Sorry, let me clarify my position. I am referring to the shift towards social isolation in Vancouver. The problem is not of being wealthy. It's how individuals need to create dialogue with each other to remove racial bias and presumptions. It is important to retain heritage, but not at the cost of isolation. It is a trend toward apathy, especially by the younger generation.
There is a degree of bias against Asian students by professors and teachers (especially first year University English) because of the presumption of poor literary skills. Blame it on the teacher's impatience for not using appropriate instructing techniques that allow for Non-English speaking students to comprehend and understand.
I agree with your statement regarding immigrants. Immigrants are the lifeblood of a country's ideas, economy, and culture creating jobs, and business. Without them, Canada would be left behind without new and old innovators and entrepreneurs. However, it is becoming rarer and rarer to see individuals willing to step outside cultural boundaries (even their own personal boundaries), especially the post-90's generation. As the saying goes, "Wealth is lost on the Third generation". When have you seen a cross-cultural event like Gung Haggis Fat Choy started up by young individuals?
The older (first) generation of immigrants (and older people as well) are more amiable and willing to converse, no matter where you are or who you are talking to. What I am referring to is certain immigrant children who in no way attempt to venture outside of their ethnic identity. They are purely narcissistic, caring only about themselves and their hedonism, treating Vancouver like their own personal playground. These individuals stay within their own sheltered comfort zone, which creates a ripple effect to encourage a widespread of cultural isolation. Because of that, there is limited dialogue created which could bridge the gap between Canada and other cultures. There is the crossing of cultural lines from CBC's and other -born in Canada individuals, but even within this you can sense the division between second generation immigrants and their overseas counterparts from social groups to recreational activities. This is not an isolated incident. The recent wave of Chinese immigrants giving birth in Hong Kong has set off a chain of hostility (between both mainlanders and Hong Kongers). The mainlanders want the same health and education benefits that Hong Kongers receive for their children, while Hong Kongers want to protect their social financial costs (hospitals, health care, education, etc). Again, people are quick to judge, hate, and close their minds to focus only on the short term solution/problem at hand.
Nevertheless, I agree with you, it is just takes some bad apples to ruin the whole barrel.
So I propose this compromise: Vancouver's cold attitudes stem from the actions of
individuals rather than cultural origins. With each individual acting for his or her own self-interest, society as a whole becomes selfish and apathetic. While there are some deviants leaning towards negative attitudes (narcissism, racism), overall Vancouver is a beautiful place to live, from its scenes, to the nightlife. The many times I have traversed back on the night bus was where individuals became more open to conversation, and the people most friendly. Everyone found a common ground. So could there be a spark used in a positive way to open dialogue instead of closing it? Vancouver can be a more open city, as evidenced during the 2010 Olympics, with everyone becoming united towards Canada's success. However, like any other city, we do have a dark side. We become so caught up with the hassles of daily life that we forget to look at the big picture.
Just take this lesson from an old social experiment of Universe 25, which resulted in the eventual collapse of rodent society from John B. Calhoun.
http://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/42/wiles.php
Is this the future Vancouver (and the world) is heading for? The Sun's article only grazes the tip of the iceberg. Even with the abundance of resources (though quickly dwindling) available, the mice in the experiment ended up either psychotic/violent or apathetic (akin to Nero fiddling while Rome burned). Space is slowly becoming limited in Vancouver and its Metro areas (albeit not as bad as India or Hong Kong's skyscaper city). The question of when will the population hit the critical threshold to cause societal collapse?
Society can indeed change, but it takes time. I fear we do not have enough time left.
