What You Can See vs. What Exists

Let’s say you ask five of your acquaintances how they feel about a certain topic. For this example, let’s say you ask five of your acquaintances how they feel about marijuana. Of those five, four of them say it should be legalized. Now, based on this quick survey you come to believe that most people in your area think marijuana should be legalized. However, when your area is surveyed the numbers say otherwise.

For sociologists, this isn’t a new phenomenon. In fact, most professional surveyors understand the difference between those who are available and those who are representative. However, for the average person understanding that the world you surround yourself with is not representative of the world around you can be a bit surprising.

The difference between what you see and what exists is one of the many troubles in defining a culture. I live in Midwest America, where people wave at strangers and you can leave your car unlocked when you run into the store. However, I know this isn’t the America everyone lives in. In addition, Lawrence is the one blue dot in a red state. Lawrence’s population is full of young, educated, middle-class people. I know that this isn’t the America everyone lives in.

The difference between one town/region/neighborhood in Turkey is as vast as it is in America. In Istanbul, you have a large metropolis. It reminds me of a mix between New York City and Washington DC. Though, it would be interesting to compare it to Ankara. However, Izmir is more like San Diego. I always get a more liberal vibe from coastal towns; because Turkey is surrounded by water, this trend seems to have more to do with the history of the different areas.

Izmir is full of rich farmland. As a result, they have a culture based on trade: this trade is not limited to produce but culture as well. Izmir shares a strong history with Greeks who use to make up a large portion of the population. In addition, the city is known for its young population. As a result, the city has a culture of progress. They do not attempt to cling to the past. Instead, they desire progress forward. They fear strong nationalism and Islamic ties. It is no surprise then that CHP continues to win the vote of the residents of Izmir.

Istanbul is more of a diplomatic city. Since the sultan era, the city deals heavily in commerce. As a result, there is a stronger struggle between new and old culture. There, you see a 50/50 split of women wearing headscarfs. And there, you see the conflict between the East and West of Turkey.