desfavorables para el país (y que los afectan directamente), simplemente dicen que el culpable es el gobierno (que ellos mismos eligieron). De todo esto, quizás el mayor descaro sea que a la hora de juzgar a instituciones o servidores públicos (ministros, alcaldes, etc.), el costarricense opte por una de dos vías; o simplemente dice la famosa frase ‘eso no me importa a mí’, o se burla de la situación restándole toda la importancia que pueda tener.
A pesar de la competitividad que se nota evidentemente entre los ticos diariamente, nadie puede negar que si hay un momento en el que el país entero se une, es cuando juega la Selección Nacional de Fútbol. Aunque sea bajo la mayor hipocresía del mundo, al ver un partido nace un sentimiento, quizás instintivo, de hermandad. Claro que si hay un invitado seguro tanto a los partidos de fútbol como a cualquier fiesta, es el alcohol. Pues lastimosamente este se ha convertido en un amigo inseparable de una gran cantidad de costarricenses, podría vérsele como el ‘alma de la fiesta’.
Un sentimiento que ha ido invadiendo la personalidad de los habitantes del país, es definitivamente el narcisismo, pues si bien las personas no se creen perfectas, definitivamente intuyen que son mejores que los demás. Este individualismo ha creado un abismo entre persona y persona dentro de la sociedad, lo que ha creado que las personas estén demasiado ocupadas preocupándose de si mismas como para pensar en ayudar a los demás. Podría lastimosamente decirse, que en una de las pocas ocasiones en que el individuo ve a su lado para observar a quien lo rodea, es cuando se siente amenazado; cuando siente que hay alguien que amenaza con superarlo en algún aspecto. Al ver que no se puede hacer nada para mejorar sus características individuales, se intenta hacer algo mucho más fácil: ‘bajar’ a los demás para sentirse ‘más’. Esto pues hacer un daño ( en este caso en la autoestima de una persona) se torna muy sencillo cuando se le pone ‘empeño adecuado’.
Aunque en la sociedad costarricense es innegable que hay muchos aspectos dignos de aplaudir, no se pueden cubrir los ojos y decir que todo es color de rosa. Definitivamente decir que todos los ticos somos hermanos y nos preocupamos unos por otros es una utopía, que se ve cada vez más imposible al analizar los resentimientos y actitudes que muestra la sociedad actual. Estas ‘enfermedades’ que han llegado a desgastar las relaciones interpersonales que se dan entre las personas si bien es cierto que son malas, no son imposibles de curar.
Lo que nos ha hecho falta a los costarricenses es que haya una ‘cadena’ que nos una para que dejemos de ser individuos aislados y comencemos a ser una verdadera sociedad, donde cada quien esté conciente de que tiene una persona a su lado, a quien puede ayudar o incluso pedir ayuda. En el momento en que los costarricenses dejemos de lado la competitividad y los deseos de poder y nos demos cuenta de que las cargas políticas, sociales y económicas se pueden alivianar si las llevamos entre todos, cada uno podrá respirar y empezar a trabajar duro, no por ser mejor que el otro sino para ser uno con el otro.
viernes, 16 de enero de 2009
The Touch to the Untouchables
The Touch to the Untouchables
They thought they were untouchable and had to worry about nothing, no one would ever be so brave and hasty to defy them, but in December 7, 1941 the United States of America’s forces in Pearl Harbor were suddenly attacked and terminated by a country that didn’t accept to submit to its power. In 1941 Japan showed the whole world it wasn’t impossible to defeat the army of one of the most powerful countries of the world, if a plan was well-prepared.
The surprise was complete. Japanese planes attacked in two waves and, made a total chaos began. 2,403 dead, 188 destroyed planes, and 8 destroyed battleships are some of the effects of this attack. All the world was shocked with this attack, including the government of the United States. President Roosevelt announced in a conference with his congress on December 8, 1941: “Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves.”
Certainly, the premeditated actions of the Japanese were essential, they cheated the whole world. Japanese sent diplomatic to the United States to distract them, to convince them that the Emperor wanted to maintain peace in the Pacific, and this cheat worked.
How did the Japanese could send all their naval planes all the way form Japan to Hawaii with no one noticing it? How Japanese could know the exact locations of Pearl Harbor’s naval stuff? One of the main reasons is that the United States never thought of the possibility of an attack, and even though they knew Japan’s planes had “disappeared”, the government didn’t imagine a sudden attack.
Japanese also deserve a lot of merit. They knew they could send a spy to Pearl Harbor disguised as a tourist to take pictures and information, and that no one would suspect anything, because the Americans were confided that Japan, as well as most nations in the world, would have fear and would submit to most of their wishes. This is the reason that Japanese had so much information before attacking Pearl Harbor, and knew precisely where and how to attack to leave this place with no protection.
