Section I: Travel Itinerary & Review, Feb - Jul 2000

Laos

Excluding Laos, which has recently opened up its borders, the bits and pieces I have seen of Southeast Asia have surprised me with their degree of development and modernization. Though I couldn't care less for its pervasive religious belief, its cherished temples-mosques and most of its history (* smile * -- is there anything left?!), I have found it very user-friendly in terms of language and general ease of travel. Being able to relax a little more after an intensive ten months of China, along with enjoying the beautiful island scenery, I've had more time and energy to reflect on things. To begin, a few random experiences and images …

I'll start with the 'Lao People's Democratic Republic'. Eight days of transit, stopping for a night or two at some four towns and cities. I had heard that the inflation rate in Laos was one of the highest in all of Asia. That fact hit me fast at the border. I cashed in $20 US, and was rewarded with 150,000 kip - two hundred bills in 1000 and 500 denominations. I laughed while the bank clerk mumbled, "It's a lot of money" (volume). Stuffing so much paper into my money belt made me look and feel bloated.

From the border to the first provincial capital I was introduced to the local population in a peculiar manner. I'll take a flying leap and presume that road travel is not a usual experience for Lao folks, for a number of locals would vomit during the ride due to motion sickness. Us backpackers didn't get it easy as many of our bags and clothes were sprayed with the day's meals. They would throw up breakfast, we'd stop for lunch, and half an hour later up came lunch.

The Northern half of Laos was forests and greens, mile after mile. I kept looking at a number of large trees and being amazed. When I kept pointing out massive trees to one guy, I'm sure he thought I was looned. People are surprised when I mention the high degree of deforestation in China. When you see a picture of me in an extreme northern China lumberyard, what you're seeing are the last large forests in China being cut down. (Yearly flooding of the Yangtze River in central China will back me up on this one.)

My route through the country took me to and through Luang Namtha, Oudomsay, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane. As Laos is the Southeast Asian country with the lightest population density, it was funny seeing the 'capital cities' of the provinces. They were the equivalent of Chinese villages. Namtha and Oudomsay were uneventful.

In between cities, lots of small villages were seen as the truck whipped me up, down and around mountain corners, with the rural crowds looking pretty simple. Prabang was the nicest location of four cities, situated along the Mekong River, with traces of French influence (houses & bakeries). And Vientiane, as the capital of Laos and also situated along the Mekong, was … there (as the country capital I expected more).

One of my experiences, which might make other travelers point out in glee or awe, made me wince. I was on the banks of the Mekong in Vientiane, sipping my drink at one of the outdoor 'cafes', when a couple of Buddhist monks sat down nearby and ordered banana milkshakes. When the middle-aged man brought them their milkshakes he did so on his knees, with his head bowed to the ground and arms extended upwards, offering the mugs to them. The conversing monks took their refreshments. Such is the cultural heart of Laos and its people.

In sum, what I saw of Laos was 'laid-back' and unsophisticated. In the larger picture of my travels it was a nice beginning of de-compression from the pressures of China, and that's largely what I will remember it for.

Thailand

My entry into the Kingdom of Thailand started exactly the same way I left Laos: on a bus, with a food-seller on his knees in the face of Buddhist monks. Traveling without guidebooks throughout Southeast Asia, I was quick to learn 'the two laws of Thailand': (1) don't slander or criticize Buddhism in any way; and (2) don't slander or criticize the King in any way. And it's serious. It's understood that one stands risk of being beaten (by locals) and/or jailed (by the authorities) if you voice critique of either.

At this point in my travels I was in search of little more than some creature comfort, a beach and a bungalow. So I cut past North Thailand and went straight for Bangkok, the capital. Upon arrival, at two in the morning, I was surprised to see Bangkok so developed and functional. In the tourist center of Kao San Road, I checked into a $10 air-conditioned closet. I was just as surprised to see so many travelers, from all parts of the globe, in what was like an international meeting place. I had never seen anything like it in Asia.

Some travelers preferred to bypass Bangkok immediately, it resembling 'too much like home'. I guess you could say that's why I stayed for twelve days, soaking up the luxuries -- like being able to speak my own language -- the food, the music and the movies. It took me three days to make it off Kao San Road alone (a small strip of street).

Once I did leave Kao San I took a look at the hyped and thriving quasi-legal sex industry. Though Patpong, Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza are often spoken about, I found them annoying with their pressure tactics of pushing you inside their establishments and forcing you to buy drinks. Yes, there were many beautiful female (and fe-male) dancers / prostitutes / hostesses who filled the bars and overflowed into the streets, but how men could overcome rational resistance to engage in sexual intercourse with them was and is a feat I couldn't manage: an estimated 1,000,000+ HIV-infected individuals in a population of 60,000,000 -- ignoring all other STD statistics. Unreal. In more remote parts of the country, I had read a story that prostitutes were willing to have condom-less sex to encourage and entice male customers! That just makes me want to scream.

Also, I talked with two lady-boys who frequented Kao San and both said that since childhood they have known they are women (in men's bodies). Feminine in form and manner, the two had not undergone sex changes but had grown breasts with the aid of hormones. The physical 'female' results? With all time and energy devoted solely to their appearance, one was a 'cheesy imitation' and the other had enough style to be considered attractive. However, not to worry, I declined on the two 'girlfriend' offers.

Other than the creature comforts and international scene of Kao San Road, the only other lingering memory of Bangkok I have is of a delicious buffet dinner on the 77th floor of Thailand's highest building.

I bypassed the 'must-see Royal Palace' and all the city's religious temples dedicated to one of the great enslavers of Southeast Asia, Buddha. Why? There is a statement I think of often: "the individual is both King and God in a capitalist society." Applied here, I find the Thais are more than grateful to belittle themselves by externalizing concepts of virtue and greatness in both a King and a God (in this case, Buddha), alienating themselves from their own birthright. As I do not consider a policy of 'keep the soul small' a human ideal, I see the Thais praying to Buddha to help them from themselves. At this stage of my life, these are not ideas to fascinate me.

From Bangkok off to the southern islands I went, and this is where the appeal of Thailand comes into play for me. The island of Pha Ngan was my first stop, home of the now world famous Full Moon Parties. Give me my bungalow and soft sandy beaches, my crystal blue water and bright blue sky, my sunrise and sunset, my orange juice and French fries, my American History X and The Matrix, my dance floor and Trance music, and hundreds of beautiful bronzed European women, and I'll kick up my feet for two weeks with a smile on my face. The first 'beach scene' found by me since a 1993 trip to Maui, and I enjoyed it.

From Pha Ngan I crossed over land to the western shoreline to visit the town of Krabi, along with the islands of Phi Phi and Lanta in the midst of the Andaman Sea. Krabi was the first picture I had ever seen of Thai landscaping, and I just had to go see the limestone cliffs, islands and beaches. Phi Phi I did a day trip around multiple islands, snorkeling and swimming for hours. Lanta I rented a motorcycle and zoomed around the island till I was red from dust and sun exposure. The lightning storms were incredible on this island; one bolt of lightning actually struck the building I was in, and sparks shot out with an incredible BOOM! for the immediate accommodating thunder.

The Solitaire's Decade

Phi Phi and Lanta were also the turning point for me in a revived enthusiasm. For the first time I did a summary of my 20s decade, highlighting the main principles and achievements of my first decade of thinking. Called "The Solitaire's Decade, Principles and Precedents of the 1990s" it reads like this --

1989 -- University Year 1: Bankruptcy.

1990 -- The Summer of Awakening: Philosophy, Travel, Romantic Love. Nietzsche's Ecce Homo. The Hebrew concept of Nephesh takes root.

