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Pico Iyer's Where Worlds Collide

1272 Words6 Pages

Each person has their own unique culmination of experiences that make up their life. These experiences are the knowledge basis for one’s perceptions and therefore, affects how they interact with others and the world in numerous ways. A person’s background influences the way they view their own capabilities, future, and education as well as how they perceive other cultures. As a result, one’s cultural background and experiences predominantly affects how they view the world. A person’s past experiences affects how they see a certain place or culture. The essay “Where Worlds Collide” by Pico Iyer is an example of people leaving their homeland and coming to Los Angeles because of the ideas they have developed based on stereotypes they have learned. …show more content…

For instance, in the novel excerpt “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan, there are multiple examples of how one’s previous experiences shape and alter their perception of their abilities and talents. The character Waverly becomes known as “‘Chinatown’s Littlest Chinese Chess Champion” due to her success in numerous chess competitions, and from these previous accomplishments becomes arrogant and pretentious (Tan, 21). This attitude and self reflection can be seen in her statement “you aren’t a genius like me,” implying not only that she thinks highly of her intelligence but she believes her intelligence is greater than her peers (Tan, 23). Without her past success and acclaim from those around her she would not have the confidence and ego she does. In opposition to Waverly, the character Jing-Mei has experienced repeated rejection and failure in her attempt to become a prodigy and finally comes to the decision that“I could only be me,” and any attempt at developing new skills or talents was futile (Tan, 24). So, it is because of her past experiences of continuous defeat that she bases her perception of her self worth and capabilities. While in some cases, one may respond in the complete opposition of Jing-Mei, continuing to persevere in spite of their failures, they still draw on the previous experiences they’ve had, utilizing them as an inspiration or a learning

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In the short story, "Where Worlds Collide", by Pico Iyer, one's background affects his or her perception of a given situation to the amount of experience they have. For example, "...with the maps their cousins have drawn for them and the images they've brought over from Cops and Terminator 2; they come out, dazed, disoriented...," reveals that, because they don't have much background information on their location their perception of the situation is confusing. It will cost them $16 if they lose their parking ticket, they read; around them is unending cacophony: anti theft devices, sirens, and car-door

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Growing up under both the influence of his parents’ Mexican culture and his own experience of a more modern California, Richard Rodriguez seemed to have the best of both worlds. His Mexican lifestyle was the way of tradition and cynicism, and his California lifestyle was the way of defiance and optimism. However, as he writes in his book Days of Obligation, this clash between cultures only conflicted his feelings. Rodriguez’s acknowledgement of the age and the religion of California and Mexico allows himself to explore his identity struggle. With the big age difference between Mexico and California, Rodriguez finds himself facing the paradox of Mexican rigidity or California novelty.

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Culture plays a large role on how someone views others and the world. Some things that can affect some one’s perspective are their childhood, past experiences, and their ethnic background. In “An Indian Father’s Plea” by Robert Lake, Wind-Wolf’s father, Medicine Grizzly Bear, explains why his child isn’t a slow learner, and that he is just different from the other children in an educational way. He say’s this because his son has been taught differently than the other children- because of his Indian culture.

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In The Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell emphasizes that success is achieved by external forces in which certain individuals are granted particular opportunities and advantages that not everybody is given by destiny. What is the meaning of success? In general, success means to have a goal set in mind, have a plan to accomplish a goal, work hard and achieve it. Commonly, achieving success is a process that requires time, effort, and dedication in order to accomplish it. Success might have different meanings to everyone; therefore there is no right or wrong answer.

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Culture has an impact on your outlook and views of the

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Imagine if your past was filled with tragic events/memories. Do you think you would still be the same person you are today? In “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe and “I Stand Here Ironing” by Tillie Olsen contain characters with a tragic past. Although both stories contained characters with a devastating past each story’s had a different outcome on their identity development. In “The Raven” the narrator has lost someone very close to him leading him to go insane.

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Moving throw places looking for a better tomorrow, I found myself in San Francisco, a prospering and innovative city located in Northern California. A city of multicultural neighborhoods and diverse populations. The home of Europeans, Asians, South Americans and Hispanics; where you could be whomever you wish to be, due to the lack of a principal or dominant subculture. Alienation is not an option in San Francisco; the city gives you the privilege to choose the way you would like to look at things, supporting your decision with a community or a group of like-minded people that share common distinguishing characteristics; giving you the sense of belonging.

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The backgrounds of person represent the person’s current recognition. The background of the person can include such as culture, heritage, and religion. In “ Who Am I?” by Beverly Daniel Tatum, ‘’… the psychoanalytic theorist who coined the term identity crisis, introduced the notion that the social, cultural, and historical context is the ground in which individual identity is embedded. (Erikson QTD in Tatum 10)

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At first Jing-Mei grew in her dreams and desirers to be perfect for her family; “In all of my imaginings

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The things we learn from our culture affects how you are as a human being. I treat others how I was taught to treat them. In my culture we believe that if treat others with aloha you will be treated the same Hula is a way of telling a story. Leis are a way of greeting someone. Tikis is a religious practice Ancient Hawaiian dance such as “Hula” Hula is a dance performed by Hawaiian people, men and women.

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Growing up surrounded by different religions, languages, and cultures has allowed me to grow my understanding and perception of the world around me. From the different grammar structures of Spanish and Japanese to the stigma of being a gay teen, my viewpoints are culturally aware and positively open-minded. I am always open hearing how other people experience and contemplate any kind of

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However, this determination sometimes appears to be obsessive to the point of running her daughter’s life for her. Regardless, she is only trying to help, as she encourages Jing Mei by asserting “‘You can be best anything.’” (1). Because of this, it suggests that although she is very harsh on her daughter at times, it is only to make sure that Jing Mei can use her full potential and not end up losing everything like her

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It is incredible how social environment and background play such a big role in a person's holistic development. Each decision is a wave that develops into a tsunami, and eventually floods a person’s future with opportunities. I am certain that my background, culture, and family have all influenced my life in a positive manner and made me who I am today. My background is the most intriguing. I am one-third American, one-third Indian, and one-third Pakistani.

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Traditional Western approach to modern psychology The Traditional Western approach has had a great influence on modern psychology. The Traditional Western approach differs quite a lot from the African perspective, but has made a big impact on psychology today. Here are a few key aspects of the Traditional Western approach to modern psychology: • Assumes that psychology is a universal science that is objective and the knowledge is value-free

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“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots” stated by Marcus Garvey. It is to one’s personal interpretation whether or not culture plays a factor in how one views others. Although some people argue that culture does not greatly affect how one views others and the world because one may have different personal insights that may not take cultural aspects into account; however, many insist that culture has a large impact on how one perceives others’ culture and the world because everyone is raised knowing only one culture, limiting one 's views to their culture. One factor that influences how people interpret others and the world is language. Knowing only one’s language provides some

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