Good post!
warbird1 wrote:
Good arguments, JDK. I guess it just all boils down to the cultural differences of Pacific Islanders versus Western cultures. I know that money has no meaning to some cultures.
That's true. I was thinking more about having money isn't much use if you get robbed, can't spend it or the bank robs you or fails. Not many ATMs in the mountain passes either.
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It just kills me to think that the natives there have these false hopes that economic historical tourism will happen for an infinite period of time, just because some Westerner told them so.
- as against losing it now because some westerner just grabs it and runs. Or cuts a deal with some governmental type and takes it.
A scenario is there's a wreck on a hillside, between two groups. Both have taken visitors to see it, for a reward. One day it's not there anymore because group 'a' have removed it for a westerner, where
they got paid... Group 'b' aren't going to be very happy - no 'plane, no tourism, and nothing for them cash, work or barter. This does happen.
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Even if they were to keep all of their relics and never let any go, do they really think there will be any interest in them, whatsoever, in 100 years, when there is nothing but a few rusted fragments that used to be an airplane, ship or tank? As time goes on, and the "Greatest Generation" and baby-boomers die off, there will be less and less interest in World War II.
Heard of a chap called Hannibal? Napoleon? Washington? While W.W.II is very live in our memories, it's 'just' another bit of history. It'll be remembered in artifacts and by people, just like the Crimea, Bull Run, et al. Think of the value to the remaining artefacts from these periods. By the way, I've a great deal on this war elephant relic.
On top of that, most cultures have a strong cultural memory. PNG isn't going to forget W.W.II quickly, and their memories and accounts might not fit with ours too easily either.
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This will directly translate into less people interested in going to a third world nation to see "history".
Doesn't mean
their history isn't important to
them. Besides, I'm not betting on what PNG will look like in 2120.
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I think in a lot of ways, some of the natives there are seriously short-sighted in their thinking. Sure, those relics may get a few curious on-lookers or visitors for maybe 20 more years, but after that they will have nothing, due to nature taking it's course on man-made objects.
Maybe. Like bdks point about a winfall now that's true enough. Remind me; how many US (or Aus or UK) governments
really plan to beyond their elected term?
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Since the natives seem to not be interested in money, why doesn't some entrepreneurial recoverer offer something else, like goods or services or bartering? Obviously, food, shelter and water are the primary sustenances for those people who live a hard life. Why doesn't someone offer to build them a flour mill, or a water desalinization plant, or a rice processing plant, etc. Things like this might support a local village for many generations - far longer lasting than historical tourism. I wonder which the villagers might like more - a rusty, delapidated airplane, or an infinite supply of fresh water? Just a thought.
You've put your finger on it. This has and does happen. Sometimes officially, for instance with the RAAF recovery of a number of A-20 / Boston wrecks, returning one restored aircraft to PNG (when the museum's ready) in return, AND a good deal of local 'good works'; and also privately where western groups have done just the kind of things you mention. However, there (usually) needs to be some government tax / bribe for the 'officials' above the locals...
I'm no expert on PNG, I'm just speculating on a little knowledge - but there's been some good points been made here, folks.
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