Western Superiority?

     Through my world travels, I notice how many guidelines have been imposed on the whole planet--but originated in Western culture.  The current calendar differs from the ancient Jewish or Chinese calendars, because it was invented by a Roman Catholic Pope and forced upon the rest of the world.  Christianity was used as an excuse to obliterate older religions/cultures on every continent.  Time Zones were created by American railroad "robber barons", and they leave their mark around the globe.  American "big brands" like Tropicana, Goya Foods, Marlboro, and Coca Cola impale foreign markets with stronger reach than foreign (often better-made) products can reach America.  

     After my recent visit to Japan, I realized that American industries/media spent decades bad-mouthing Japanese products.  They are fearful that such superior quality products might erode their graft-insured marketshare in America.  In reality, Japanese inventions, foods, merchandise and appliances are wonderful and way ahead of American quality!  It seems like American industries behaved like former Soviet ones: blindfolding/brainwashing their population.  Maybe we oughtn't always trust American organizations; look what they did to the Native American Indians: something that gets ignored annually at Thanksgiving, as Americans stuff themselves.

     All is not lost, however.  Zen mentality, yoga, and meditation are contributions from the East.  Some would call them truly invaluable.  Perhaps, all of that powerful Western imposition doesn't make a strong stance, after all.