1991 -- University Year 2: The Mission -- the conscious choice to pursue uninhibited exploration and experimentation. The withdrawal from friends and family begins; I answer to no one except myself.

1992 -- I Dream in Infrared, LSD trials, an investigation of world philosophies, the resolve to travel the earth kickstarts monetary savings.

1993 -- Salis, Voltaire and the Enlightenment, the Apostate, Freedom through Discipline, a surge in self-confidence. Paper I (my first attempt at an organized worldview).

1994 -- The World Tour begins Year 1: a critical analysis and comparison of men's minds by means of their practical achievements -- Hebrew, Christian, Islamic, Hindu-Buddhist, Confucian, Socialist, Capitalist.

1995 -- World Tour Year 2: Paper II, the 'crisis in ethics' identified. Rand's Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. A new value system emerges -- the discovery and introductory definitions of an objective existence (metaphysics), reason (epistemology), ego (ethics), and laissez-faire capitalism (politics) -- united against altruism.

1996 -- The return to Canada Year 1: the Internet, a concept of God, a rage to order external reality to actualize ambition. Employment with the Federal government departments of Justice and Public Works.

1997 -- Canada Year 2: Resignation from Public Works, atheism declaration, the study-purchase-sell of stock exchange equities begins. Paper III (terminated; superceded by Precedents I ).

1998 -- Canada Year 3: the production of Precedents I (1970-1993), HTML web page design, convalescence and reconciliation.

1999 -- World Tour Year 3: Purity, Shanghai and ...

2000 -- World Tour Year 4: "I've done everything right (which does not mean I have not made errors). I'm exactly where I want to be."

And from this point on a momentum has been building to end the second stage of my travels, return to Canada, and begin flexing my mind in other endeavors, like establishing a profession and aggressively continuing with my investments.

Singapore & Malaysia

However, my Southeast Asian travels do not end here, so I'll briefly comment on Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

Singapore I've covered in a previous e-mail: "It's probably the most beautiful, peaceful and benevolent city I've laid my eyes on in three years of travel. True, my stay was short, but the planning of the city and its smooth working efficiency is obvious and undeniable. More beautiful than Hong Kong? Holistically -- yes. If it were a quiet-calmer environment I was wanting, with all the perks of a cultivated society, I would choose Singapore. It's smart, modern and safe -- not as aggressive in design as it's northern competitor. If it's intensity and drama wanting, it would be Hong Kong I would reside."

Imagine -- a city in Southeast Asia where they don't constantly honk their horns. Wow. Imagine -- a city where you don't eat chunky air particles all day from vehicle exhaust. Wow. Imagine -- a city where they don't throw every iota of garbage onto the ground. Wow. Imagine -- a people that don't wind up and spit goobers everywhere or have their finger up their nose to the second joint. Wow.

Imagine -- a population that doesn't need to justify every thing they do to a God and/or King. Wow. Imagine -- a progressively thinking population that has their act together and look smart doing it. Wow. Is this sounding like a John Lennon song? Well, that idyllic overtone (and not it's actual contents) of Lennon's Imagine could be applied to one of the 'little tigers' of east Asia -- beautiful, prosperous Singapore city. Long live the Chinese.

As for Malaysia and Indonesia … well, what more do I need to say about the Muslims that hasn't already been said? Too busy trying to define 'Muslim values' (after 1400 years) on a political scale to actually engage any constructive activity, for the most part existence simply slides on by, and political infrastructure consists of futile bickering over who is and who is not ultimately going to hell.

Islam in Southeast Asia is different from its Arabic-Indian counterparts though. It appears more flexible, tolerant and less hostile; leaving … well … Malaysia on a better foundation than many of the Arabic-Indian countries Islam has penetrated. A shining example of an increased level of stability and prosperity are the two massive minarets of Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers.

Built on the success of one of East Asia's largest oil and gas companies, inspired by the Five Pillars of Islam, these buildings certainly are an interesting twist of Islamic glorification; in technical achievement, rivaled only by the Ottoman Empire's incredible showcase city of Istanbul.

"Kuala Lumpur ... organizing my thoughts, catching up on paperwork, and planning my next leg of journey" - that is what occupied my time in Malaysia, and I sidestepped all other watered-down attractions in the country.

Indonesia

Indonesia, like Thailand, is largely for the landscape -- and animals -- rather than the native culture. In the beginning I traveled quickly through Indonesia. I started by leaving Singapore on a ferry for the eastern coast of Sumatra, followed by buses to Pekan Baru to Bukittinggi to Medan to Bukit Liwang.

In Liwang I stopped for two nights and visited with some old relatives of mine, the Orangutan ('man of the forest'). Located in a jungle reserve some 5000 Orangutans live in the wild, with more previously-held-captive being rehabilitated and released into the jungle to join their free companions. It was great to see them freely wander around and doing their own thing on their own sweet time.

From Liwang I took to Lake Toba. Imagine one of the largest volcanic craters in the world filled by water, forming a lake, and in the middle of the lake is an island larger than the city-state of Singapore. The place is immense, and you have to continue reminding yourself that you're in an old, collapsed volcanic crater because it's so huge. I rented a scooter and zipped around 40% of the island one afternoon, walking and pushing my cycle over collapsing wooden bridges to do so.

From Lake Toba I made my way southward again, back to Bukittinggi, crossing the equator line for my second time in a week. It was here that I caught the tail tremors of the 7.9 earthquake, which had its epicenter a couple of hundred kilometers southwest of me in the Indian Ocean. At first I had no idea the earthquake originated somewhere else; I thought it was a local minor tremor. It was only when I was browsing through Yahoo on the Internet two or so days later (in Jakarta) that I accidentally stumbled onto the 'top world news stories', and was shocked to find out the magnitude of the quake.

Traveling from Bukittinggi to Jakarta on an overnight bus the following day after the earthquake, I was suspicious of it being part of a larger seismic event. Parts of the mountain road were torn up pretty badly, but nobody had said anything of a 'big quake', so I casually shrugged off the small landslides and ripped up/collapsed highways as minor, typical of a (third world) mountain environment.

And I quote, 11:40pm of June 5, 2000 from my journal ...

"Just lived through my first earthquake. I was lying on my bed, reading my book, when my whole room started shaking and things outside clattering. I opened my balcony door, and saw streetlights, house lights flickering. I quickly dressed, put on my shoes, snapped up my money belt and camera and went downstairs to exit this four-story hotel.

It, the quake tremors, lasted for a couple minutes and then subsided. The hotel family was already on the street as were many neighbors. Ten minutes later, with all calm, I re-entered the hotel. The hotel owner says this happens often, sometimes several days in a row with small successive tremors. Living with an earthquake potential and a live volcano in your backyard, sheesh ..."

Once in Jakarta I immediately went to the zoo to view the Komodo lizards, or 'dragons', which kind of resembled crocodiles but without the jaws. Along with the Komodos, the zoo had some fascinating creatures -- many types of monkeys, colorful and peculiar birds, the Sumatra elephant and tiger, and a wicked 'flying fox'. The latter had the front half of what looked like a fox with six feet of bat wings attached to it. It was wild.

From the zoo I went to the docks to see the world's largest fleet of active sailing ships. Man, did I feel like a colonialist walking through that place with my camera -- hooowee! All the ships, I was told, came from the Sulawesi group of islands to the north of Java loaded with lumber. And it appears the ships, at least some of them, went back carrying cement powder.

During my wanderings I have strolled into a few extreme environments of poverty, but this is not the norm in Jakarta or the rest of Indonesia I've seen (islands of Sumatra/Java). Many people have decent (and some quite nice) houses to live in, in addition to food and clothing. In fact, the number of satellite dishes in this country has amazed me! And in Jakarta itself, beautiful estates with lush green lawns (and high steel gates) are on show, revealing wealthy locals.

