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Now that it is the end of the semester, I look back on what all I have learned about Globalization, and realize that I’m still not sure if I love it or I hate it. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? I guess I’ll go with saying it’s a good thing, although I know that everything that comes with globalization is not good. However, I believe that in the end, we have more; we can live more comfortably, and become a “closer” or smaller world. & I believe that this is a good thing.

What do you say?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtmvksvSvtc&feature=related

What do you think?

Agree? Disagree?

The other day I was just hanging out, playing on my computer. I’m sure I had my music on, and I was probably talking to someone online while preparing for my Spanish presentation. I wanted to do all the research in Spanish so that I wouldn’t have to translate it later, so I typed in www.google.com.ar which is the Google for people in Argentina. As I was researching my topic, I all of a sudden became very excited about the fact that I was reading information someone far away may be reading. I began looking at the news from Argentina, and was very impressed by what the computer was showing me. I mean, you know you can watch live what is going on in Buenos Aires! Years ago it would’ve taken at least a week for me to be updated on what was going on in another state let alone another country! Well anyways, I was just impressed by this “trick” (that is why I called this post “come to the circus”, because of the “trick”) also known as the internet, and just how much it “shrinks” or “flattens” the world.

I’m sure that by now, if you have been reading my posts, you know that I am taking a class on Globalization. Well, in this class we were talking about the affects of globalization on culture. One of the questions brought up was if we are working towards one culture through globalization? Well, I don’t think we are plus I’m not even sure that is possible.  Ok, well, I’m sure that through globalization we, as in different countries, will become more like each other and share certain aspects of our culture with one another. However, I’m certain that we will always have our own culture & our own identities.  Let me know what you think

Alright, well I’m sure that either you have seen or have heard of the movie the 40 year old virgin. If not, you must live in some far off city. Anyways, I just recently watched it, and though this may be a little inappropriate for a blog post, I thought that it was a humorous way to talk about globalization/ outsourcing. 

In the movie, the main character, the virgin, is having some problems with his private area. The poor man has no clue what to do with himself, so he decides to call a male-enhancement company to ask them for help. However, the man from the company who answers the phone has a very thick accent & as the virgin asks for help with his problem, the man on the phone, says that there is no way he could help seeing as though he is in INDIA. The movie goes on and I guess his problem was fixed, I don’t really remember. But anywho, a surprising amount of jobs are being outsourced every day.  I guess this is a good thing because it means cheaper manufacturing which means cheaper products, but this also means that we are losing jobs which isn’t a good thing.

In the beginning of the semester, I was a bit confused by the difference between colonization and globalization.  However, after about four months of studying both topics, the difference is now obvious.  And yes, you are right; I will explain to you the differences and similarities between colonization and globalization. If you REALLY want, I might be able to make a ven diagram for ya, but that’s only if you pay me (I am a poor college student). But any who…

Colonization is the population of a new area, or one that is “barbaric” for lack of a better word.  According to my dear friend, Mr. Wikipedia, the word itself stems off the Latin word, colere, which means to inhabit, cultivate, frequent, practice, tend, guard, and respect. These are great words which help define the term Colonization.

On the other hand, Globalization is the change from local/ home-based companies, economies, workers, etc. to global companies, economies, workers, etc.

The two are similar in the way that they are making things “larger.” Taking nothing and making it into a town or city like colonization does or taking local “things” and making them global “things”

I know that right now I am just barely scratching the surface of the similarities and differences between the two. However, it is a little hard to explain and I think I would need to write a book in order to get all my thoughts/ opinions across.

What do I think of when I think of America/ Americans?

football, hot dogs, popsicles, cowboys, & thanksgiving. (I’m not sure why I think about popsicles, but I do)

Oh! Thanksgiving JUST happened, let’s talk about it… Generally people eat turkey and potatoes, sit around a big table with their family and stuff their faces. Sound normal? Good! Well, it’s a pretty American thing to do, right? I mean… we’re the only people who celebrate Turkey Day. Right? WRONG! Well… I mean it’s not super American, we’re just the only ones who celebrate. But anyways… according to my best friend forever, Mr. Wikipedia, The first recorded Thanksgiving was celebrated by SPANIARDS!!!! Other Thanksgivings were celebrated by people from ENGLAND!!! Foreigners! Not only did this American holiday originate from foreigners, I bet that if you look back on this past Thursday, and look at the food on the table, I highly doubt that all of it was made in America. & even if the food is all from America, how about the plates, silverware, napkins, etc. are they from America? Doubt it!

Its funny, even the most traditional, normal, basic holiday, one known to be part of our culture, is from someone else. Few things are genuine.

The earth is a melting pot, and we, though different from each other, are all the same.

I know that from time to time, we all question our government, whether we question the type of government, or the decisions government makes or maybe both, but we still need someone/ something to lead us. So what happens when there is no government? Well, that’s to say that is even possible, because I’m sure that in the end some power-hungry man/ woman would takeover.  However, let’s pretend that there are no such people. Would we still have morals? How could we trust one another if there were no repercussions to our actions? If someone stole from you, the only way to seek “justice” would be to go out and get the thief yourself. Could you trust anyone? Would everyone be treated equally? Would our living conditions stay the same? Would there be some monetary system? Would capitalism or some kind of trade system exist? I can’t answer these questions, but even the idea of a world without government is just silly.

 

Nueve De Julio is not only Argentina’s Independence Day, but it is also Buenos Aires’ largest street. Here you can see the Panasonic building as well as an advertisement for an ipod shuffle, cars made from around the world, and more.  I believe that this picture represents Globalization because it shows that other companies and businesses have spread around the world and are impacting day to day life. 

We defined Globalization as a rapidly accelerating process which enables, encourages, and advances connections between both individuals and groups worldwide allowing for the exchange and influence of cultural, technological, economic, and political ideas and their applications. 

How would you define Globalization?

Honestly, I have no idea.

I mean, I don’t know how to define a word that is not a concrete object. For me, it’s like when a math book tries to define what a logarithm is. Are we really supposed to understand it? I feel like Globalization is similar to math in the sense that it cannot be defined by a definition, rather it is defined by actions and examples. So, I will try to explain to you what I think Globalization is. I think that Globalization is when large companies build in an area that previous to the company’s existence there was run by small mom and pop stores.  The company may unintentionally make the inhabitants and the land more “westernized.”  In short, I feel as if Globalization is when companies spread across the world and make our world a closer knit place.

I am more than excited to see/ read other ideas/ opinions on what Globalization is.