Hey guys. I`ve been recently thinking a lot about the continent and its future. I`d love to know what you think of Africa`s future in a cultural, technological, political and what not sense. Share your knowledge and even the lack thereof and lets have a conversation about the continent from which every 5th person on earth will come from in the not so distant future
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In my opinion the era of European and American influence has begun to fade away, the future of the globe lies in Asia and Africa and potentially South America, yes, the continent will definitely prove itself as a political, technological and cultural hub when the time comes.
In my opinion the era of European and American influence has begun to fade away, the future of the globe lies in Asia and Africa and potentially South America, yes, the continent will definitely prove itself as a political, technological and cultural hub when the time comes.
@TheLOVERofMachines thanks for sharing.
I recently read a piece by a Ghanian lecturer who pointed out some differences between how "Africans" embraced the colonial powers culturally, whereas the Indians (for example) deeply rejected their culture and in a sense stayed true to their culture. A fact that echoes up to the current times in language religion and even the local quizine amongst others. I think there has been a deep disconnect to ones "true" identity or at least ones history, which is also a problem the "west" faces. I think the time of blaming colonial powers is long past, however proper education about ones past is also key to knowing where one is coming and thus defining where one should be heading.
As for technology, no doubt the minds exist in great numbers locally and abroad, and I cant speak for others, but I would love to move back to my home country in the not too distant future and think the value to be gained is beyond money. That being said, I also believe politics has to create an attractive environment just the way companies like google, meta and the leading hedge funds create attractive environments in one way or another to be a magnet to their target groups. Rwanda is a great example for this, but their history is special and also one shouldn`t underestimate their economies deep connection to the exploitation of the neighbouring mines in Congo.
One thing I do not believe is that there is such a thing as a time to come, when it comes to emancipation in the aspects mentioned. I think the time was yesterday, is now and will be tomorrow. It is always time to emancipate.
In my home country, our president has been in power for more than 40 years now. The guy is 92 and is lying in a hospital in Belgium and still wants to partake in the upcoming elections this year. The guy is a true workaholic 😃
As for Asia, my knowledge is limited to what is reported in the news, but I`m happy to hear your thoughts.
Επεξεργάστηκε από τον/την Fyuuj .
@TheLOVERofMachines thanks for sharing.
I recently read a piece by a Ghanian lecturer who pointed out some differences between how "Africans" embraced the colonial powers culturally, whereas the Indians (for example) deeply rejected their culture and in a sense stayed true to their culture. A fact that echoes up to the current times in language religion and even the local quizine amongst others. I think there has been a deep disconnect to ones "true" identity or at least ones history, which is also a problem the "west" faces. I think the time of blaming colonial powers is long past, however proper education about ones past is also key to knowing where one is coming and thus defining where one should be heading.
As for technology, no doubt the minds exist in great numbers locally and abroad, and I cant speak for others, but I would love to move back to my home country in the not too distant future and think the value to be gained is beyond money. That being said, I also believe politics has to create an attractive environment just the way companies like google, meta and the leading hedge funds create attractive environments in one way or another to be a magnet to their target groups. Rwanda is a great example for this, but their history is special and also one shouldn`t underestimate their economies deep connection to the exploitation of the neighbouring mines in Congo.
One thing I do not believe is that there is such a thing as a time to come, when it comes to emancipation in the aspects mentioned. I think the time was yesterday, is now and will be tomorrow. It is always time to emancipate.
In my home country, our president has been in power for more than 40 years now. The guy is 92 and is lying in a hospital in Belgium and still wants to partake in the upcoming elections this year. The guy is a true workaholic 😃
As for Asia, my knowledge is limited to what is reported in the news, but I`m happy to hear your thoughts.
I am going to be honest here; you see Indians are actively rejecting their own culture (in fact being patriotic here is rare except on the independence and republic day) in fact it is the dream of 1 in 3 Indians to settle in a north American or European country, NO. British influence can still be seen today in many parts of the country.
My domain of knowledge when it comes to hubs in Africa and German politics remains limited so I would not comment on that.
In Asia we have the ever-violent middle East and Israel quiet South-East Asia and central Asia, Pakistan getting bullied after trying to beat India, A juggernaut in the form of China and the protested Korea and Taiwan.
So, the pattern is that the Muslim countries keep starting fights and provoke other countries into it.
I am going to be honest here; you see Indians are actively rejecting their own culture (in fact being patriotic here is rare except on the independence and republic day) in fact it is the dream of 1 in 3 Indians to settle in a north American or European country, NO. British influence can still be seen today in many parts of the country.
