Nothing human seems to last for very long. Individuals and groups constantly shift and change. Humans sometimes appear to change slowly, while at other times shifts occur precipitously as on a ‘tipping point’ (that potent moment when an idea, trend, or behaviour crosses a threshold and spreads quickly) as in a crescendo of conversions (Gladwell 2002). People change as they grow, learn, travel, associate with others, attend funerals and political rallies, have children, work in their fields or for other persons, face sickness and death, and grow old. During all such stages and engagements, individuals adjust their ideas and behaviours to fit their new circumstances and in these processes may affiliate with different groups as they distance themselves from earlier acquaintances. Groups also change, albeit at a slower rate since they represent composites in their memberships. The ideas and behaviour of groups are amalgams of their members’ experiences; they are affected by these histories and become crucibles for forging the attributes of future generations.

Perceptive observers know these dynamics; more casual observers and missionoriented actors may perceive a more static humanity, embedded in the moral undertones of their own objectives. Individuals construct their identities from many sources and moments based in roles, feelings, experiences, memories and even situations. Strong sentiments persist in the memories of some who have lived sufficiently long to have known a different world. The elder in the opening quote was reminiscing on how life in his past (1960s) compared with his situation in 2006. Although the Mipashi team rarely encountered a response as articulate and analytic, his answer echoed the conviction of someone who had known better days, reflected on its differences, and could distil its essence in a short, pithy paragraph.