While it is said that the 1997 (and beyond) 'economic crisis' has had a significant impact on the lives and lifestyles of people in Southeast Asia, it is still a definite step up from the widespread and grinding poverty of an India or Pakistan.

To provide further differentiation (and of particular interest to me), throughout Southeast Asia I have learned and seen that the (minority) Chinese population in each country earn a highly disproportionate amount of income -- because of their earthly values and industrious character -- compared to the (majority) locals of Thai, Malay and Indonesian. Here in Indonesia it's a major source of resentment.

And to compare cities -- Jakarta, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur do not inspire me like Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore do. While Jak-Bang-Lump are generally cleaner and more functional than Indo-Pak cities, Hong-Shang-Sing have a degree of sophistication and drama -- in philosophy, history and architecture (i.e., culture) -- that is more to my liking.

From Jakarta I took to Yogyakarta, in the center of Java Island, where I am today. After a brief visit to the nearby Merapi volcano, with its smoking peak and multiple lava vents, and then Bromo volcano (farther to the east), I will return to Jakarta and plan the next stage of my travel. Another visit to China (via Hong Kong), to observe and contemplate the Chinese with a fresh perspective? Perhaps.

Section II: Reason & Cultural Evolution

Introduction

"All organic beings are exposed to severe competition. Nothing is easier than to admit in words the truth of the universal struggle for life, or more difficult -- at least I have found it so -- than constantly to bear this conclusion in mind. Yet unless it be thoroughly engrained in the mind, I am convinced that the whole economy of nature, with every fact on distribution, rarity, abundance, extinction, and variation, will be dimly seen or quite misunderstood.

We behold the face of nature bright with gladness, we often see superabundance of food; we do not see, or we forget, that the birds which are idly singing around us mostly live on insects or seeds, and are thus constantly destroying life; or we forget how largely these songsters, or their eggs, or their nestlings, are destroyed by birds and beasts of prey. ... climate, food, residence, enemies or from competitors ...

In looking at nature, it is most necessary to keep the foregoing considerations always in mind -- never to forget that every single organic being around us may be said to be striving to the utmost to increase its numbers; that each lives by a struggle at some period in its life; that heavy destruction inevitably falls either on the young or old, during each generation or at recurrent intervals. (Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species )

What has all this -- my Southeast Asian touring -- amounted to? A more accurate picture of China and its neighbors. Of the entire Asian continent, Oriental values rule. And the Orientals consist of -- the Chinese, the Japanese, and the Koreans. They, along with the value systems of the Euro-Americans (western, northern and central Europe, Canada, The United States, Australia, New Zealand) and the Hebrews do ... and will … dominate the world.

What does this mean on a global scale? The evolution of humanity. And, extending that, perhaps the evolution of the human species itself.

I have now spent thirty-eight months overseas traveling from London to Athens, Damascus to Cairo, Istanbul to Islamabad, New Delhi to Lhasa, Beijing to Hong Kong, Bangkok to Jakarta. Statistically, the twenty-two countries I have glimpsed in my three decades of existence -- Canada, The United States of America, England, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia -- total about 40,732,936 sq. km, or 27.3 % of the earth's land surface (148,940,000 sq. km), and some 3.5 billion people, representing 57.4 % of the world's current 6.1 billion population.

Exposed to and experienced with a microscopic cross-section of many cultures and terrestrial environments, I have combined the observation of my travels with a general study of world philosophies and concepts. The following is an attempt by me to summarize my impressions of mankind, tying in previously expressed but random ideas into a more compact and integrated vision, and trying to resolve some long-standing issues in my philosophy while I do so.

As a preview of what I imagine will be larger and more defined summaries to follow (with cheaper computer use), I reserve the right to tweak and/or change my ideas in the future upon further evidence and/or experience (as usual). Here goes …

In 1995 I typed Paper II: The Constitutional Question -- A Crisis In Ethics , the theme of which was condensed into 1996's An Argument for the Existence of God . In these writings I presented a worldview of a multiple-foundation humanity on course for extinction, with an intervening God as the cure to settle the raging issue of "what and why is man?" -- which is manifested in radically different and conflicting philosophies / worldviews / cultures.

The following year I declared atheism, removing God from the picture, but the issue of a conflicting humanity with multiple foundations remained. Now I am beginning to understand and outline the resolution to the latter issue, along with its underlying and extended meanings.

During the course of my travels, I have come across folks who have suggested it should be naturally understood by me and others that the cultural value of the Hindu religion, or the 'earthly wisdom' of an African or Indonesian jungle tribe (as a couple of examples), is as much -- no, even more -- of an asset to humanity as is … say, all that the 'greedy, materialistic, shallow, and destructive' United States of America amounts to. And from all reaches of the globe individuals from different cultural backgrounds clamor, quite disgusted and dismayed, about the dominance of a few select cultures over numerous smaller ones. Many of these smaller cultures are being wholly assimilated, with some on the edge of extinction …

"'All is flux. Nothing stays still.' That 1990s-sounding sentiment comes from the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who died circa 480 BC Then, as now, groups of human beings shared practices and perspectives -- a culture -- that helped them make sense of themselves and the world. Then, as now, cultures never proved permanent. But cultural evolution, once a seemingly slow and spasmodic dance, now seems to be on a relentless sprint -- leading, some fear, to a McWorld devoid of all geographic variety." (National Geographic, www.nationalgeographic.com)

To where is the world heading and how do I see it as favorable to humanity's existence? To the displeasure of those who find the 'great truths' of Hinduism or tribal existence a superior cultural experience to living in Canada, America or Japan (as a couple of examples), I view the erosion of inept ideas and cultures as beneficial to the peace, happiness and prosperity -- perhaps even the survival -- of humanity.

What criteria do I use to determine 'inept' ideas and cultures? Reason.

Reason

DEFINITION: "Reason is the faculty of man which perceives, identifies and integrates the material -- i.e., data -- provided by his senses." (Ayn Rand)

At some indeterminate time in mankind's history, man began physically evolving a characteristic that differentiated him from other life forms on earth: his mind, with its advanced faculty of reason and ability of abstraction. Today it is the thinking man who has shown himself to be superior time and time again in all facets of existence, and who continues to thrive, establishing himself the world over.

Stepping back a moment to explain the way I see the course of past, present and future human development, I am going to comment on two periods of history -- one ancient and one modern -- in a short but widespread example of evolution: the Cambrian period of life's evolution on earth (biology's Big Bang, 543-500 million years ago) and the Internet's development (1990-2000).

"During the Cambrian period of earth, an enormous number of animals evolved in a relatively short amount of time. This sudden burst of diversity deserves attention," (source unknown) -- but so does the high extinction rate of life during this same period. With so many newly evolved life forms it was those that could progressively adapt to meet the ongoing challenges of their environment that thrived, and survived, long term. The others, who could not adapt, perished.

Compare the rise and growth of the Internet in its first extensive stage of commercial development, 1990-2000. In 1990, I think few people grasped the potential of the enormous wealth and number of companies to be spawned by the birth of the World Wide Web in such a short period of time, which reached a fitful market-orgy by the fall of 1998 and carried into 1999. After a 'bubble burst' in early 2000, the only place once high-flying -- but fundamentally weak -- Internet companies are being advertised now is on 'dot-com graveyard' websites.

