Globalization
Globalization is classified as the huge idea of the 21st century that captures the elements of widespread ideologies by speeding up, broadening, and deepening the globe. Nations and people have extended all over the world allowing the formation of an integrated economy characterized by cheaper markets, free capital flow, and trade. The phenomenon has changed individuals’ lives as well as the globe as a whole. This essay looks at the changes that globalization and new media has instituted in my life.
The globalization experience is a common phrase amongst the politicians and journalists. It has also been the key perspective in the entrepreneurial practice and theory. Most debates today center around the aspect to uncover the advantages and disadvantages it has introduced in people’s lives. Globalization is a shorthand description of the connectedness and spread technologies, communication, and production. The diffusion has interlaced cultural and economic activities (Madianou and Daniel, 170).
With the enhanced financial interconnections come deep-rooted political variations such as the dependency of the poor nations on the strong economies where most of the technical and capital expertise is prevalent. Power has also moved from the national firms to the multinational corporations. The globe has also noticed the spread of globalization as a brand that many businesses have utilized to market and develop their items. The phenomenon has intensified the worldwide social interactions that link various localities (Tomlinson, 9).
According to Tomlinson (21), globalization does not only affect the nations and their economies. It impacts the individual at his or her level. The presence of globalization can be felt all around us starting with the basic needs to the luxuries that we possess. Everything that we have ranging from food, machines, and clothes is a product of globalization. The process has taken over the mechanisms by which cultures, societies, and economies interact, function, and move. Globalization has changed my life in several ways.
First, it has eliminated barriers to mobility and opened up new opportunities for me career-wise and personally. For instance, it is easier for an individual to travel to various regions in search for work. The concept has helped me shape my opinions concerning how the world conducts its functions. Even the smallest things can make the globe turn. Globalization introduces the aspects that we use in our lives. For example, the phones that we utilize for communication or the computer that helps us do our homework (Tomlinson, 20).
Globalization enhances my awareness of various situations and events that occur in different places. By simply going on the internet or watching TV, people get to know what is taking places within their nation and outside. It sensitizes people concerning fundamental issues such as global warming and deforestation alerting them on the necessity of sustainable growth. In school, globalization has enabled people from various cultures to meet on one common ground to share different values, experiences, and ideas (Tomlinson, 31).
Talking to people from other ethnicities has made me develop an open-mind regarding their beliefs. Globalization formulates a conducive and harmonious environment of individuals who are oblivious of their diversities. My experiences have not been all good since the trend has its disadvantages. I believe that globalization has shuttered the moral realm in society and the sense of responsibility amongst the youth. People are more concerned about acquiring the latest gadgets to preserve their status quo (Tomlinson, 36).
The individuals who cannot afford the pleasures of globalization turn to illicit means to acquire the luxuries. Youngsters have developed a competitive spirit that shuns those who cannot keep up with the trends of the phenomenon. Also, the technology has given them the leeway to watch and participate in unethical activities. Information in the digital avenues travels very fast and influences a large number of people who may have the tendency of following their peers blindly to avoid labels such as loser, nerd, etc. (Tomlinson, 38).
As the technology continues to advance, most operations like governance and economic matters are exceeding the parameters of states and nations. The forces of international engagement have given individuals the opportunity to become global citizens with a sense of comfort in the world community. The global identity arises from the transportation technologies, communication, and modern information. The increase of the digital media strengthens the ability to interact with the rest of the globe (Tomlinson, 38).
According to Tomlinson (40), the global citizens have abandoned their traditional identities such as political perceptions, ethnicities, and domicile allegiances. However, living in a globalized era inflicts additional roles and responsibilities to the entire planet. The values introduced by the global economies and political systems have been advocated by world leaders for the past century. They include economic growth, conflict cessation, religious pluralism, poverty alleviation, humanitarian assistance, cultural diversity, etc.
Many people have developed a connection to individuals in other regions through international governance and financial markets. Globalization has become the new local by reinforcing transnationalism and multiculturalism. Unfortunately, the political systems are filled with technocrats and sovereign states that take away the wishes to be part of the global world and trap individuals in their allegiances. People also lack the support, resources, and tools to facilitate global connections (Tomlinson, 43).
New Media
New media is also a 21st-century term that is utilized to define all the elements concerned with the internet and its interconnection with technology, sound, and image. The phrase keeps on changing every day such that the description one acquires about new media today is not the same tomorrow. New media has affected businesses, economies, and individual. On a personal stance, new media has enabled me to interact with people from all over the globe. I obtain useful information be it entertainment, politics, social, etc. via the internet (Tomlinson, 51).
