Globalization can be derived from different perspective and in various fields. How economist interprets it differs with the way politician understands it. This post does not intend to touch either from these two sides but interested on the definition of globalization from cultural perspective. A definition by two sociologists named Martin Albrow and Elizabeth King termed globalization as a process, in which people all over the world are incorporated into a single world society (Cuterela, 2012). When I first encounter this definition, I thought that all societies around the globe are united and adapt each other’s unique cultural background. However, based on a paper project by Suny Levin Institute (n.d.), it is more of “Americanization” process.
It reminds me of a book that I read two years ago which also stated almost the same thing. Eastern culture has been overshadowed by the Western. Our surrounding is changing. Our society used to listen to traditional songs before western product channeled into Malaysia’s market. Just look at how much Hip Hop genre has evolved in Malaysia’s music industry. Almost every new song released is featured with a rapper.
Kids used to play hide and seek and tried to steal any chances to play outside the house. However right now, the playground that used to be packed with active kids is now abandoned. They prefer to focus their eyes onto the screen of a PC or a smartphone to play games. Not only that, family gathering now seems to be less hectic and more of smiling alone at the corner while facing their smartphone. No more catching up with each other’s life because Keeping Up with The Kardashian is more on hype.
Local product such as “Kopitiam” is not visited as regularly as before. It is turning to “Kopidiam” because most people now prefer to drink coffee at Starbucks. Mc. Donald has also become popular place for Malaysian to dine.
The Hippies culture is also going strong in Malaysia. Dressing up like a hipster is so fanatically adored by the youngsters. Same goes with lifestyle. Couples live together out of wedlock is not a rare thing anymore.
How did this happen? It is all because of technology. It gives people from all over the world the information they crave only a click away, especially with the emergence of the Internet. Can you imagine how much more the technology will evolve in the future? Our local culture is now at the age of extinction. Our local brand is less supported by our people. Who's fault is this? Who is to be blamed?
Based on the example I have provided above, I see and believe globalization which is led by technology has become a harmful toxic towards our culture. What do you think?
With the development of globalization,especially for cultural globalization,I think it is really a serious issue. I agree with your opinion. The moment a lot of people are affected by Western culture , whether in music, movies or food and technology . I think one of the reasons you have mentioned is the impact of technology and , in my opinion there is another point that our own cultural development did not do well or we can Say that people are too easy to follow some 'new things' . Are those new things bad? No, they are better. people enjoy it, like it. the globalization happened and continuing, we can not stop it, but we could learn from them,strengthening cultural construction of our country, we have to take some new from others to develop ourselves.while we should discern which ones are good and which are poor , do not take over all, absorb the essence things from others to fill our culture deficiencies. That's all from me.
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ReplyDeleteTechnology Modernization is led by western countries and that might be the reason we is influenced with their daily routines and activities. World without borders is one of the main causes of local cultural traditions got less attention because they more fascinated with the latest trend. They not only see new things or trend but they also practice it in their daily lives. For example the hip hop culture you mention earlier, the youngster will follow from the way they talk and they way they style themselves . Is technology to blame? My answer is No because the inventor create technology to help us and we ourselves must know to control it.
ReplyDeleteDevelopment of advanced technology led to the emergence of modern society. Teenagers follow the modern culture and latest trends using the technology. Modern cultures spread through technology make today’s youth forget the local culture. Teenagers now do not want to miss the latest trend from friends or their environment. They do not want to be labelled as “old” or out-dated. With the advent of the internet, smartphones and sophisticated gadgets that make it easier for modern culture spread widely. For example, music, lifestyle, fashion of modern culture spread widely in Malaysia and has become the trend of young people now. Young people are no longer practicing the local culture and some of them almost forget their origins. So, it is clear that technology has brought changes to our culture.
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ReplyDeleteNowadays,especially young generation, they do not care and take seriously about culture. For them, culture is only about fashion,food and music. The meaning of culture is the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in such as arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits and etc.Because of the advancement of technology today, people see culture as simple thing which they do not really care. I'm agree with you when you said that we are affected by Western culture and does the technology will be blame because of this? The answer is no because the blame actually comes from ourselves. We are the one who create and control the technology. So why do the technology have to be blame? For me we need to remember that we have our own culture. The technology is created because to help us and make our life easy and as the creater of the technology, we should know to control and handle it before we're getting forget about our own culture.