I understand, but I do not think seeking education or career opportunities abroad necessarily opposes cultural integrity. What I was referring to are thinks like the fact that during my uni days, whenever studying a subject, I would always find a YouTube video in Tamil or Hindu on the topic, which I always admired. Also I think the portion of Christians in India is neglectable, whereas in many pars of Africa, the story of the imaginary white boy on a stick was completely adopted and brought to a whole new level. The fact that people adopt the faith of humans that portraited some of the most evil characteristics of mankind never fails to make me smile. I think one can and even should seek knowledge from abroad, but the ultimate end goal should be utilizing that knowledge to create self sustaining value back home.
Another more modern example comes from the architectural field. I was doing some research on construction methods and materials and stumbled upon stabilized mud blocks, which have a variety of beneficial properties. When you look at buildings constructed by the diaspora back in Africa, the motto seems to be bigger is better, whereas when researching architectural designs from India, you would often find a cultural continuity in the design language. SMBs are perceived as inferior. That with which our great grand parents built houses is combined with other materials to satisfy todays demands and yet people perceive it as inferior. I read some research papers on the material and guess where the professors who wrote them are/where from? ( India 😃 ). That is cultural integrity (thumbs up)
This are the things I mean, when speaking of cultural integrity.
My domain of knowledge when it comes to hubs in Africa and German politics remains limited so I would not comment on that.
In Asia we have the ever-violent middle East and Israel quiet South-East Asia and central Asia, Pakistan getting bullied after trying to beat India, A juggernaut in the form of China and the protested Korea and Taiwan.
By Asia, I was referring to the major manufacturing/exporting countries and here the demographic shift tells the story. I remember when the working conditions in Chinese production companies where making international headlines. I think if there is something the world has in abundance, it is suffering. However, there is suffering that aims at reducing suffering and there is suffering with no goal at all. The difference between both is defined by the legislator and I think India, China amongst others belong to the former, whereas most African countries fall in the later (although one most say that the gears seem to be slowly speeding up).
Something I was thinking about today: There exist a multitude of multinational African organisations, such as ECOWAS, AfCTA and so on. The agriculture sector of Africa is significant to the continents future (there is a reason Bill is investing in this sector). Today Africas annual export to the EU are approx. 155 Billion/ano, with the transportation costs (sea mostly) making up approx. 7%. We know that trade between the EU and Africa will rise. A railway from Nigeria through Niger, Mali, Algeria, Morocco to Spain would not only reduce transportation cost by approx. 20% and lower the cardon footprint, it would also increase the amount of goods that qualify for export, as transportation time would be reduced from 14-21 days down to 5-10 days. Create the conditions and the market will follow. I see no reason why such projects can not be thought of given the multitude of international organisations.
A person like Aliko Dangote has the financial strength to force the government to follow his lead, Until his company built the oil refinery, Nigeria was exporting crude oil and importing the refined products for higher amounts, forcing the government to subsidize petrol. Dangote cleverly saw the absurdity in this and decided to build a refinery. something no-one thought could be pulled off in Africa. Guess where a great deal of the engineers he worked with came from? (India 😃 ). Although this was clearly a win for Nigeria, he still faced headwind, as the project would cut off a bunch of leaking pockets. Most African banks would never finance such a project. This too is a part of cultural integrity. The will to invest in true value creation within ones country.
So, the pattern is that the Muslim countries keep starting fights and provoke other countries into it.
I`d rather not comment on this part, as I`d like to stick to the topic.
Επεξεργάστηκε από τον/την Fyuuj .
I understand, but I do not think seeking education or career opportunities abroad necessarily opposes cultural integrity. What I was referring to are thinks like the fact that during my uni days, whenever studying a subject, I would always find a YouTube video in Tamil or Hindu on the topic, which I always admired. Also I think the portion of Christians in India is neglectable, whereas in many pars of Africa, the story of the imaginary white boy on a stick was completely adopted and brought to a whole new level. The fact that people adopt the faith of humans that portraited some of the most evil characteristics of mankind never fails to make me smile. I think one can and even should seek knowledge from abroad, but the ultimate end goal should be utilizing that knowledge to create self sustaining value back home.
Another more modern example comes from the architectural field. I was doing some research on construction methods and materials and stumbled upon stabilized mud blocks, which have a variety of beneficial properties. When you look at buildings constructed by the diaspora back in Africa, the motto seems to be bigger is better, whereas when researching architectural designs from India, you would often find a cultural continuity in the design language. SMBs are perceived as inferior. That with which our great grand parents built houses is combined with other materials to satisfy todays demands and yet people perceive it as inferior. I read some research papers on the material and guess where the professors who wrote them are/where from? ( India 😃 ). That is cultural integrity (thumbs up)
This are the things I mean, when speaking of cultural integrity.