326 Japanese planes were in their way to attack Pearl Harbor, Japanese knew already that because of the masquerade they had armed in Washington (ambassadors pretending to have intentions of peace) the United Stated didn’t expect an attack, and in Pearl Harbor the army of the Americans was only training hard or sleeping. This brilliant attack was about to begin. For theJapanese, it was show time.
On December 7th Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong, Guam, the Philippine Islands, and Wake Island. In the morning of September 8th the Japanese attacked Midway Island. This was a coordinated attempt to use surprise in order to inflict as much damage as quickly as possible to strategic targets. This is, again, showing everything was previously planned, and with extreme precision.
Many American lives and equipment were lost. Also the environment suffered because of all the fuel oil that contaminated the Pacific Ocean. But what was mostly damaged was the dignity, pride, and honour of Americans.
Not even the government could believe one country that had one of the best armies of the world, one country that had been afraid of no other threatens before, their country, had lost this battle. An Army captain who had helped to discover the Japanese diplomatic "Purple" code (treats of peace to cheat the United States), said to his wife repeatedly, "But they knew, they knew, they knew."
Years later in 1941, president Roosevelt and the chief of his Army said, if Japan would have continued attacking right after Pearl Harbor, Japanese could have gotten all California, and maybe more because the United States didn’t have enough sources at that moment to regain all it had lost (soldiers and equipment) in Pearl Harbor.
But the US didn't stay as if nothing had happend, because then the country would look weak at the eyes of the world, and would be attacked again by other countries who didn't agee with the decisions the government of the Americans was taking.
The threaten to Japan came immediately after the attack in Hawaii. President Roosevelt with the support of most members of the congress, decisively said: “Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves… As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. ”
A war had started between the United States of America and the country of Japan. This was very dangerous, but no one suspected all the anger and extreme destruction this war would cause. This was like waking a huge and agressive monster from a dream.
Japan had an association with Germany. Hitlerand his Nazi empire were over confident and on December 11th attacked, but the monster that was the United States was angry, very angry and defeated them.
Several battles took place, first during the Pacifc War, and then with a victory for the U.S. in the Battle of Midway. Four years later, the United States found a way to completely destroy Japan and leave it out of action for a lot of time.
This way was cheap and effective.
The solution to the problems the United States faced was the atomic bomb.
Two accurate attacks at Hiroshima and Nagasaki were enough. Obviously after this Japan surrendered, and no country wanted to “offend” the United States. The atomic bomb was a clever way to end all attempts of attack any country in the world could have, but this incredible and destructive weapon was used under a high prize: hundreds of lives were lost, the environment around the attacks was left with nothing but ashes; still today there are parts of Japan where vegetation does not grow.
It is said Pearl Harbor is ''the mother of all conspiracies''. Pearl Harbor’s attack was a good plan the Japanese had to defeat the United States, but Japanese didn’t take into account the enormous power the United States had. Pearl Harbor united a divided country (the United States) into one that wanted to enter a war, and win!
This battle between powers was difficult. The United States' wish to win led to something so destructive as the atomic bomb, without thinking-or carrying- about all the about the consequences, without thinking about all the hundreds of innocent people that would die. Pearl Harbor’s attack and its effects showed the world that for governments, power is the most important thing, power is over peace, over countries, over boundaries and, over human lives. This is not right, it is a big sign saying our society is not going in the right way. If we want humanity to survive ourselves, we must first look at situations as Pearl Harbor or Hiroshima, and learn from them, learn about its consequences, not no repeat them, but to make sure none of these will ever happen again.
They thought they were untouchable and had to worry about nothing, no one would ever be so brave and hasty to defy them, but in December 7, 1941 the United States of America’s forces in Pearl Harbor were suddenly attacked and terminated by a country that didn’t accept to submit to its power. In 1941 Japan showed the whole world it wasn’t impossible to defeat the army of one of the most powerful countries of the world, if a plan was well-prepared.
The surprise was complete. Japanese planes attacked in two waves and, made a total chaos began. 2,403 dead, 188 destroyed planes, and 8 destroyed battleships are some of the effects of this attack. All the world was shocked with this attack, including the government of the United States. President Roosevelt announced in a conference with his congress on December 8, 1941: “Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves.”
Certainly, the premeditated actions of the Japanese were essential, they cheated the whole world. Japanese sent diplomatic to the United States to distract them, to convince them that the Emperor wanted to maintain peace in the Pacific, and this cheat worked.
How did the Japanese could send all their naval planes all the way form Japan to Hawaii with no one noticing it? How Japanese could know the exact locations of Pearl Harbor’s naval stuff? One of the main reasons is that the United States never thought of the possibility of an attack, and even though they knew Japan’s planes had “disappeared”, the government didn’t imagine a sudden attack.
