Globalization of the past 500 years was a two-sided coin. On one side, it was incredibly beneficial to those in power or the elite. They got access to goods and services from more subordinate areas of the world and profited from them. On other side of the coin was a different story; those who were not in power were taken advantage of. Their goods, services, and manpower were taken from them and used else ware for a “greater cause.”
The concepts behind modern globalization have not changed much from the former description. Yes, we now have access to technologies that connect us with anyone at anytime. Yes, we engage in a kind of hybridized culture where we can identify with different groups and cultures outside our own regions. Yes, we even have instant access to information at our every beckon call. Modern globalization through technology is a badge of progress for our society. However, it is still a blessing to be shared only by the elite.
Democratized societies that follow the lead of the US are the ones that benefit the most from globalization. We get to hold hypnotic devices in our hands as windows to the world. We stand in line for days to covet the most recent model and share with the “world” our excitements and grievances to finally behold it in our clutches. We forget the overworked people of communist factories our US companies outsourced to have the devices created. When we tire of our old toys we forget about the disadvantaged regions were these devices are shipped for recycling, exposing those who could never dream of using these technologies to heavy metal poisoning and other health risks.
We are lucky to be one of the elite. We receive the great privilege of getting to used globalization and its tools to our advantage. I am overjoyed to see how miniblogs like twitter and facebook can expand my classroom practice and professional development. I have looked forward to see how all these tools can be appropriately integrated into my lessons or simply used as a way to self-promote my artwork. Sill, I try not to forget the costs others may be paying for me to have these privileges at my fingertips.
The concepts behind modern globalization have not changed much from the former description. Yes, we now have access to technologies that connect us with anyone at anytime. Yes, we engage in a kind of hybridized culture where we can identify with different groups and cultures outside our own regions. Yes, we even have instant access to information at our every beckon call. Modern globalization through technology is a badge of progress for our society. However, it is still a blessing to be shared only by the elite.
Democratized societies that follow the lead of the US are the ones that benefit the most from globalization. We get to hold hypnotic devices in our hands as windows to the world. We stand in line for days to covet the most recent model and share with the “world” our excitements and grievances to finally behold it in our clutches. We forget the overworked people of communist factories our US companies outsourced to have the devices created. When we tire of our old toys we forget about the disadvantaged regions were these devices are shipped for recycling, exposing those who could never dream of using these technologies to heavy metal poisoning and other health risks.
We are lucky to be one of the elite. We receive the great privilege of getting to used globalization and its tools to our advantage. I am overjoyed to see how miniblogs like twitter and facebook can expand my classroom practice and professional development. I have looked forward to see how all these tools can be appropriately integrated into my lessons or simply used as a way to self-promote my artwork. Sill, I try not to forget the costs others may be paying for me to have these privileges at my fingertips.