Thursday, January 22, 2009

Convergence, not Pax Americana



A remarkable picture, from a satellite streaking at 17,000 mph, 423 miles above Barack Obama’s Inauguration, clearly shows countless people clustered on the Mall in Washington D.C. observing the historic proceedings.

We have become used to seeing grand man-made structures from space. Until this photo, we had not seen man himself from that new frontier. Individually, he is too small, too visually insignificant to be seen from such a lofty perspective. Now, the power of people, converged into masses of thousands, united in a single purpose, focussed in the same direction, becomes palpably evident.

Barack Obama is at the center of that convergence. He is an embodiment of ethnic and cultural convergence.

(Photo by Maya Soetoro-Ng Published in the New York Times
President Obama hugged his half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, at her December 2003 wedding to Konrad Ng, third from right, in Hawaii. From left, his daughters, Sasha and Malia; his grandmother Madelyne Dunham, seated; Konrad’s parents, Joan and Howard Ng, and brother Perry Ng; and Michelle Obama)

His message is one of convergence. His political manifesto emphasizes convergence. His inaugural speech stressed that theme.

He assumes the Presidency at a time when the major thrust of technology is towards convergence. Witness the dominance of smart phones and networked computers, cameras and other peripherals that are designed for the convergence of several functions and ideas. That satellite photo of the crowds on the Mall represents the first time NASA released such a picture, to link their technology with that of the news media for enhanced coverage of a live event.

Globalization has represented an attempt at convergence, but its scope has been limited to commercial enterprises.

Now the world’s attention is turning to political and cultural convergence. The European Union is one result.

Nations, races, religions have often talked about and fought over, domination, cooperation and acceptance, but have always feared assimilation, or the concept of a “melting pot” and have not been comfortable with the idea of plurality.

Perhaps under leadership such as Obama’s we are finally going to come up with a new, successful paradigm for peaceful coexistence (remember that ‘60’s term?), cooperation and productivity. I think the concept of convergence will be paramount in the new order.

10 comments:

Pak Idrus said...

Louis, anyone looking from space at that moment in time would just see a speck of dust. It is the same if we see a speck of dust here on earth. It could contain something alive. Just like planet earth at that moment in time.

Yes planet earth was in a moment of history at that time when Obama took that oath of office as the 44th President of the US. I believe at that brief moment in time billion of earthling from all over the world stood still to watch that historic moment. I do not believe there was any other time in the world history that folks gather just to watch one man take an oath, with such high hopes.

For Obama it was his destiny to give leadership to world at this difficult time in its history. I believe that he has the capacity and the ability to give true leadership to the world. It not going to be easy. Even his simple swearing ceremony did had a hic-up, what! with the world's problems now.

I believe he is put there for a purpose and as an optimist I believe he would in some ways change the world. Yes He Can.

Have a nice day.

louis said...

Hi Idrus,

For the first time in eight years many of us felt good about our world.

Now it's up to all of us to prove we can make a difference for good.

Hjh Nazli Abbas said...

Thank you for sharing the photo by Maya Soetoro-Ng.It shows the melting pot that is - African, Caucasian, Indonesian, Chinese - that make up the Obama family. Sure sign of peaceful coexistence!

louis said...

That picture more accurately shows the true face of America than the stereotype seen in the movies and on tv till now.

JALAN REBUNG said...

hi louis,

Thanks for sharing the satellite pic. What a view ....

As for the new president, almost everybody is talking about the positive changes and hopefully it will materialized soon.

rizal

louis said...

It's very interesting to get your perspective of our new President and Administration, Rizal.

It appears, to no one's surprise, that the hijacked Republican Party is playing the part of Obstructionist, not Opposition, which would have been a respectable role.

Guanaguanare said...

Louis, now that I have read your posts for this year, I think that I owe it to my harassed soul to continue visiting your blog. You are almost tempting me to be more optimistic. I am a doubting Thomas so I must continue to be watchful but this space that you have created is a special one. Thank you for "Las Posadas" - A beautiful song sung beautifully.
Blessings to you and yours.

louis said...

Guanaguanare,

Thanks for taking the time to read my posts, and for your compliment.

I have read your response to my comment on your blog, and I look forward to dialog.

Arima said...

Louis
Hadn't seen this picture before, and what a story it tells. (I wish I could get the type on my blog to be as readable as yours!)

louis said...

One way to get the font larger would be to switch your blog host, then I could advise you, Ric :)

But seriously: there should be a way to do that in the Layout tab of your application.

About Me

My photo
Seattle, United States

Blog Archive