Japanese also deserve a lot of merit. They knew they could send a spy to Pearl Harbor disguised as a tourist to take pictures and information, and that no one would suspect anything, because the Americans were confided that Japan, as well as most nations in the world, would have fear and would submit to most of their wishes. This is the reason that Japanese had so much information before attacking Pearl Harbor, and knew precisely where and how to attack to leave this place with no protection.
326 Japanese planes were in their way to attack Pearl Harbor, Japanese knew already that because of the masquerade they had armed in Washington (ambassadors pretending to have intentions of peace) the United Stated didn’t expect an attack, and in Pearl Harbor the army of the Americans was only training hard or sleeping. This brilliant attack was about to begin. For theJapanese, it was show time.
On December 7th Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong, Guam, the Philippine Islands, and Wake Island. In the morning of September 8th the Japanese attacked Midway Island. This was a coordinated attempt to use surprise in order to inflict as much damage as quickly as possible to strategic targets. This is, again, showing everything was previously planned, and with extreme precision.
Many American lives and equipment were lost. Also the environment suffered because of all the fuel oil that contaminated the Pacific Ocean. But what was mostly damaged was the dignity, pride, and honour of Americans.
Not even the government could believe one country that had one of the best armies of the world, one country that had been afraid of no other threatens before, their country, had lost this battle. An Army captain who had helped to discover the Japanese diplomatic "Purple" code (treats of peace to cheat the United States), said to his wife repeatedly, "But they knew, they knew, they knew."
Years later in 1941, president Roosevelt and the chief of his Army said, if Japan would have continued attacking right after Pearl Harbor, Japanese could have gotten all California, and maybe more because the United States didn’t have enough sources at that moment to regain all it had lost (soldiers and equipment) in Pearl Harbor.
But the US didn't stay as if nothing had happend, because then the country would look weak at the eyes of the world, and would be attacked again by other countries who didn't agee with the decisions the government of the Americans was taking.
The threaten to Japan came immediately after the attack in Hawaii. President Roosevelt with the support of most members of the congress, decisively said: “Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves… As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. ”
A war had started between the United States of America and the country of Japan. This was very dangerous, but no one suspected all the anger and extreme destruction this war would cause. This was like waking a huge and agressive monster from a dream.
Japan had an association with Germany. Hitlerand his Nazi empire were over confident and on December 11th attacked, but the monster that was the United States was angry, very angry and defeated them.
Several battles took place, first during the Pacifc War, and then with a victory for the U.S. in the Battle of Midway. Four years later, the United States found a way to completely destroy Japan and leave it out of action for a lot of time.
This way was cheap and effective.
The solution to the problems the United States faced was the atomic bomb.
Two accurate attacks at Hiroshima and Nagasaki were enough. Obviously after this Japan surrendered, and no country wanted to “offend” the United States. The atomic bomb was a clever way to end all attempts of attack any country in the world could have, but this incredible and destructive weapon was used under a high prize: hundreds of lives were lost, the environment around the attacks was left with nothing but ashes; still today there are parts of Japan where vegetation does not grow.
It is said Pearl Harbor is ''the mother of all conspiracies''. Pearl Harbor’s attack was a good plan the Japanese had to defeat the United States, but Japanese didn’t take into account the enormous power the United States had. Pearl Harbor united a divided country (the United States) into one that wanted to enter a war, and win!
This battle between powers was difficult. The United States' wish to win led to something so destructive as the atomic bomb, without thinking-or carrying- about all the about the consequences, without thinking about all the hundreds of innocent people that would die. Pearl Harbor’s attack and its effects showed the world that for governments, power is the most important thing, power is over peace, over countries, over boundaries and, over human lives. This is not right, it is a big sign saying our society is not going in the right way. If we want humanity to survive ourselves, we must first look at situations as Pearl Harbor or Hiroshima, and learn from them, learn about its consequences, not no repeat them, but to make sure none of these will ever happen again.
Sobreviviendo en 'tribus', pero renunciando al individualismo
Debido a la falta de ideales individuales y como sociedad se empiezan a dar las llamadas ''neotribus'', grupos cuyos miembros deben adoptar un determinado código de conducta que alcanza incluso la forma en que se visten, con quienes se relacionan y los lugares que visitan, es decir, un estilo de vida. Aqui se pueden citar unas etiquetas ya bien conocidas, los 'punk', 'otakus, 'emos', los clásicos nerds, y así sigue una larga lista.