By Asia, I was referring to the major manufacturing/exporting countries and here the demographic shift tells the story. I remember when the working conditions in Chinese production companies where making international headlines. I think if there is something the world has in abundance, it is suffering. However, there is suffering that aims at reducing suffering and there is suffering with no goal at all. The difference between both is defined by the legislator and I think India, China amongst others belong to the former, whereas most African countries fall in the later (although one most say that the gears seem to be slowly speeding up).
Something I was thinking about today: There exist a multitude of multinational African organisations, such as ECOWAS, AfCTA and so on. The agriculture sector of Africa is significant to the continents future (there is a reason Bill is investing in this sector). Today Africas annual export to the EU are approx. 155 Billion/ano, with the transportation costs (sea mostly) making up approx. 7%. We know that trade between the EU and Africa will rise. A railway from Nigeria through Niger, Mali, Algeria, Morocco to Spain would not only reduce transportation cost by approx. 20% and lower the cardon footprint, it would also increase the amount of goods that qualify for export, as transportation time would be reduced from 14-21 days down to 5-10 days. Create the conditions and the market will follow. I see no reason why such projects can not be thought of given the multitude of international organisations.
A person like Aliko Dangote has the financial strength to force the government to follow his lead, Until his company built the oil refinery, Nigeria was exporting crude oil and importing the refined products for higher amounts, forcing the government to subsidize petrol. Dangote cleverly saw the absurdity in this and decided to build a refinery. something no-one thought could be pulled off in Africa. Guess where a great deal of the engineers he worked with came from? (India 😃 ). Although this was clearly a win for Nigeria, he still faced headwind, as the project would cut off a bunch of leaking pockets. Most African banks would never finance such a project. This too is a part of cultural integrity. The will to invest in true value creation within ones country.
I`d rather not comment on this part, as I`d like to stick to the topic.
Well said and you have proved the unspoken truth that at this point Chinese and Indians brains rule the globe, India is well on track to become a superpower by 2050, but until then India remains the largest exporter of brains in the world, for Indians are too smart. Yes, outsourcing knowledge is indeed necessary for each country, and I am convinced that a great brain is all it takes to redefine a nation for the years to come, in your country it was the likes of Hitler which almost brought the globe to Germany (I feel that people only view war and genocide as Hitler's regime, but they often neglect the development ordered by him such as the Autobahn and the foundation of the German economy. If he had been more compassionate and not biased towards other races, he would have been the best leader ever. I don't patronize him but feel that he is not often credited for his role in modern Germany).
No, the portion of Christians in India is not very small, remember the population here is huge so even a small percentage is a lot of people in practice. In Africa the people have clung to their culture and that might be holding them back for it is very important to accept the new changes, for example the only reason that Japan became a superpower during the Meiji regime was because they accepted the findings of the west while India and China rejected them and faded away with time. During the Meiji regime the government modernized Japan with new technologies from Europe, such foresight is very essential for development, In Africa some countries have begun this transformation while most have not and until they develop an outlook it is not possible. In India this outlook was created by our late ex-PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and later on by our current PM Narendra Modi although some credit goes to many visionaries too. Infact by 2030 we shall overtake Germany to become the world's third largest economy.
Hey guys. I`ve been recently thinking a lot about the continent and its future. I`d love to know what you think of Africa`s future in a cultural, technological, political and what not sense. Share your knowledge and even the lack thereof and lets have a conversation about the continent from which every 5th person on earth will come from in the not so distant future
For the last two decades, I have had the privilege to travel quite extensively for both work and leisure in various parts of Africa. It is a continent of extremes. I currently lack the time to contribute to this thread in a more substantive manner. However, the most mesmerizing views of nature that I have seen in my life were all rooted on African soil. Nothing beats floating in a mokoro in the Okavango Delta or enjoying a sundowner (or two) in Moremi NP. Savuti is heaven on earth and numerous other places compete for the second place. Natural splendour in abundance!
For the last two decades, I have had the privilege to travel quite extensively for both work and leisure in various parts of Africa. It is a continent of extremes. I currently lack the time to contribute to this thread in a more substantive manner. However, the most mesmerizing views of nature that I have seen in my life were all rooted on African soil. Nothing beats floating in a mokoro in the Okavango Delta or enjoying a sundowner (or two) in Moremi NP. Savuti is heaven on earth and numerous other places compete for the second place. Natural splendour in abundance!
