Borrowing Quote by Stephen Pinker
““Preserving cultural diversity is considered a supreme virtue today, but the members of the diverse subcultures don't always see it that way. People have wants and needs, and when cultures rub shoulders, people in one culture are bound to notice when their neighbors are satisfying those those desires better than they are. When they do notice, history tells us, they shamelessly borrow wherever works best.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture on Cultural Evolution, 2015
Cultural diversity is valued, yet groups often envy others' successes, leading to selective borrowing.
In simple terms: People copy what works, even if they claim to value diversity.
Recognize and address envy in cultural exchange.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- business competition
- media consumption
- fashion trends
- language adoption
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives the desire to imitate?
- How can we balance appreciation and imitation?
Borrowing can erode authentic cultural identity.