Jared Diamond: Why US Machismo Fails in New Guinea

Scientist and author Jared Diamond shares how America's "macho" conception of manhood differs from other cultures around the world.

[medstud]

Are you responding to someone or just having a cyber monologue responding to yourself? Relax, stop using caps, and watch the video again because I think you missed the point in your feminist fervor. Machismo does denote something, and the man was talking about how it doesn't exist in its American general definition in New Guinea due to concrete reasons that have to do with daily life. Where is the controversy?

[Whoo]

Bravery IS a prerequisite for ANY society that wants to last, as the people there must protect themselves from outside invaders, violent criminals within the society itself, etc., but one NEED NOT be "manly" (narrowly defined) in order to DEFEND HIS PEOPLE and country when it's in danger.

[Whoo]

ANYONE of any gender and sex can and should have some level of bravery just in case. Or at least try to be ready for those trying times and get stronger with experience (in more ways than one)

The New Guinean- esp. in Sambia- view of "what it means to be a man" is, frankly, a little sickening. They teach their young boys early on that MEN MUST BE ALMOST WHOLLY SEPARATE FROM THEIR WIVES, as if THEY'RE NOT REALLY MARRIED... except as a "proper" way to have kids and not be shamed.

[Whoo]

Like, WHY do you as elder men (and/or women) feel the NEED to teach future generations for millennia to come "what it means to be a man/woman" and STRICTLY ENFORCE THAT VIEW? WHO CARES... Let them BE THEIR OWN PERSONS! Let THEM define who they are. Otherwise, you're just gonna wreck their lives by forcing them to be something they're not all b/c it MAKES YOU UNCOMFORTABLE TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

[Whoo]

respect, but some cultures ARE more moral and/or 'better' in certain respects than others. Cultural anthropology DOES help us put things in perspective when it's needed, but it could ALSO be described as JUST ANOTHER ABSURD FORM OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS.