The Cultural Curtain

Abstract

The introduction of technical change into non- Western cultures has, in the past, been done rather hap hazardly. Even when the motivation for such efforts has been completely humanitarian, the effects are frequently unfortu nate. At times it is impossible to introduce changes because of cultural resistance; on other occasions an "improvement" in a culture has had disastrous ramifications because neither the values of the culture nor the relationship of the environ ment were considered. It is possible, however, to overcome the difficulties presented by cultural differences. Careful study of a culture is needed; this must include a consideration of motivations, values, the symbolic significance of even seem ingly unimportant acts, and a consideration also of all of the dangers inherent in the disturbance of the delicate balance be tween a culture and its local environment. Such study can result in the introduction of technological improvement which neither destroys the culture it is designed to improve nor opens up a Pandora's box of dangerous secondary results.—Ed.