ReplyDeleteAt first I agree with the fact that the emergence of technology actually gives a negative impact culturally. Especially those who came from the eastern countries where it seems like our own culture are eventually being eaten up by the westerners. Sometimes I wonder, is it because we were once invaded by them thus, leading in what we have become today? Did their Western way of thinking were heavily influenced into every mind of our current generation? I’m afraid not. If we looked back on the history of our country, yes. We were invaded by few countries; the British, Spain, Communist and Japan. Indeed, they came here along with the influence of their own countries. Be if from language, education, ruling methods, administrations and also culture where some part of them even implemented and has become part of Malaysian today. But then, is that the sole reason why we are becoming “American”? In my opinion, even if we were never invaded by any countries before, we are still going to go through the phase of Americanisation. Why? It is because of economy. An article which was written 10 years ago by Global Envision in 2006 said that United States of America has becoming a massive and world most influential economy and they often trying to make other people to like them. Through the export and import process of their products worldwide, somehow it became famous and loved by many. Their food such and coca cola and hamburgers, their clothes and brands are what make them becoming more acceptable even culturally. A lot of people wants to be like them and wants to look like them. There is nothing harm in trying to imitate other people’s culture as it is a sign for us trying to understand other people’s better. But when it is starting to affect our own culture, it is something that we need to pay attention on. I can’t deny the fact that somehow, the technology helps in introducing and also giving access to the knowledge of American culture. But I think if we are strongly believed in the beauty of culture, we won’t be easily persuaded with Americanisation. Well, maybe because we are so used in following other people and thinking other people are more superior than us are what makes us becoming Americanised and another victim in this cultural globalisation.
ReplyDeleteAdministrator V, 2006. Americanization or Globalization? Global Envision. Retrieved from https://www.globalenvision.org/library/33/1273
At first I agree with the fact that the emergence of technology actually gives a negative impact culturally. Especially those who came from the eastern countries where it seems like our own culture are eventually being eaten up by the westerners. Sometimes I wonder, is it because we were once invaded by them thus, leading in what we have become today? Did their Western way of thinking were heavily influenced into every mind of our current generation? I’m afraid not. If we looked back on the history of our country, yes. We were invaded by few countries; the British, Spain, Communist and Japan. Indeed, they came here along with the influence of their own countries. Be if from language, education, ruling methods, administrations and also culture where some part of them even implemented and has become part of Malaysian today. But then, is that the sole reason why we are becoming “American”? In my opinion, even if we were never invaded by any countries before, we are still going to go through the phase of Americanisation. Why? It is because of economy. An article which was written 10 years ago by Global Envision in 2006 said that United States of America has becoming a massive and world most influential economy and they often trying to make other people to like them. Through the export and import process of their products worldwide, somehow it became famous and loved by many. Their food such and coca cola and hamburgers, their clothes and brands are what make them becoming more acceptable even culturally. A lot of people wants to be like them and wants to look like them. There is nothing harm in trying to imitate other people’s culture as it is a sign for us trying to understand other people’s better. But when it is starting to affect our own culture, it is something that we need to pay attention on. I can’t deny the fact that somehow, the technology helps in introducing and also giving access to the knowledge of American culture. But I think if we are strongly believed in the beauty of culture, we won’t be easily persuaded with Americanisation. Well, maybe because we are so used in following other people and thinking other people are more superior than us are what makes us becoming Americanised and another victim in this cultural globalisation.
ReplyDeleteAdministrator V, 2006. Americanization or Globalization? Global Envision. Retrieved from https://www.globalenvision.org/library/33/1273
“Globalisation” means different things to different people. Some of them think that globalisation is an advancement of our life, and the rest blaming globalisation as the cause of their cultural losses. Let me underlines this, Globalisation is not the problem of our cultural losses. It is true that most of us, when we hear the term “globalisation,” tend to think primarily of the negative aspects of globalisation. We may think, for instance, of the economic dominance of western and American countries to set their own terms in global trade, their reluctance to do away with subsidies to their farmers with the result that third world farmers are unable to sell their products at a fair price. However, we should realize that these are the effects, not of globalisation as such, but of the unfair rules of trade made in the wake of globalisation. We should protest against these rules, not against the fact of globalisation (Wajibu, 2014). Globalisation is the wrong target. There is nothing wrong with increasing the array of choices available to our people. If, however, we choose to consume junk over nourishment, if we choose selfishness over sharing, if we choose to ignore the plight of the poor, if we choose to allow companies to operate without restriction then the problem lies squarely with us not with others. It is not outsiders who corrupt us. We do that to ourselves. With strong values and strong institutions we can face anything. Without them we will perish.
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Today generation seem has adopted western culture such as like food, song, the way of live and even the way they speak one of the reason is due to want to follow what is trend today and sooner it’s become a culture for them. In my opinion, it’s happen naturally because as we know that American/ western is the most affect culture not only in Malaysia but others country too. We cannot blame the technology due to change our culture, this is globalization and this is development. Who can stop it? Nobody! I totally agree with your opinion by saying globalization that led by technology has harmful our culture but it doesn’t mean we forget our culture and I could say that local culture is still maintains in Malaysia although some of young people has affected by western.
ReplyDeleteIt is no one to blame. and we should blame ourselves. because, actually without command we should support what our country has.
ReplyDeleteYup, I can't help but saying that I am already expossed and LIKES Kpop so much yet kpop wave is everywhere and I believe no country haven't exposed to this hallyu wave.
But we can't help but just sit down and doing nothing.
their influence were just to strong and it is hard to resist it.