High and Low culture

The globalization of low culture is not a problem. People are simply bored with their own popular culture, food or language, and seek out broader perspectives in a world riddled with free press and mutual consequence. Broader networks of communication and information have thinned national borders, but they have also helped preserve and embolden our high culture. Perhaps by sharing our menial traditions with the rest of the world, we keep our higher culture sacred and precious. Chinese religion and philosophy is not the first thing that comes to the average American’s mind when they think China. Mayan temples aren’t the hottest spot for MTV’s Mexican spring break tour. Dostoevsky is translated into every language, and those who have had the pleasure of experiencing his writing find themselves more in touch with postmodern Russian culture than if they drank a fifth of Popov vodka. The assimilation of low culture should be embraced to reduce national(ist) differences and put us more in touch with the way other societies live. It also helps us grasp and protect our high culture and preserve cultural autonomy.