Interesting times, indeed. International travel might be more convenient now, but, I cannot tell borders are more porous. The idea of nation state, sovereignty and border protection probably would have never been as popular. hence, peoples move, but, they are tracked, recorded, monitored and punished when they overstay their visa. If you over stay your visa in Taiwan, you are deported and never be allowed to visit the country for at least two years.
And physical barriers across borders are stronger than ever. Turkey plans a high wall on its border with Syria (well if their crazy religio-president does not declare war before that). Israel is all about walls. The US-Mexico border well, you know, citizen patrols and all that.
Interesting times, yes, but, interesting may not always mean for the better. In real sense, the world was probably more integrated in middle ages. Now we are over-"informatized," but I am not sure if we are more aware or integrated.
Very candid analysis, buddy. Isn't it interesting that with the advent of the information super highway , with development of free trade areas amongst nations, visa-free stays for some countries and with the endorsement of cultural sensitivities, still, within some groups of people or even in our own individual intrapsyche there is a sense of "us" and "them" ? I do long for a time , a time when we shall not be punished for over staying in a particular country, or where cultural transmission will no longer be basis for 'un-patriotism'. Perhaps I'm a bit progressive minded, a las, my thought. Sometimes i wish i could fast forward 2-3 centuries and see whether or not mankind and human civilization may have moved towards singularity , unitary solvency.
LOL.