I think there is a limit to cosmopolitan universalism, and that's a good thing. Whether separated by time or space, it's good that there are unknowable cultures

I think there is a limit to cosmopolitan universalism, and that's a good thing. Whether separated by time or space, it's good that there are unknowable cultures. First because to expect that every culture is understandable from the perspective of another (usually wealthier, more sophisticated, and "civilized") culture (in the business of writing history books) limits other cultures' freedom to express themselves as they see fit. Where the rubber meets the road is when a culture foreign to the metropole flouts what the metropole considers universal values. Imperialism usually ensues. Second, foreign cultures are fascinating because they are so different. Imagine Marco Polo traveling to China. It must have been like getting in a space ship and traveling to another planet. Nowadays all the airports look the same, all the center cities have the same types of restaurants, and global culture is depressingly uniform.