World Literature Blog 4/5

The facet of current interest culture that most interests me is the phenomenon known as “Baliwood,” the huge film industry centered in Bombay.  This industry spews out more movies than any other in the world, and its ticket sales are the highest as well.  For some reason, movies have ingrained themselves as a large part in the culture of India, becoming a very important part of their lives, which most people would probably think are traditional and provincial.  Another interesting part of the Indian film industry is their ties with the mob, which are shady to say the least. 

from wikipedia:

 Mahatma Gandhi derived great moral strength from Bhagavad gita, which is evident in his words:

“The Geeta is the universal mother. I find a solace in the Bhagavadgeeta that I miss even in the Sermon on the Mount. When disappointment stares me in the face and all alone I see not one ray of light, I go back to the Bhagavad Gita. I find a verse here and a verse there, and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming tragedies - and my life has been full of external tragedies - and if they have left no visible or indelible scar on me, I owe it all to the teaching of Bhagavad Gita.”

How did the militaristic, empiristic attitude of Roman culture affect its literature?

Despite the horrific events of WWII, if I could travel through both time and space, I would go to Germany in the 1930’s.  Yes, I know.  You think I’m a Nazi, but I promise, I’m not.  Obviously, that is the time period when Hitler came to power, but that is exactly the point.  Hitler’s reign represents the ultimate example of the failure of human reason.  The issues of mob mentality, mind control, and the placement of government power could be studied in this unique time with the gift of foresight, and would be invaluable in making sure the atrocities of that period are never revisited, as well as making an interesting study in the fundamentals of the human psyche and how it can be manipulated.  It would not be a journey that would be particularly enjoyable, but if I was looking for an enjoyable trip, I would have just gone to the Bahamas in the present day.  Choosing this turning point in world history offers the opportunity to truly make in impact on human existence for ages to come, and that is an opportunity that cannot be passed up.