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we sometimes forget that cultural differences represent profound psychological differences. The critical question for all nations is, “How can we engage globalization without losing our traditions?” For traditions are our links with the past. How do our traditions become integrated into some new worldview?At its core, globalization is not about communications technology; it’s about personal identity. It goes to the psychological foundations of a people. It is the process of realizing that wherever we come from, from now on, we are “one people” with one destiny.

WILLIAM V. WISHARD Lake Ridge, Va., May 27, 2014 The writer is a former trends analyst and author of “Between Two Ages: The 21st Century and the Crisis of Meaning.”

We are encouraged by the recent announcement of MIT accepting maker portfolios as part of their college application process. Portfolios are often described as a more authentic means of assessment than the traditional classroom test.

Allowing Cubans to sign cellphone contracts helped swell the state coffers but gave citizens a tool for information and communication. Every little move toward flexibility has provided some economic relief to the administration and, simultaneously, a relative loss of control.

“Raúlist reforms.” The octogenarian leader appears to know that if he speeds up change, the entire sociopolitical model could dismantle before his eyes. While he keeps delivering the same message and proclaiming that changes are “for more socialism,” the reality makes it clear that Cuba is transitioning to a sort of capitalism exempt of labor rights and civic freedom.

A growing number of Cubans build their own receivers to enjoy television programming from Florida. Copies of those shows, popularly known as “the package,” are distributed on USB sticks or external hard drives by clandestine networks.

Every morning as a child, I'd watch thousands of men walk down that hill to work in the shipyard. I'd watch those same men walking back home every night. It has to be said, the shipyard was not the most pleasant place to live next door to, or indeed work in. The shipyard was noisy, dangerous, highly toxic, with an appalling health and safety record. 2:34 Despite that, the men and women who worked on those ships were extraordinarily proud of the work they did, and justifiably so. Some of the largest vessels ever constructed on planet Earth were built right at the end of my street.

He said, "What the hell are you gonna do?" ♪ 11:23 ♪ I said, "Anything but this!" ♪ 11:26 ♪ These dead man's boots know their way down the hill ♪ 11:29 ♪ They can walk there themselves and they probably will ♪ 11:32 ♪ But they won't walk with me ‘cause I'm off the other way ♪ 11:35 ♪ I've had it up to here, I'm gonna have my say ♪ 11:37 ♪ When all you've got left is that cross on the wall ♪ 11:40 ♪ I want nothing from you, I want nothing at all ♪ 11:43 ♪ Not a pension, nor a pittance, when your whole life is through ♪ 11:46 ♪ Get this through your head, I'm nothing like you ♪ 11:49 ♪ I'm done with all the arguments, there'll be no more disputes ♪ 11:54 ♪ And you'll die before you see me in your dead man's boots ♪

So the procession is moving at a stately pace down my street, and as it approaches my house, I start to wave my flag vigorously, and there is the Queen Mother. I see her, and she seems to see me. She acknowledges me. She waves, and she smiles. And I wave my flag even more vigorously. We're having a moment, me and the Queen Mother. She's acknowledged me. And then she's gone. 13:50 Well, I wasn't cured of anything. It was the opposite, actually. I was infected. I was infected with an idea. I don't belong in this street. I don't want to live in that house. I don't want to end up in that shipyard. I want to be in that car.