Ancient Futures

4 Pages 1081 Words

In a world of constant change and development, it is rare to come across a civilization that still operates in the same fashion as it once did in what is commonly named the “pre-technology” age. Helena Norberg-Hodge did just that as she dedicated a significant portion of her life to examining the main arteries that supported the vivacity of an amazing group of people called the Ladakhis. Unfortunately, during her stay, Norberg-Hodge witnessed the growth of the malignant tumor that is Western influence, and this would eventually be the downfall of the life structure she learned to admire from Ladakh. It can be easily determined that the appearance of and reaction due to scheduled time contributed significantly, if not completely, to the reconstruction of Ladakhi customs, beliefs, etc. Furthermore, specific text references will aptly serve as support for the notion that this decay can be pin-pointed to the aforementioned.

For all intents and purposes, Norberg-Hodge intends to relay the message that this gradual shift toward more Western culture will prove the ill fate of Ladakh. Again and again, she makes clear cut arguments in her text that reveal her aggravated tone and discontent with what she is witnessing happen. At times, the reader can even gain a sense of sorrow or regret as the author can better understand what is happening, due to her past experiences with Western life.

It is important to establish the condition of life in Ladakh as common knowledge, otherwise any changes go unnoticed; this is simple common sense. “Life in Ladakh is dictated by the seasons,” Norberg-Hodge explains in the opening chapter (11). “Animals play a central role in the economy… they provide dung, the main fuel, as well as transport, labor, wool, and milk.” (13) Simply put, the Ladakhi nation can be compared to a “Little Tibet,” as the title of Chapter One is named. Many other factors of life, aside from the presence of ...