The view from 50,000 feet -- FCS Discussion Forum

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Subject: The view from 50,000 feet

Author:
Michael J. Smith (Canada)

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Date Posted: 22:23:32 01/25/05 Tue
In reply to: Ian (Australia) 's message, "farewell FCS" on 18:37:34 01/25/05 Tue

If the future is all about freedom, mobility and interconnectivity on a global scale, to what extent does the FCS facilitate this, and to what extent does the FCS get in the way? Ian is right, it's tiresome to keep explaining to people that we do not advocate exclusivity on the basis of race, we advocate it on the basis of culture.

But if the future of the world is about tearing down the walls of exclusivity at every level: ethnically, linguistically, economically, culturally and even, eventually, nationalistically, then are we taking the broad view at FCS? Why are we stuck in the mindset of identity politics when such will become more and more irrelevant as we progress into the 21st Century? As individuals, will we not be differentiated more on the basis of our interests, than on what country we were born in, or what religion or power bloc we belong to?

Is FCS dead before it begins?

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Replies:

[> [> Subject: My View...

Author:
Dave (UK)
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Date Posted: 22:38:39 01/25/05 Tue

I don�t believe that walls of exclusivity are being broken down at every level. China will be a dominant player in years to come, and our direct competitor in all likelihood by the time an FC transpires. China remains a very closed society both politically and economically. What we are witnessing is a �globularisation� of the western world, with multi-polar powers (EU, NAFTA etc) forming in order to preserve our prosperity in the future of the new reality. What we in the FCS seek to do is merely re-arrange the chessboard based on culture and identity, rather than geography.

Identity remains as important as ever. When identity is threatened, it only creates conflict and destabilisation.

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[> [> [> Subject: Identity Politics
Author: Michael J. Smith (Canada) [ Edit \| View ]	Date Posted: 16:34:05 01/26/05 Wed No, you're right Dave. Identity will always be with us, but I'm not sure that it will be of paramount relevance in the decades (or centuries) to come. I was taking a very long view and getting a bit Trekky on myself. The FCS idea would be a huge step in the direction of world citizenry, which -- eventually -- will happen. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]