Esto es nocivo, en la medida en que las personas, jovenes en este caso, no son fieles a su personalidad ni se esfuerzan por tener caracter, lejos de eso más bien se esconden tras los estandartes y etiquetas que ofrecen ciertos grupos..porque bueno es mucho más sencillo que tener que ser ellos mismos, pero claro si bien estamos hechos para vivir en colectividad, lo ideal para realizarse como ser integral es ser un ''INDIVIDUO EN SOCIEDAD'', como propuso un buen ensayista tico, quiere decir relacionarse e interactuar sin perder de vista la escencia y los ideales que tiene cada uno. Aqui también podemos hablar de la valoración que muchos le dan hoy a la autenticidad, porque si bien muchas personas se esfuerzan por calzar en ciertos grupos y defender las creencias de ese grupo, no se esfuerzan de la misma forma en conservarse a sí mismos y defender sus ideas.
Pero bno, este comportamiento neotribal es comprensible en una sociedad que es una selva, agresiva y despiadada, donde a menudo esta presente la sensación de que necesitamos un grupo que nos defienda, para estar protegidos y sobrevivir en un mundo cruel en el que la escala de valores esta completamente invertida, y en el que la depreciación del ser humano como algo más que un eslabón necesario en la cadena del consumismo es critica.
Ahora, son estas ''tribus'' la respuesta a un mundo de contradicciones o son la respuesta en la busqueda d la identidad? han demostrado no serlo pues lejos de orientar en la busqueda de la identidad, en la mayoria de los casos terminan consumiendo la personalidad de las personas, hasta confundiendolos para adoptar como suyos los valores y creencias del grupo aun sin percatarse.
Esto es nocivo, en la medida en que las personas, jovenes en este caso, no son fieles a su personalidad ni se esfuerzan por tener caracter, lejos de eso más bien se esconden tras los estandartes y etiquetas que ofrecen ciertos grupos..porque bueno es mucho más sencillo que tener que ser ellos mismos, pero claro si bien estamos hechos para vivir en colectividad, lo ideal para realizarse como ser integral es ser un ''INDIVIDUO EN SOCIEDAD'', como propuso un buen ensayista tico, quiere decir relacionarse e interactuar sin perder de vista la escencia y los ideales que tiene cada uno. Aqui también podemos hablar de la valoración que muchos le dan hoy a la autenticidad, porque si bien muchas personas se esfuerzan por calzar en ciertos grupos y defender las creencias de ese grupo, no se esfuerzan de la misma forma en conservarse a sí mismos y defender sus ideas.
Pero bno, este comportamiento neotribal es comprensible en una sociedad que es una selva, agresiva y despiadada, donde a menudo esta presente la sensación de que necesitamos un grupo que nos defienda, para estar protegidos y sobrevivir en un mundo cruel en el que la escala de valores esta completamente invertida, y en el que la depreciación del ser humano como algo más que un eslabón necesario en la cadena del consumismo es critica.
Ahora, son estas ''tribus'' la respuesta a un mundo de contradicciones o son la respuesta en la busqueda d la identidad? han demostrado no serlo pues lejos de orientar en la busqueda de la identidad, en la mayoria de los casos terminan consumiendo la personalidad de las personas, hasta confundiendolos para adoptar como suyos los valores y creencias del grupo aun sin percatarse.
miércoles, 19 de noviembre de 2008
De reojo...navidad eterna??
Es el libro que actualmente estoy leyendo, de reojo de GBG, Gerardo Bolaños Gonzalez, con una recopilación de muchas columnas sobre realidad nacional que él escribio durante muchos años para la actual Proa. Apenas lo estoy comenzando, por lo que no puedo hablar del libro en su totalidad, pero especialmente (seguramente por la época) me llamo la atención un artículo llamado Control de Natalidad, que habla de que ahora las navidades son cada nueve meses, prolongando también el consumismo desmedido que viene de la mano con esta época por supuesto, y reflexionando (y no es q no me guste la navidad, soy honesta: me encanta)), es triste que el unico motivo por el que se anticipa la ''celebracion'' de esta época es porque resulta muy lucrativo y por lo tanto atractivo en exceso para quienes estan en el negocio. Esto también ha hecho que la navidad pierda el sentido, pues hay un dueto magico: intereses materialistas y una sociedad enferma de consumismo agudo, que se limita a adquirir y seguir los patrones y caminos que le ofrecen, es acarriada facilmente, y no puede - xq talvez ni siquiera ha meditado a cerca d la existancia de esta opción- detenerse a reflexionar y analizar que tanto adorno, regalos y brillantina lo que hacen es oscurecer e incluso desvanecer lo que es realmente la navidad: Reflexión y agradecimiento a Dios, compartir con la familia y los amigos, y ser agradecido con ellos por todo...pero bueno para muchos es simplemente época para guardar plata para muchas chucherias para regalos y quedar en quiebra, para irse de fiesta, o simplemete un dia feriado para criticar el concumismo...de cualquier manera no se hace nada al respecto y si no salvamos la navidad, vamos a terminar con 3 meses de rojo y verde, de arboles, de envolturas, pero de vacío.
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