Extending this creation-extinction pattern of evolution to humanity and highlighting the role of reason in man's development, after human beings spread out over the continents of the earth for tens of thousands of years, some 4000-5000 years ago scholars witness an explosion of identifiable cultures. A few of which I've had the opportunity to study up close during my travels (both extinct and living).

Rising up and out of hand-to-mouth existence, man -- in the generic sense -- has progressively been getting better at the process of thinking. So much so, to borrow a David Suzuki phrase, we've gone from "naked ape to super species" in a relatively short time. Some criteria used to differentiate modern man -- Homo sapien -- from his predecessors are: tool use, language and culture. I'll go one farther, for 'tool use, language and culture' are all derivatives of one attribute of the progressive man: his use and extension of reason.

"For some time before 5000 BC, the greatest revolution that the western world has ever known took place. It started in the Middle East and from there it spread over most of Europe: this revolution was the introduction of farming. It changed everything. It was the beginning of the modern world. Following game, a single nomadic family had needed many miles of land over which to roam in search of food; but for sowing crops and raising livestock, a few dozen acres were enough and food could be stored. Whereas up to this point in history, man had only been a figure in a landscape, now he began to dominate the land, controlling it and shaping it to his own purpose." (Edward Rutherford, Sarum )

"The Sumerians began keeping records by impressing cuneiform signs on clay tablets 5,000 years ago. … So powerful is writing that the beginnings of civilization and history are most often defined as the moment cultures develop it. Anthropologists can only paint outlines of ancient societies that had no writing; a written record provides the human details -- history, belief, names and dates, thought, and emotion. … No other invention has had a longer and greater impact." (Joel L. Swerdlow, The Power of Writing )

Man in the generic sense is one thing. It's when we look at specific groups of men and their respective cultures where differentiation and dominance kicks in. Now firmly in the world of the 21st century and the rise of 'globalization' -- or as I prefer to call it, cultural consolidation -- my take on cultural superiority and dominance is not a planned extinction of one culture against another, but a process of mankind's evolution with the emphasis on reason and rationality as the critical factor in flourishing. And this process of global change is not predominantly settled by means of physical force, but through idea-force, by means of an established world market and trading system.

"'Globalization' -- lots of people seem to think it means that the world is turning into some consumer colony of America. Coca-Cola, CNN, McDonald's, Levi's, Nikes -- if they haven't taken over the world yet, the feeling goes, they soon will. (Odd: Japan is the world's second largest economy, and yet I've never heard of anyone who buys Sony or eats sushi believing that it's part of some plot to turn the world into Japan.)" (Erla Zwingle, Globalization )

All Cultures Are Not Equal

Shifting to a more personal level to explain myself, when I review my journals of 1990 at the dawn of my inquiries I find these entries being more pro-North American Indian and anti-capitalist. But by 1997, in a letter to a Finnish friend (a precursor to this letter today), such sentiment had been firmly reversed. What I considered a controversial idea then, I agreed with the statement that all cultures are not equal.

The values of a capitalist society allow individuals to freely market, select and purchase the best ideas, services and tools from around the world to enhance the quality of their lives. By comparision, these values are of inestimable more worth than the tribal, mystic and concrete-bound values of traditional Indian culture -- a society that remains relatively small and changeless, bypassing adaptation.

I went on to write that if North American Indian culture is to survive much longer, in any form, the men and women of Indian descent have to learn how to constructively advertise and sell the values of their culture -- and I agreed there are some -- within the framework of a capitalist marketplace and legal system. To do this, they would have to individualize and learn to think for themselves, identifying unique aspects of their traditional culture which could differentiate them in a vast worldwide society and marketplace.

That said, I think the traditional North American Indian way of life will inevitably continue to decline in value and importance in the 21st century. Largely unable to create new life-enhancing values, there are better ideas and products to own, better services to buy, better lifestyles to live than what a traditional North American Indian has to offer. Thus, from an indifference to traditional Indian values by populations external to Indian societies, to an ongoing assimilation of foreign values by Indian individuals, both currents will lead to, in time, an extinction of their traditional culture.

The Significance of Ideas

"As old patterns make way for new, our thinking and our ways of life become more urban, more cosmopolitan, less diverse." (Source unknown)

'Less diverse', 'less variety' -- this is a common critique and gripe of a capitalist culture and globalization. Is this truly the way it is? Or is this just another smear against a highly abstract and spectacular culture misunderstood by shortsighted onlookers?

After traveling for thirty-eight months I will restate that my interest in all but a select group of cultures is minimal. Recalling a February 2000 statement -- "To put it bluntly, I'm getting bored with poverty -- and the key principles of the many philosophies that breed it."

In the initial days of my traveling, saturating myself with different cultural expressions, I admit I was taken by the appearances of a flourishing diversity. From the great mosques and palaces of Istanbul, to the pyramids and tombs of Egypt, to the ruins of once famous and prosperous cities of Palmyra, Perseopolis and Moenjodaro -- it was 'out of the ordinary,' different from the environments I was used to in Canada.

Come 1995 I began realizing things and making connections that changed my perception of that initial captivation. Today I am the opposite of popular opinion when it comes to the reality of modern society and globalization. I see infinitely more diversity and variety in present day capitalist society than at any other time in the history of mankind; further still, more diversity and variety in capitalist society than all ancient and other currently existing cultures and civilizations put together.

The more I traveled and studied the underlying ideas behind a number of existing world cultures, the more I realized that a lot of these cultures are the derivatives of the same simple and static philosophy. And there is the reason why our planet is not a 'first world globe'; these philosophies limit conceiving or producing anything more than what they already have to show for it -- for the most part, a subsistence environment. Not comprehending the significance of their ideas, people cling to concepts and worldviews that make for their poverty.

Again from my February 2000 letter, "Now approaching three years of world travel, I've come to see modern civilization in a new light from being able to 'travel back in time', to glimpse the rest of mankind in various stages of intellectual and societal evolution."

Spending lengthy periods of time with certain cultures I think I have soundly pierced though the smokescreen of 'cultural sophistication' bragged about in tourist offices and guidebooks. Call it spoiling the 'cultural experience', but I don't think so. It was truth I wanted to know, and it's truth I've attained. And the truth is, I wouldn't want to go 'back in time' to indefinitely live in these primitive or semi-primitive environments. And I think one would find the majority of wealthy travelers, when it really comes down to the crunch, passing up on a one-way ticket back to these places too.

In fact, when speaking to the locals, millions of them would jump at the chance of emigration (misunderstanding the source of their present ills) if they had the freedom and opportunity to do so. In effect, my Canadian passport is a time machine transporting and placing me on the razor's edge of the future. In many cases hundreds of years 'into the future'. In some cases thousands of years 'into the future'.

With superficial thought and effort modern civilization may appear 'less diverse' to many, but not to me. I would like to provide a wide range of examples of the astonishing universe that a capitalist culture has opened up before us to reveal limitless avenues of inquiry, exploration and adventure for the benefit of all individuals in earth's 227 countries … if they so chose to embrace it.

However, taking into account the multiple lifetimes and the exhausting task that would be, I have to be content to state that capitalist civilization -- by absorbing the best of all cultures -- has forever changed the face and course of humanity, and leave the documentation for individuals to compile by themselves. My present objective is only to identity and (briefly) introduce the advance of reason within mankind -- and its evolutionary consequences -- which I think is more than enough for one letter.

Friction & Physical Conflict

"What is so often missed in our attempts to solve our daily and long term problems is that many of us are dealing with a 21st century AD world with a 2000 BCE to 0 AD century philosophy. That kind of software is just plain outdated for the mechanics of today and tomorrow." (GJW)

That statement from an earlier letter of mine exposes a huge source of inter-personal conflict. Individuals the world over do not understand the evolutionary relationship of reason and philosophy to the creation and existence of a capitalist civilization and the current phenomena of globalization. The sooner they extend their knowledge it will be better for all. Such understanding will lesson the friction and conflict between individuals and cultures, as well as decrease the strain put on societal infrastructures to maintain regional and international stability.