The new media has made the planet become small and remain interconnected. Gone are the times when you would lose contact with a family member of friend who had left the neighborhood. On the internet, I can trace the loved ones using their internet identities. The new media has thus assisted individuals to preserve and solidify relationships. The phenomenon also shares a similar adverse effect as globalization in the sense that it threatens the moral and social realms in the community (Tomlinson, 59).
Occasionally, I have heard people from the older generation saying that the internet is evil. A rebellious and younger version of me would have gone on the offense to prove that the new media is not harmful to a child. However, times are changing, and some individuals seem to be going backward instead of forward in terms of their behavior and actions. Yes, the new media poses a risk to young ones who are driven by curiosity and the urge to be like their peers. The only factor that can sustain and protect them is exercising self-control(Madianou and Daniel, 171).
Stories have been told of children who were lured by the new media into dangerous situations such as joining communist and terrorist groups or rape. The internet is not for the frail-minded who can be influenced easily. It requires critical thinking and self-awareness to enjoy the experiences at a moderate level. However, the benefits outshine the disadvantages immensely. The new media has helped people to develop themselves career wise through advertising and spreading information (Madianou and Daniel, 173).
At a personal level, the internet will be vital to me professionally in the creation of a brand and the provision of job opportunities that match my expertise. If I decide to join a freelance career, I have the option of marketing my items or services via the new media. Upcoming technology has made the diffusion of new media possible. Phones and computers today offer the option of accessing the internet. Hence, people do not have to make long queues in new media centers to obtain the services (Tomlinson, 62).
The processes and communications within the new media have restricted social interactions, dissemination of data, global economics, and restructuring of studies. In particular, blog and web writing are ground-breaking and revolutionary because they change how individuals construct simple sentences and utilize language. They allow people to nest and structure information into different documents. Most forms of new media are organized based on hyperlinks. The model is a definitive element that runs wide and deep (Madianou and Daniel, 175).
According to Tomlinson (76), the foundation of the internet tries to generate an interactive society by allowing individuals to discuss, comment, and share ideas concerning various topics. The rise of the phenomenon sustains the globalization procedure by increasing communications amongst people. Globalization and new media have provided arenas for the contestation of cultural political and economic boundaries. They have redefined the meaning of possessing power since those at the helm of the processes wield a lot of influence on societies all over the globe.
The increased connectivity brought by technology has its advantages and disadvantages. There is no particular doubt that individuals are infatuated with the high-tech environment. They have embraced the positive aspects of digital advancements in classrooms, churches, public rallies, amongst others. However, there is a negative side of the overuse or inappropriate utilization of technology. The adverse elements may have long-term and severe consequences. For the society to derive the best outcomes of digital developments they must be aware of the disadvantages (Madianou and Daniel, 177).
The first adverse impact is that technology interferes with the way youngsters think. The digital-related activities change the kid’s brain. A lot of time spent on the technology affects the children’s ability to handle various things and incidences. For instance, even though video and computer games have been attributed to helping the brain respond to several stimuli, they can lead to reduced memory and distractions. The kids may become exceptional at looking for data, but will not remember it (Tomlinson, 84).
The digital advancements also change the way people react or feel. In most occurrences, the technology eliminates the possibility of individuals showing empathy. The lack of face-to-face communication makes persons less sensitive to expression nuances (Madianou and Daniel, 180). The technology especially in new media limits safety and privacy. The young people may share information that could put them in harm’s way. The anonymity that exists on the internet makes it easy for the kids to encounter bullying.
The utilization of new media can result in addiction. Individuals find themselves spending countless hours on the social networks. The cravings divert them from performing other essential tasks. They may also rely too much on technology instead of expertise and practical knowledge. From a brighter perspective, the new media and globalization promote popularity, sharing of opinions, unity, connections with the clients, and international business activities (Madianou and Daniel, 184).
Conclusively, the new media and globalization have become embedded in our lives such that it would be tough to eliminate them. They have given people a way of performing and developing identities. I cannot picture a life without the technologies and social networks. They are fundamental elements of my daily life and provide the opportunity of creating an identity or personal brand that aligns with my interests. They also help me to maintain and build close relationships with loved ones and new people.
Works Cited
Madianou, Mirca, and Daniel Miller. "Polymedia: Towards a new theory of digital media in interpersonal communication." International Journal of Cultural Studies 16.2 (2013): 169- 187.
Tomlinson, John. "Cultural globalization." The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Globalization (2012).