Well said and you have proved the unspoken truth that at this point Chinese and Indians brains rule the globe, India is well on track to become a superpower by 2050, but until then India remains the largest exporter of brains in the world, for Indians are too smart. Yes, outsourcing knowledge is indeed necessary for each country, and I am convinced that a great brain is all it takes to redefine a nation for the years to come, in your country it was the likes of Hitler which almost brought the globe to Germany (I feel that people only view war and genocide as Hitler's regime, but they often neglect the development ordered by him such as the Autobahn and the foundation of the German economy. If he had been more compassionate and not biased towards other races, he would have been the best leader ever. I don't patronize him but feel that he is not often credited for his role in modern Germany).No, the portion of Christians in India is not very small, remember the population here is huge so even a small percentage is a lot of people in practice. In Africa the people have clung to their culture and that might be holding them back for it is very important to accept the new changes, for example the only reason that Japan became a superpower during the Meiji regime was because they accepted the findings of the west while India and China rejected them and faded away with time. During the Meiji regime the government modernized Japan with new technologies from Europe, such foresight is very essential for development, In Africa some countries have begun this transformation while most have not and until they develop an outlook it is not possible. In India this outlook was created by our late ex-PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and later on by our current PM Narendra Modi although some credit goes to many visionaries too. Infact by 2030 we shall overtake Germany to become the world's third largest economy.
Hey Savi. I envy you. Ill by flying back home this year for the first time in 20 years. Absolutely looking forward to it.
Well said and you have proved the unspoken truth that at this point Chinese and Indians brains rule the globe, India is well on track to become a superpower by 2050, but until then India remains the largest exporter of brains in the world, for Indians are too smart. Yes, outsourcing knowledge is indeed necessary for each country, and I am convinced that a great brain is all it takes to redefine a nation for the years to come, in your country it was the likes of Hitler which almost brought the globe to Germany (I feel that people only view war and genocide as Hitler's regime, but they often neglect the development ordered by him such as the Autobahn and the foundation of the German economy. If he had been more compassionate and not biased towards other races, he would have been the best leader ever. I don't patronize him but feel that he is not often credited for his role in modern Germany).
Thanks for the input. All I am willing to comment on this is, you seem to have deeply misunderstood what I said.
No, the portion of Christians in India is not very small, remember the population here is huge so even a small percentage is a lot of people in practice. In Africa the people have clung to their culture and that might be holding them back for it is very important to accept the new changes, for example the only reason that Japan became a superpower during the Meiji regime was because they accepted the findings of the west while India and China rejected them and faded away with time. During the Meiji regime the government modernized Japan with new technologies from Europe, such foresight is very essential for development, In Africa some countries have begun this transformation while most have not and until they develop an outlook it is not possible. In India this outlook was created by our late ex-PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and later on by our current PM Narendra Modi although some credit goes to many visionaries too. In fact by 2030 we shall overtake Germany to become the world's third largest economy.
"Amount" is an absolute term, whereas "portion" is a relative term AFAIK the potion of Christians in India is approx. 2.5%. China fading away is, I think, an oversimplification of what happened. You can look into what led to the opium crisis and judging if China really was inferior trade wise. As for the statement regarding the development of (only) some African countries, keep in mind three things.
1. Current Rate of change: The current technological situation makes intelligent and fast moving decision making feasible
2. spill over effects: Most countries face similar problems, so once solutions are found, it is easy to adapt them to other countries
3. We are still comparing 2 Countries to 54
As for India's economic growth outlook. I am sure you will surpass Germany. And if you are clever, you will learn from the challenges China is currently facing in terms of demographic shift, as you will face the same even more intensely in a not to far future.
Επεξεργάστηκε από τον/την Fyuuj .
I can't say anything about the future of Africa, but I think I can say something about the past. Look at the outlines of Africa and South America on the map - it seems to me that they used to be one continent, it was torn into two parts and pulled away from each other. Try cutting out Africa or South America and putting them next to each other - in my opinion, they will exactly match along the coastlines.
I can't say anything about the future of Africa, but I think I can say something about the past. Look at the outlines of Africa and South America on the map - it seems to me that they used to be one continent, it was torn into two parts and pulled away from each other. Try cutting out Africa or South America and putting them next to each other - in my opinion, they will exactly match along the coastlines.
Hey Lirra-N. You are absolutely right. It is a well known fact that the two continents were once connected long before nature had even started working on the human design.