Name and Country |
In your opinion what is the main difference between Aboriginal and Western society? |
| Aaron Lewis from USA |
They get the big picture and we don't |
| Adam from Australia |
Dude that's a crazy question. My crazy answer? Western society is happy to force their beliefs and will onto others Aboriginal society happy to be happy. |
| Anonymous |
Attitude Western society truly focuses on YOU YOU being educated to find a well paying job YOU having to perform in order to survive YOU buying that big house nice car latest designer clothes or computer game. Just seems that everyone is too focused on themselves that they loose sight of the bigger picture of what truly matters being a good human being. They find it too easy to turn that blind eye when someone needs help too easy to ignore the problems that arise in the world and would rather focus on the latest Celebrity fad Diet on TV... That is one of the differences between the two cultures the attitude. |
| Anonymous from USA |
Aboriginal - culture family and communion with nature. Western - progress expansion personal freedom. |
| Anonymous |
The west emphasises progress and the aboriginal society emphasises traditional values and lifestyle. |
| Anonymous |
None |
| Ariella Trotti from Italy |
The first answer I 've given |
| Audrey from USA |
Our backgrounds are so different and the culture that has developed because of that is hard to compare. However way back both of us lived in a hostile world and found a way to exist. Now we both live in a modern society that often tries to go the "cheap " way rather than authentic |
| Bart Boogaard from Netherlands |
The inner and outer world are completely turned around. west developed the outer while the aborigine developed the inner. |
| Betsy Sauther from USA |
Westerners lack harmony with our natural world and lack cultural practices that support individuals within villages/neighborhoods. |
| Bill Hollingworth from Australia |
The main difference as I see it is lack of respect on the part of aboriginal men (and I am a man) for their women. |
| Bob from USA |
Western society values personal achievements and "things" as apposed to Aboriginal society that places emphasis on relationships and belief systems. |
| Brent Shifley from USA |
The Aboriginal people are not hurried and respect all creatures in Nature as they are Westerners focus on an assigned dollar worth to each creature. |
| Brian James from United Kingdom |
The Aboriginal people live in harmony with nature they respect and protect it and preserve it for the future generations. The West have forgotten when you chop down the last tree and poison the last river that you can't eat money. |
| Anonymous |
Westerners destroy the Earth whereas Aboriginal people cherish it. |
| Célio Melek from Brazil |
Na minha opinião o povo indigena é um povo muito sabio no convivio uns com os outro e sempre buscam viver em total armonia com o todo.Bem diferente do povo ocidental que so pensa em si proprio |
| Crid Jack from France |
First of all I think it is the power game that is semi-present most of the time in the western society. It leads to few people being in control of the others. Whilst the Aboriginal people tend to be free and intend good will for other people. It seems like the Aboriginal have found inner peace and outer truth as our Western society has governments and religions to teach us what we can or cannot do and keep us in fear. |
| Anonymous |
The aboriginals are closer to the earth respect it and want to preserve it. |
| Dana from Canada |
We live in a very materialistic fast paced society that does not pay any attention to the land and all it has to offer. We have lost the "respect" for earth and people in general. |
| Anonymous from Canada |
Western society does not recognize life beyond the 3d physical world whereas the Aboriginal culture has a system for accessing the subtle worlds |
| David from Australia |
A lot |
| David from USA |
Western society seeks to conquer nature. Aboriginals seek to live as part of it. |
| Deborah from USA |
Don't know |
| Diamantina from USA |
The disconnection to natural life; its natural rhythms and all its creatures. |
| Dianna from USA |
Aboriginals are one with the land while western society abuses the land. |
| Dionisio from Spain |
How your past make that they know the people and the world at the actually times |
| Anonymous |
Cultures |
| Anonymous |
There is a huge difference in consciousness and perception of the world. |
| Drew from Canada |
Ignorance |
| Eddie from USA |
Standard of living. |
| Erik Putnam from USA |
Aboriginal peoples tend to Appreciate every thing on a personal level even if it's not good. Western society tends to blissfully trash all available resources then move on to the next resource. |
| Anonymous from United Kingdom |
Generally speaking people in western society have lost their connection with the land |
| Gabriel Flores from USA |
The main difference in my opinion is that the Aboriginal society has the ability to sit back and watch the world go by yet enjoy every second of it. Western society is fast paced and lacks the intimacy that the Aboriginal culture can enjoy weather if it's through art music or the social aspect of the culture. The western society is far to pressed to get things done. When really all they need to do is sit back and let things happen. The Aborigines have lasted so long because they choose not to poke into the fast paced lifestyle. They stick with their virtues which is something many westerners should learn. |
| Gabriel Florez from USA |
The fact that on one side the Aboriginal society has an intimate connection with nature and with life and death. While on the other side Western society lives a two faced life. We live for the moment and for instant pleasure. All the while trying to convince people that we have strong religious and family values that steer us in life and help us navigate away from the evils we face. On one side the Aborigines are real to who they are. While westerners as a whole live in shadows of who they wish they are. |
| Garry from Australia |
The lifestyle. |
| Gary from USA |
Ability to keep their heritage alive. |
| George from Cyprus |
Aboriginal society lives in harmony with nature western society doesn't. |
| Graham from New Zealand |
Lack of appropriate education and the freedom to gain an education |
| Gregg Nardozza from USA |
Deep set tradition and ritual. |
| Anonymous from Germany |
Low number of people connection to nature linguistic diversity |
| Anonymous |
Respect nature |
| Harry from Australia |
The aborigine is more spiritual than most Westerns and we could learn a lot from them |
