- American soldiers dip their bullets in poison.
- We use 'smart' bullets. No matter where a person is hit, the bullet will automatically travel to a critical organ, e.g. a shot in the arm will travel up the arm and move towards the heart.
- Soldiers wear high-tech sunglasses that allow them to see through clothing.
- Knee pads (frequently worn down around the ankles for comfort when not on mission) are actually mine/IED detection devices.
- America already knows where all the terrorists are because of satellite tracking, but we don't attack them for unknown, but probably nefarious reasons.
- We have devices on our humvees that can detect bombs and weapons in cars from a great distance.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Urban Myths
Had an interesting discussion over dinner with an Iraqi who works with us. In the course of the conversation, he listed several popular misconceptions and myths among Iraqis about American soldiers. Maybe this serves to illuminate the chasm that separates our people, and complicates finding a solution to the Iraqi problem.
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4 comments:
I'm sorry Lee, but those were myths a long time ago. Remember when they thought that the body armor was a personal A/C? Or how about when the Iraqis thought we took pills that cool our body temp? The fact is that the average Iraqi knows that these are JUST MYTHS. I would hope the people you deal with on a daily basis don't still believe these myths. My terp has been telling me that Iraqis see us as human more than they use to. They know the truth, but it's still fun to say. Iraqis love rumors! And you call yourself a cultural expert. :)
Marshall, of course most Iraqis know that these are old myths. There are just so many that I hadn't heard before. I had forgotten the 'personal A/C' one. Anyway, to simply say that the Iraqis love rumors is to underestimate the power rumor and myth have in this culture. Granted, the problem isn't as pronounced in Baghdad, but surely you remember the stories from when we were down South when they thought EOD created VBIEDs. Also, bear in mind that our terps have a lot more experience with us, and have a vested interest in telling us what we want to hear. I'm not saying your terp is wrong. In fact, I know he is correct. All I'm saying is that you should take into account the potential bias of any potential information source. As a cultural expert you should appreciate that. ;-)
"terp"?
“…to simply say that the Iraqis love rumors is to underestimate the power rumor and myth have in this culture”
Are we ever able to properly estimate the power of myth in any culture? I remember sitting in a high school class about ancient mythology and wondering if my teacher was totally bats because she presented the mythologies of the ancient world in a way that took for granted that such societies (as a whole) actually believed the minute specifics of every “mythological” story. I (like most of us) have since learned that the truth is otherwise. Perhaps Iraqi urban myths about American soldiers are best interpreted as indicators of their fears, hopes and need to comprehend an uncertain reality – rather than as infallible indicators of their backwardness and reluctance to apprehend truth.
Indeed, some myths will persist against all efforts to the contrary. I leave it to Lee and others to decide what’s best in these circumstances. Those of us stateside have but a scant comprehension of the culture over there (and, of course, some cultures are more prone than others to embrace superstition and the like). But I posit that the same can hold true for those who know a society very, very well.
I, for one, am glad that Lee is in a position to address these matters. There are people among our own populace who are actively building new myths as well, and it would be a great thing indeed to be in a position to disabuse the intellectually unfortunate of false and poisonous beliefs. Well, so much as we ourselves are able. Which, as I say, is a tall order in itself.
Kelly, good to hear from you. Sorry. "terp" = soldierly shorthand for "interpreter". I would love to do a whole posting on that subject, but the most interesting specific anecdotes would probably reveal more about what we do than I feel comfortable with.
We can never know the true power of myth in any culture, but it is critically important to be aware of the limits of our understanding.
By the way Marshall. Good to hear from you. I trust that Duane is keeping you fed and watered, and making sure you get plenty of exercise.
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