[1059] Cargo Cult Chinaware

Based on a forum post I read some time ago.

• Sandra: Cargo cult chinaware.
• Woo: Excuse me?

• Sandra: Cargo cults developed on multiple islands in the Pacific in the first half of the last century. Western armies set up military bases there and introduced isolated peoples to manufactured goods, or "cargo".

• Sandra: After the military personnel left, the native tribes implemented superstitious rituals that mimicked the behavior of the foreigners. Of course the desired cargo never materialized.

• Woo: I see. But what has that to do with chinaware?
• Sandra: Very much like fake airports won't bring cargo, fake traditions won't bring meaningful relationships.

• Sandra: These people bought "family china" and other useless crap in an attempt to "create" traditions. They viewed traditions as something you can buy, rather than something substantive, like shared experiences or at least a shared past.

• Sandra: They bought this expensive tableware solely for the purpose of passing it down to their children, keeping it in a cabinet so that it doesn't get "ruined". Its use didn't matter to them, only what it represented.

• Sandra: Later, they were shocked when their children showed no emotional attachment to these things. Reading them bedtime stories would have been a much better "investment""! These people weren't evil, but terrible role models nonetheless. We can be better!

• Woo: Excuse me, but I need some cute raccoon kits now.
• Sandra: That's the spirit!