However, while a piece of me imagines being smiley and cheery to say that this global transition is simply a competition of ideas and that people will not be hurt, that's being irrationally optimistic. As people are the fortresses and bastions of ideas, as rationality is a characteristic of individual men and women (not something over and above them), this is fundamentally a contest of individual human beings. And just as I resolutely will not go backwards in my idea-evolution, I understand all too well there are many who will resolutely not look and go forward in their thought, especially when it comes to philosophies of another world.

In some cases, like the larger context of Islam, if rational reform (like secularization) is not widely internally sponsored and supported the potential of a multinational war(s) is increasingly likely at some future date. Friction and physical conflict on many levels -- as the values and philosophy of dominant cultures penetrate and absorb populations -- is inevitable.

Section III: Reason, Individualism & Capitalism

Choosing Liberty

"If concern for human poverty and suffering were one's primary motive, one would seek to discover their cause. One would not fail to ask: Why did some nations develop, while others did not? Why have some nations achieved material abundance, while others have remained stagnant in subhuman misery? History and, specifically, the unprecedented prosperity-explosion of the nineteenth century, would give an immediate answer: capitalism is the only system that enables men to produce abundance -- and the key to capitalism is individual freedom." (Ayn Rand)

The 20th century, above all, has explicitly shown that centralized-totalitarian states and their planning are practically inferior to the agility of the freer individualist-capitalist states (with the moral superiority of capitalism still to be won). From this evolution of rationality, I see the continuing erosion of centralized-socialist policies -- with the same shortsighted reasoning as its withered predecessors -- in the future.

As both a cause and a consequence of this evolution in idea and action, if Canada and America do not reform domestic markets and government priorities they are going to be seriously kicked by the very globalization policies they have unleashed and endorsed.

The World Trade Organization, with its multi-lateral treaty system and dispute settlement procedures designed to simplify and stabilize trade, can override particular federal, provincial and municipal laws of countries "to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible" (World Trade Organization,www.wto.org).

As I agree with the WTO in principle, I see that the implications of what this mandate holds for the developed countries of the world -- like Canada and America -- are tremendous.

In the course of idea-evolution I think the World Trade Organization is one of the most abstract and universal organizations ever created by men. That said, it's way ahead of popular thinking.

Just as many in the world don't understand the depth of America's founding principles (man is an end in himself; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness) and revolutionary constitutional structure (for the protection of life, liberty and property), many Americans don't understand the same principles of their country's foundation extended to a World Trade Organization to secure and progressively free trade.

With most of mankind (including the citizens of developed countries) at various levels of philosophical development and not making the connections as to the logic behind the WTO, I think it's going to be another case of the few dragging the many -- with the many kicking and screaming all the way -- to a better, beautiful, more intelligent and freer world.

"To the many travelers who have expressed their profound dislike of America and Americans, I write: 'You say you don't like Americans, but you sure like all things American don't you? Now why don't you scoot along and go e-mail a friend or family member via the American-created Internet, the most brilliant technology-tool invented by mankind to date that enhances your freedom.'" (GJW)

In the globalization process I expect not only to see domestic market barriers gradually falling away with the implementation of free trade and the rule of law, but a lot of other changes resulting in a much purer and cleaner style of capitalism.

With our home governments protecting and subsidizing a huge range of domestic industry (which includes agriculture) from international competition by means of various trade barriers (examples: import restrictions like high customs duties and quotas, sector and corporation subsidies, foreign ownership limitations), the kind of restructuring that will have to be done to insure the existence and health of future competitiveness on home soil is going to significantly redefine the current relationship of individual to business to government.

North American governments, under increased international competition and scheduled with the World Trade Organization to dismantle protectionist policies (or face sanctions/fines), will have to restructure more along the lines of the laissez-faire model of capitalism. Which means, as one aspect of change and in the words of Alberta's Ralph Klein, 'it's government's business to stay out of business'. That is, government should be a referee, not a player, in the marketplace and society.

Largely as a result of the 'emergency measures' the governments of free nations took to 'right' the wrongs of previous market interference (The New Deal/The Great Depression), to fight the aggressors of two World Wars and then under the 'immanent threat' of a prolonged Cold War, we've been left with and riding too long on a 'mixed-economy', haphazardly advocating individual freedom and government control in the same breath, supporting inefficient and outdated practices, and burdening individuals with taxation.

Individualism

DEFINITION: "Individualism -- 1 a (1) a doctrine that the interests of the individual are or ought to be ethically paramount; also: conduct guided by such a doctrine (2) the conception that all values and rights originate in individuals. b: a theory maintaining the political and economic independence of the individual and stressing individual initiative, action and interests; also: conduct or practice guided by such a theory." (Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary)

"Individualism is founded on the theory of individual rights -- the linchpin of a capitalist politics. Individual rights are based upon "the premise that man is an end in himself, not the means to the ends of others, that man's life, his freedom, his happiness are his by inalienable right." Individual rights -- by cutting across criteria of racial-national-cultural background and gender -- identifies the smallest minority and most universal common denominator of a society from which to construct a just political system. In a capitalist politics the individual is elevated to the honor and right traditionally associated to a King, an Emperor or a God; all law and government function is orientated to the individual's protection.

It is in this light that a government's only legitimate purpose is for the protection of individual life, liberty and property. The underlying principles of individualism are: existence is objective (not subjective), reason is man's means of acquiring knowledge (not emotion, instinct or faith), man's body is his soul (he's not a ghost in a machine), with his earthly-fleshly-human life as the foundation and standard by which he is to choose his goals and values. In short, individualism is a philosophy of rational self-interest, a philosophy for living on earth." (GJW; Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged P985)

As industry protectionism is phased out over time -- revealed as a cause to inefficiency and price inflation -- another way I think international competition and the World Trade Organization will indirectly redefine North American society is through the eventual re-privatization of certain government departments and functions.

Why re-privatize them? To begin with, like industry protectionism will be phased out: government departments and programs are inefficient and therefore price inflating. Will re-privatization ever happen? Yes. How will this come about? Once the messes of industry protectionism are cleaned up, individuals are going to be able to see and concentrate on the role that government should play in society in a clearer light.

One department, in particular, interests me because of its relevance to the theme of this letter: education.

The Effects Of A Multiculturalism Policy
(all cultures are equal) in Education & Society

As the most important argument for a morally and practically superior private education sector, it is with the danger of a state education in mind that I will comment on and then extend the state's misconceived curriculum policy to its societal results. In doing this I will further my conviction that the world's cultures should not be considered -- or taught -- to be equal in value and that some cultures are superior to others for purpose of individual freedom, prosperity and happiness as well as peaceful human relations.

The largest peril to a free society with a public school system that promises 'an education for all' is "an education provided by the government is likely to reflect the beliefs and priorities of those in charge of the political system" (Gary Wolfram, The Threat to Independent Education). In an extremely diverse and multi-cultural Canada (and America) that is exactly what has happened.