| Anonymous from Netherlands |
Aboriginals are more handsome |
| Jack from Antarctica |
I'm not exactly well-versed in the Aboriginal culture but in my opinion the difference lies in values. What is important or 'sacred' to the Western societies is at odds to those of the Aboriginal cultures. |
| Anonymous from South Africa |
Aboriginal societies help and support each other doesn't matter if you are family or not but the westerns doesn't want to help even their own family |
| Anonymous |
The lifestyle and culture. |
| James from Canada |
Appreciation for life and the supernatural. |
| James from USA |
Again I should study up more on their ways... as a lover of nature and the world around me that is in dire need of salvation |
| Anonymous from USA |
Tribal and more communal. |
| Jeff from USA |
Aboriginals value the natural western values the material |
| Anonymous from USA |
Opportunity |
| Jeffrey from USA |
Basic World view. |
| Jessica from USA |
The way our cultural backgrounds are in our lives. |
| Jim from USA |
Same as above comments. |
| Anonymous |
Working with and tending to the earth vs. looting pillaging and taking what we want from the earth |
| Anonymous |
Aboriginal people are deep rooted in tribal customs and traditions. They live off the land as opposed to exploiting it. |
| Kirsty Edwards from USA |
Aboriginal society focuses on the enclosed social boundaries as well as the need to keep culture intact resisting the changes that come with technology and western society. |
| Anonymous |
Respect for tradition!! |
| Lionel Mouesca from France |
Two chromosomes. |
| Anonymous |
Aborigine live naturally western society has a lot of stuff that makes them forget about the beauty of the world itself |
| Mark from USA |
Connections with the cycles pulses and webs of our earth. |
| Mark from USA |
Culture |
| Mathieu from Canada |
Western society seems to be disconnected from culture and nature. We also don't have the same respect for elderly people. |
| Anonymous |
Aboriginal society has been damaged/destroyed by the west while the west has been enriched by aboriginal society |
| Matthew Neenan from USA |
Community and a sense of responsibility |
| Michelle Brough from USA |
Generally speaking Western society has a disconnect from nature. |
| Mike Meyer from Israel |
Western society is much more made-up and shaped by humans rather than by nature |
| Nick from USA |
A respect for the world around them - western society takes mother nature for granted abusing and destroying the land seas and air for their short term benefit. I think the Aboriginal people respect the earth the wildlife and the plant life far more than us and we can learn a lot about the fine balance of the natural world from them. |
| Anonymous |
Westerners think owning land is important. |
| Anonymous |
They are people of the earth |
| Peter from New Zealand |
- the goal-posts! |
| Phil Weiler from USA |
I don't know that I'm qualified to offer an opinion on this question. I have not had an opportunity to interact with Aboriginal peoples. |
| Pierre from Canada |
I am truly fascinated by elements that set us apart. |
| Randal Wilson from USA |
The concept of entitlement/ ownership over natural things. i.e Land flora Fauna water etc... |
| Robert Kennedy from USA |
The mentality and boundaries that define society: Westerners define society as a specific mind-set that fosters radical growth but rarely preserves tradition; whereas Aboriginals seek to honor the exact specifications sometimes at the expense of progressiveness. |
| Roberta Hobson from Canada |
Western society only sees the "box" they are in Aboriginal Society refuses to see the Box and can sense the spiritual body and world around them more readily |
| Robin from USA |
History |
| Roger from USA |
THey seem to have a true love for their land and culture. while we plunder and profit not caring about the outcome.ie...BP oil spill |
| Roger from USA |
This is a three or four part question. If you mean traditional Aboriginal Society (or my interpretation of it): A society that is more in harmony with their environment dependent on practitioners of "shamanism" or "spirit walkers" "medicine people" or however you want to classify it to interpret directions for their society to survive and thrive in the world where individual must sacrifice for the good of the collective vs consumerism aligned with either agnosticism or fundamentalism. If you mean the partially assimilated culture: not much both cultures are disconnected and not knowing of where they come from and here they are headed to. If you mean the idealized Aboriginal Culture: They are completely in tune with Nature and we are completely disconnected from Nature and headed for destruction. Obviously this question is really complicated. There has to be more than an individual sacrificing all for the good of the many and just being in nature unchanged for eternity and something less than the almighty individual at all costs to the whole. This I think is the real "Question of Balance" and our lives to paraphrase The Moody Blues. |
| Ronald Ballard from USA |
There's is called primitive |
| Samantha Davis from Australia |
Age old discriminations+indifferences |
| Sanford Webb from USA |
The West no longer sees the Earth as a viable living thing that should be treated with respect. |
| Anonymous from USA |
Aboriginal society is so ancient... and it seems to me and my limited perspective that it is more in alignment with the earth. Western society is consuming a fire out of control. Not in alignment. |
| Anonymous |
Aboriginal limited advanced in technologies where Western society has lost touch of original culture and technologies. |
| Sean Jackson from USA |
Size of population |
| Shawn from USA |
The Aboriginal culture and traditions are ancient and Western culture and traditions are still very young. |
| Anonymous from USA |
Greed |
| Steve from United Kingdom |
The main difference is the connection with the landscape and natural environment. Urban Westerners have almost completely lost this bond and fondness for the natural lifestyle. |
| Stuart Sills from Australia |
Western society is mainly concerned with capatilism. Aboriginal people are concerned about existence and their culture. |
| Sundeep from USA |
Respect. I think western society needs to relearn the concept of Respect. |
| Thomas from Germany |
They Know what they do |
| Timur Paltuyev from Kazakhstan |
Sense of the life |
| Tommi from Finland |
Something to do with communities how people are grouped. |
| Troy from Canada |
Education |
| Wayne from Australia |
Culture religion and the natural living way of life of the two societies. |
