"Culture is your operating system" - Terrence Mckenna

As we explore the world and/or meet people from our different cultures, it becomes clear that the social, religious, political, educational, familial programming has such a powerful imprint on the way the collective mind of the people is directed, developed and moulded. Meeting lots of people from other cultures has really helped me to reflect on the cultural myths and social propaganda I've grown up with here in Australia. Being so geographically isolated and surrounded by a constant thudding media noise of Australian patriotism through the media does make it hard to get out of our operating system and think globally, or at least for ourselves. It's very interesting to see how foreigners have their customs that they cling to so tightly without question, and how we too, have our own.

I feel that if I can understand the world beyond Australia, this will free me up to be more empowered in my own life, to be more understanding of people, to know where I can actually make a difference, and to be a better influence on my own friends here in my home land.

To what length do social norms and cultural customs serve us? What about fears of being 'different' in public, or about being a little extroverted in countries that preach modesty? Are we limited by culture or does it empower our identity? How does it serve us and how does it limit us?

What about people who travel or research a great deal and soak up the culture of the world at large? Are they upgrading their personal operating system to a perspective that frees them from racism, discrimination, gullibility and patriotism-without-question?