In the course of the 19th and 20th centuries, due to the rise in popularity of erroneous altruistic socialist-communist-totalitarian thought, the importance and integrity of individualism -- with reason as its most valued principle -- has deteriorated. In the absence of sound reason, Canadian (and American) politicians -- while trying to manipulate a peace and prosperity for the cultural diversity of its citizens -- have come to paste over individualism with the concept of a 'cultural mosaic' …

DEFINITION: Multiculturalism -- "The Government of Canada recognizes the diversity of Canadians as regards race, national or ethnic origin, color and religion as a fundamental characteristic of Canadian society and is committed to a policy of multiculturalism, designed to preserve and enhance the multicultural heritage of Canadians, while working to achieve the equality of all Canadians in the economic, social, cultural and political life of Canada." (Canadian Multiculturalism Act, 1988)

"The ideal of multiculturalism in Canada poses two desirable outcomes: (1) the survival of ethnic origin groups and their cultures, and (2) to not only develop tolerance of but an appreciation and respect for other cultures -- acknowledging that there are many ways in which the world can be viewed and lived in; to promote an understanding of people from all cultures, despite language, religious beliefs, political and social views, or national origins." (Canadian Multiculturalism

"Multicultural education is defined by the American Educators' Encyclopedia (New York: Greenwood Press, 1991, revised edition) as "curricula designed to recognize the integrity, contributions, strengths, and viability of different cultural, language, and social groups in a society." Multiculturalism in Canada; compiled and edited by GJW)

Pretty words and intentions aside, 'multiculturalism' accentuates race-origin-color over reason and rationality as a human being's key characteristic and virtue. By doing so, it devalues the role and importance of reason in (1) an individual's life, and (2) human existence on a societal scale.

For advocating 'cultural equality' within a country is the micro equivalent of a humanity attempting to build a peaceful and prosperous world on radically different and conflicting foundations (philosophies / worldviews / cultures). It's outcome, like its macro reflection, is a humanity lost in a universe of moral ambiguity, creating a volatile and violent chasm within and between individuals of a society.

Within individuals : … Students are forced to recognize primitive and semi-primitive cultures as if they are on par with the magnificent theoretical architecture and practical achievement of an individualist-capitalist society. They are faced with the impossible task of reconciling these ancient-obsolete worldviews and ways of life with the values-skills required for understanding and enjoying the vast life-enhancing benefits of an advanced civilization.

During the course of grade school and college-university, squashed by the 'necessity' of I-feel-good-about-myself Oaxacan pottery and Javanese puppet-making courses, many students 'flower' into contradictory and fragmented adults while managing -- through no small feat of largely untaught but necessary reasoning -- to become extroverted masters.

Essentially, to advocate 'cultural equality' in a classroom setting is to teach no concrete perspective, no specific criteria, from which to judge data. For what constitutes the foundation to define 'value' and 'right' in one culture may be radically different and incompatible with the source of 'value' and 'right' in the worldview of another culture.

A public school system, in order to accommodate its faulty concept of multi-culturalism and not openly 'discriminate' against a particular culture, ends up being an environment that tries to teach a child everything under the sun -- but not too deeply! -- without an underlying philosophy -- i.e., a set of guiding principles or rules -- a definition of right and wrong -- to evaluate, organize and integrate the material he or she is learning.

Extending the results of this learning from one individual to a society consisting of tens and hundreds of millions of individuals, the most simple of issues in life can become a nightmare labyrinth.

Between individuals : … And so begins a chain of events that will be more familiar to us. Void of principles or rules to aid a student in learning and life, education is experienced as a monotonous and frustrating task of memorizing random superficial 'facts' -- or 'floating abstractions' -- that seem to bear no relation to reality or a student's life in the slightest.

With individuals unable to think in terms of principle -- i.e., to gain perspective, to establish context and decipher meaning -- person to person communications are strained, 'forced', less spontaneous and less friendly … or -- to compensate for that -- suffocatingly devoid of content.

Without a definition of right and wrong -- and its supporting evidence -- life in an increasingly abstract, highly competitive and sophisticated society is seen as vexing and/or meaningless.

At this point, without reason to bring people together, sparks and explosions of violent behavior begin erupting in society in the attempt to alleviate the pressures and frustrations of superficiality, misunderstanding and unintelligibility. These acts of violence, in turn, further bewilder individuals. And the larger the population, the greater the volatility and number of explosions.

In short -- with defective reason (cause) in their concept of man constituting the base of their politics, Canadian (and American) politicians have slowly nationalized schools (effect) and promoted 'multiculturalism' as an erroneous principle of curriculum (effect) to achieve unintended negative societal results (effect).

The attempt to rewrite and replace the foundation of an individualist society a century or two into its sky-scraping ascent with a 'cultural mosaic' in its political and education systems has disastrous consequences.

"As a philosophy, multiculturalism recognizes the equality of all people while celebrating their diverse, rich and distinct cultures. One of the visions that multiculturalism holds is the possibility of people from various cultures with different beliefs and histories living together peacefully. Within this diversity it is assumed everyone holds a common set of fundamental values, which ensures that all people are valued equally. This vision has noble intentions. However, historically, it has been difficult to uphold." (Canadian Multiculturalism)

-- Why? --

"Multiculturalism is racism in a politically correct guise. It holds that an individual's identity and personal worth are determined by ethnic-racial membership and that all cultures are of equal worth, regardless of their moral views or how they treat people. Multiculturalism holds that ethnic identity should be a central factor in educational and social policy decisions. One cannot teach students that their identity is determined by skin color and expect them to become colorblind. You cannot cure racism by emphasizing race. Multiculturalism would turn this country into a collection of separatist groups competing with each other for power." (The Ayn Rand Institute; compiled and edited by GJW)

The success and wealth of North America is not based on its 'ethnic-racial diversity'. Rather, it is the result of the commitment to and honor of an absolute and inviolate rationality by free individuals.

That said, this success and wealth is not package or part of a government stepping beyond its mandate to punish and tax models of rationality to subsidize examples of irrationality, primitivism and/or inefficiency -- be it of individual, business-industrial or cultural design.

Rationality is the beauty and largely unknown ideal of 'Western civilization', not a diversity of blood type or skin color. Rationality is what unites people in understanding, not primitive mystic or emotional haze. Rationality is the platform for personal distinction and respect, not ethnic-racial-ancestral roots and ties. And that, rationality, is my criteria of a superior culture.

The primary remedy for correcting both political structure and education curriculum is, of course, a strong injection of reason to stretch understanding. Actualizing reason, the practical remedy for education -- a privatized school system -- will not only free the minds of students from state hands but also phase out the watered down quality and chaotic content of public schools.

As desire and demand creates both service and product in a free society, parents will be able to select from numerous schools of the philosophical-cultural spectrum -- including (but not limited to) individualism -- to specify the underpinnings, or principles, of the curriculum their child will learn.

DEFINITION: "Pluralism -- 4 a: a state of society in which members of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, or social groups maintain an autonomous participation in and development of their traditional culture or special interest within the confines of a common civilization b : a concept, doctrine, or policy advocating this state." (Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary)

In other words -- morally and practically superior, the flexibility of a private school system is capable of offering (1) a diversity of mission that cannot be matched by large and bulky public schools, and (2) an intensified focus and curriculum to cultivate innovative and independent thinkers -- both of which contribute to the pluralism of and for a free and flourishing society.

Taught to reason -- i.e., to make the connections as to why things are the way they are (as well as what and how things are) -- individuals will find complex issues easier to understand and discuss, interpersonal communication to flow more smoothly and spontaneously, the pace of a 21st century environment less stressing and more enjoyable, and life in a sophisticated and superior capitalist society more meaningful and rewarding -- as it should be.

