What's so wrong with being insular?

Question

Why is it an unspoken assumption that cosmopolitanism is better than insularity? I prefer the idea of a self-contained community or culture to one that is merely a part of some greater whole. I don't want to live in a global village. Isn't it nicer for your cultural referents to be closer to you, rather than far away and rather alien? Isn't it somehow more dignified? Why are people called narrow-minded for preferring the close to the far away? I wish every culture, nation and community was more insular.

Answer 1

Well, I think your question is valid and I would say this...it is impossible for someone who, for example, characterizes himself/herself as "American" when you consider the following:

White Americans alone are a mixed bag of Europeans having spoken many languages and having many distinct cultures. Most people who characterize themselves as Americans, although white, are mixed. Then throw in the indigenous Americans, the Africans, the lopsided trade deficit that brings just about everything in America from another country, the freeflowing immigration situation (where immigrants can settle in any community in the USA because of anti-discrimination laws)...and so on and so on.

This is the issue that presents itself when an American speaks of being insular.

Answer 2

Then stay insular, get off the world wide web for a start.

Answer 3

this is usually where i rant about me being liberal and all that but you strike a good point

i see it as some days im shy and dont wanna integrate with anyone (hangover days )

and some days i wanna hug everyone i see and be super friendly (drinking days)

but i think you strike a damn good point. however what if i dont like one of these groups, does that make me xenophobic?

Answer 4

nothing , its your choice at the end of the day..

i click with people who live far away from me , who I have known for years. So it's nice to know people all around the place..

xtcam .. congrats.. wheres me cigar ya tight wad.hehe