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Vineet Punyamoorty

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Why do we need to protect the traditions and cultures? What will happe if we don't?

We all hear people talking about forming associations for the cause of saving and preserving the 'rich and diverse' cultures and traditions..... blah blah.... But why do we need to conserve tradition? What will happen if we don't protect the cultures?

Related Talks:
Topics: Folk and Traditional Arts culture
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  • Mary M. 50+

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    Mar 1 2012: Because they show where we came from and help us to understand ourselves better.

    In a recent TED talk a marine scientist brought out that people have a hard time looking at the past.

    He used pictures to show how big trophy fish were a few decades ago. And how people in general don't
    like to look back because it will make them face the reality of today.

    Many cultural traditions enrich our lives, especially like Heather mentioned.

    And while some traditions might have been detrimental and have been done away with, others are beautiful and deserve to be practiced and preserved for future generations to enjoy.
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    Heather White 10+

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    Feb 29 2012: Human culture and traditions are subject to change as they are passed down the generations - its like an inter-generational game of Chinese whispers. However, I think the point your trying to make is why should old traditions be respected in this modern, high tech age. Some traditions that are inhumane, discriminatory or environmentally damaging should be allowed to die out, but many traditional arts and craft, folk tales and histories, environmental protection and survival techniques should be preserved as a valued aspect of human development - as a link to our past and as the pointer to our future. The preservation of knowledge is never a waste. As oil runs out we may need to revert to some of our old ways to survive.
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    edward long 100+

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    Feb 29 2012: Our lives will became as shaky as a fiddler on the roof.
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    Anne Dagen 10+

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    Feb 29 2012: You can't stop it happening. The fact that a group of people are prepared to make the conservation effort means that the tradition / culture has value for them. So unless you actively prevent conservation, it will happen for the things that people value. If you think about it, something only becomes a tradition if it's seen to have value.
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