Phasing Out Government Interference

"When government -- in pursuit of good intentions -- tries to rearrange the economy, legislate morality, or help individuals or special interests, failure is the likely outcome. The costs come in inefficiency, lack of innovation and loss of freedom. A government is needed, but there are many things that the government has no business doing. As a result, government is doing its fundamental job poorly because it is devoting too much time and too many resources to business it shouldn't be involved with in the first place." (Source unknown)

"Although subsidies are initiated and justified in terms of benefits to the general public, they result in either a higher level of general taxation or higher prices for consumer goods. They may also encourage the preservation of inefficient producers." (Encylopaedia Britannica)

As a note to those who fear paying a greater expense for a privately owned school to teach and train their child, education services -- re-privatized in gradual steps and stages -- will eventually abide by the same rules of market competition that apply to companies in other areas of enterprise.

Competition will stimulate and drive private education companies to innovate -- since they cannot rely on taxed revenue to survive -- by improving teaching methods, curriculum content/perspective, and/or being able to produce quality services at a lower cost than their competitors (as a couple of examples). In addition to a company's reputation for quality service and product being of paramount importance to its success, men and women will have the aid of consumer reports provided by independent and private businesses to search for specific education services according to their budget.

In every which way a free-competitive-creative marketplace is something a government can never equal in quality, safety or efficiency as it creates nothing -- no service or product -- but a cumbersome and price-inflating middleman between pupil and teacher, patient and doctor, buyer and seller, consumer and producer.

Healthcare follows the same competition criteria and service/product assurance as above, but deserves a few side notes of its own. As this letter is for the advance of rationality on a global scale, individuals will learn to plan for and finance any medical fees they may experience in the course of their lifetime. To accomplish this end, people will learn to think long-range. To learn to think of their existence in totality -- to the best of their ability -- and not only in hourly or daily segments (a proper education being of help here).

In the case of the physically disabled (mind is but one aspect of the body) who cannot earn enough income to support themselves, these individuals are directed to and aided by reputable charities and relief organizations who are much better structured and competent to take care of them than any government department. 'Charities! -- but who will donate such humane aid in the midst of such egotistical shortsighted capitalist greed?' -- many will ask.

The answer: the same people who have donated lavishly in the past, setting records far surpassing any other culture on earth for charitable contributions and relief aid to numerous care organizations and research facilities, the most generous and humane group of people on the earth -- the thoughtful individuals of free -- i.e., (semi-) capitalist -- countries. In fact, as taxes are progressively reduced (read on), I predict individuals will become more generous to those who require aid and comfort.

As government departments re-privatize, I see ever more of the socialist leanings in our 'mixed economy' being discredited and discarded as inefficient (with moral grounds to be won after the fact). As a couple of examples, government sponsored welfare, unemployment insurance and public housing programs will be phased out over time. The logic here being the same as getting corporations and cultures off welfare: it encourages irrationality, inefficiency and a lack of self-responsibility. Individuals will learn to think and act for themselves -- becoming more capable, efficient thinkers and planners -- and subsequently reduce the illegitimate responsibilities of government and citizen.

The like of government pensions will be phased out too, with the aim of fulfilling current contracts. So, as example, after a specific cut-off date any individual who is 20-30 (+/- ?) years old today should not expect a government pension of any amount but think, plan and invest wisely for his/her own retirement. After the cutoff date of pension contributions throw in the option of a pension payout, and those 30-40-50+ can decide for themselves if they want a (small) government pension in the future, or to have their taxed cash returned to them to invest in other, potentially more lucrative ventures.

Taxes & Inflation

Continuing the domino effect of change, as individual-business/industrial-cultural subsidies and misleading protectionism policies are phased out -- saving tens of billions of dollars each year -- a government with a streamlined agenda and increased budget surpluses can intensify its efforts to reduce the national debt. On the heels of public debt reduction, governments will be met by fiercer demand for taxation cuts from citizens.

Inflation, caused by government interference in the marketplace -- that is, with individual liberties -- will be minimized; and competition will take care of the rest. Taxation, as one aspect of interference, is one of the most insidious ideas to choke a free society. Once the trend of taxation begins rolling it not only creates a new and aggressive government department (turning the constitution on its head and putting a country's citizens on the defensive), but multitudes of (what should be honorable) lawyers and accountants "to twist constitution as we would elastics" (GJW/Infrared ).

Once free to pursue opportunity and profit -- which indirectly benefits all through discovery and industry -- individuals become criminals if they do not properly document capital transactions for a monitoring government, stifling freedom of thought (idea) and expression (movement, interaction). Capital becomes locked behind walls, siphoned through back doors and driven underground to escape taxation.

Producing a ripple effect of fear and inefficiency throughout the marketplace and society, everyone must spend time and money to account for and potentially justify their actions. The fear creates hesitation and uncertainty. Hesitation and uncertainty breed inefficiency. Inefficiency causes price inflation. To absorb the expenses of the whole process -- from paperclips to prisons -- costs of goods and services rise to compensate. Who pays for all this? The individual, of course.

Now extend this to every type and instance of government interference. From taxation to setting and subsidizing prices to … -- it upsets the organic design and structure of free flowing checks and balances -- i.e., efficiencies -- of free individuals interacting and exchanging in a free marketplace and free society.

As if an ignorant and clumsy government could possibly replace the intelligence and resourcefulness of millions of free individuals, its schemes to 'simplify' and 'enrich' only serve to complicate and frustrate the lives of people.

The specter of a ballooning national debt is the grand testimony to all this interference and ultimate proof of the government's 'superior efficiency'. Creating inflation, and then trying to sit on and suppress it, it is of little wonder where inflation hides and explodes from … and what is the cure to neutralize it.

"As if paying in terms of liberty were not enough, individuals are monetarily taxed by the government to pay for taking away their liberty. With many North American residents actually demonstrating and campaigning for continued government protectionism and subsidies, it's another prime example of running to 'the poison as the cure.'" (GJW)

"Government interference with individual liberties creates criminal activity. As a few examples -- from attempts to out maneuver income taxation (tax evasion), to outlawing drugs (producing and trafficking), to import quotas (smuggling). For the most part, it is the law that is corrupt and not the populace. If we can chain the government and free trade, watch the prisons empty." (GJW)

Capitalist Constitution

From these reforms in practice and perspective, the role and importance of politicians in politics and our lives will dramatically erode. No more endless individuals, mini-cultures and businesses endlessly lobbying politicians for endless concessions, ending the perpetual 'civil war' of fighting for 'extra rights'. No more ' divide and rule ' campaigns.

As I define democracy as "an arena in which one shrewd thought devours another" (source unknown), I view the ultimate manifestation of democracy as the capitalist marketplace. In the future it will be the only place we go to vote for solutions to problems, the place we vote for competent problem solvers and leaders, bypassing the (government) middleman.

Where a politician tries to please everybody and satisfies nobody -- wasting precious taxed dollars by attending never-ending committee meetings trying to solve problems ("Hey, I know! We'll hire a contractor!") -- a reputable and successful businessman is the definition of rationality and efficiency, a man who gets things done.

What will we vote with? Our $$$ dollars $$$, of course. Where do we vote? Pick your store, business office or web page. From bricks and mortar -- 7-11, Wal-Mart, Sceptre Engineering, HMV, Prometheus Construction, Volkswagen, and Boeing -- to bits and bytes -- Alta Vista's shopping network, Dell Computer, Amazon, Priceline, and E-bay. What's your problem, or your fancy? Then have we got a product/service and deal for you …

In tandem with a 'democratic restructuring', it will be the courts -- not whimsy-pansy politicians -- that decide legal precedents and extended definitions of a country's individualist-capitalist constitution.

Federally, provincially and municipally, politicians as we know them today -- along with their annoying and time-consuming election processes -- will cease to exist.

Without having to 'solve the problems of the populace' and decide legislation politicians will be reduced to hired government employees doing what they should -- carrying out the limited but crucial mandate of the constitution to guarantee the rights of free individuals. Step by reasonable step, government will shed its bumbling illegitimate functions and despised bureaucracy to skillfully assume its legitimate (i.e., legal) foundation and scope …

"The only proper purpose of a government is to protect man's rights, which means: to protect him from physical violence. A proper government is only a policeman, acting as an agent of man's self-defense, and, as such, may resort to force only against those who start the use of force. The only proper functions of a government are: the police, to protect you from criminals; the army, to protect you from foreign invaders; and the courts, to protect your property and contracts from breach or fraud by others, to settle disputes by rational rules, according to objective law." (Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged P987)

Summary

To sum up: by no means exhaustive, this is a brief overview of the potential changes I see in North American society and the world at large. While some of these changes may not be realized for decades to come, my point -- and one theme of this letter -- is to encourage men and women to become more (consistently) thoughtful and self-responsible individuals.

For it is my conviction that in the presence of reason, capitalist culture (i.e., freedom) and globalization the days of people getting by with practices and perspectives that are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years old -- at the expense of reason and rationality -- are numbered.

What Europe intensified hundreds of years ago was suspended for most of the 20th century to resolve a fundamental and vicious conflict in the philosophy of its constituent parts. Now in the next phase of a multi-level integration, with Europe's finest and greatest work -- The United States of America -- at the forefront, it's time to accelerate the Enlightenment and liberation of mankind.

China & SouthEast Asia

"Linguists predict half of the 6,700 languages spoken today will be extinct within the next century, and say at least 100 are down to one native speaker. … More often, languages die because of the influence of more common languages such as Chinese, English or Swahili, a process aided by modern communications technology and easy transportation." (Source unknown)

Emphasizing the advance of globalization and my above-stated convictions, now that the Orientals (in particular, 1.3 billion Chinese) are joining humanity and exercising their minds, I expect the process of cultural consolidation to pick up with renewed force and vigor.

As I have voiced to other travelers, I think that the Chinese -- in comparison to their Southeast Asian neighbors -- are the most capable in understanding and achieving the concept of 'greatness'. With their extended history (dynasties regularly stretching 200-300-400 years), vast cultural depth and influence (all surrounding nations paid tribute to China for centuries), and underlying rational foundation (Confucian emphasis of man on earth) -- the Lao, Thai, Malay, and Indonesians just don't measure up.

Forward Thoughts on Evolution

In 1994, while in Istanbul, I remember an American youth saying, "Evolution is finished, at least from a biological point of view." In the year 2000 I reply "Quite the opposite, evolution on this earth has not slowed down or stopped but sped up a million fold on all fronts -- especially cultural and biological (genetically manipulated plants and animals) evolution. With biology posing to surpass physics as the spectacular science of the 21st century."

[End of Part I. Continuing with the idea of evolution, I view it as imperative that reason-individualism-capitalism is accepted by humanity worldwide -- the sooner the better. In the future I am going to venture into the consequences of (1) a delayed cultural consolidation of mankind, and (2) a consolidated mankind -- exploring what each means for other life forms on earth and the earth itself as a biosphere. Within the framework of the latter, a consolidated mankind, I will extend my vision of man (a creator) and humanity (a civilization of messiahs) into my concept of a naturalistic universe.]

Section IV: Kudos & Closing Comments

At this point, I want to briefly acknowledge the four major family-friend influences in my life -- particularly this last decade. Having reached what I think to be a milestone in my thoughts and plans, I extend kudos to …

To Papa I say: From observing your earthly and abstract dexterity, I cannot think of another man I have met who has flourished in such a diverse cross-section of life. I am always amazed at what and how much you have built, cultivated and taught -- demanding the most exact specifications for every inch of the way. It is your sense of mission, perseverance and strength that is and will be my success. Thank you Papa.

To Nana I say: Starting with ice cream pails and toys you introduced me to the concept of order. It's fascinated and delighted me ever since. As a central principle of your character it underlies everything I am and strive to be. Then you told me always to keep my eye on the ball and to always follow my swing through -- both pieces of sage advice in discipline have served me well. As I shift from theory to practical execution the ball is exactly where I want it to be. And in your understanding and encouraging presence my playful imagination could soar to endless heights unimpeded; that is the vast open universe I see before me today. Thank you Nana.

To Nana & Papa both I say: In addition to being models that helped to mold my character and to paraphrase Margaret Mitchell: as the great drama of life has unfolded before me and been acted out on stage, it is you who have been my front row audience. Thank you forever for listening to and supporting me in my quest for truth and during the growth of my ideas.

To my mother I say: From the coolest toys, slickest clothes and hippest music, to my first paychecks, to my first glimpses of international travel, to the literature of Ayn Rand -- providing both material and peace of mind, you have always been there for me. You have consoled me throughout my life just by existing, to know you were and are there. Though some might argue the point, including you, I doubt there is a more benevolent person on this earth. Thank you for being one of my greatest allies, my friend, my mom.

To my father I say: From the three cultural backgrounds I grew up in and with, to the experience of travel and mobility I became accustomed to as a child, to the long history of freedom I have always been provided with to pursue play, inquiry and experimentation -- it is you who have set the broad and diverse parameters of my life that has made my decade of discovery and success possible. Developing into an adult who is cultured, traveled and very free you have watched my twists, turns and stumbles -- picking me up and dusting me off from early bumps and recent bruises when I needed the help. Thank you Dad.

And to all who know me and will read this letter: This last decade has been a tremendous adventure for me, both within and without (but especially within). For most of this time I have exerted a 'totalitarian' character in the various environments I have found myself in. Some, I think, have seen this more than others.

Such personality was formed by a strong sense of mission to rationalize the world around me. To successfully achieve that end, early on and through the years of my idea growth-transition, I thought it was best to minimize external influences, maintain silence and go my own way. Having now developed the criteria I sought with which to interpret and engage the world, I look forward to realizing my ideas and to become a more communicative and interactive person while doing so.

Welcome to the dawn of my second decade of thinking and writing. Where do I go from here? Are my world travels over after this tour? A part of me tends to think this is just the beginning. After all, this is a time of globalization, right? If professional aspirations don't lead me to desirable overseas options, then the third stage of my travels will be spread out over many future years and will consist predominantly of first world territories, especially Europe and North America.

Future Considerations

In closing, this section is for interested males. I'll call it 'future considerations' …

What have the ladies been like in East and Southeast Asia? In China, amazing. Getting just as many looks as a man may give, physically beautiful women abound everywhere. You really do need three or four sets of eyes to keep up. If only one could speak the language fluently, you could have a different girlfriend for every hour of the day … well, * ahem * assuming anybody would want that.

In Laos, it wasn't until Prabang and Vientiane that (physically) beautiful women surfaced, but in lesser numbers. Memories here include being praised at how 'handsome' I was as well as housewives hooting and whistling when I walked by their windows.

In Thailand, as pretty as some of the girls were, I met more European women than Thai women. Malaysia had some petite darlings, but on the average they were more conservative with Muslim belief and head coverings.

Indonesia surprised me from day one, with 18-25 year old girls running up to me practically stumbling over themselves, throwing praise and flattery to no end, and strongly suggesting that they are available for marriage. Perhaps to explain this behavior in part, I've heard it said Indy girls will absolutely not have sex before marriage, so they don't feel intimidated in any way to speak with males, local or foreign.

After a month here, the smiles, giggles, waves, and questions haven't lessened up at all. This is unheard of by me in any other Muslim environment. ("What?! Atheist? You're not even Buddhist?!!" -- one Muslim girl exclaimed.)

Stay tuned for further developments.