Blogs (like this), news, social networks, internet chat-rooms, online gaming, marketplace, job search, grocery shopping, photo-editing, Skype, meetings, the list of convenience it has brought to our lives is inexhaustible.
Yet, mention WWW and people would think "vices" as well. After all, the world wide web is free for all - people of all ages, race or religion..as long as you have a computer and internet access that is. We have long heard of the easy access to pornography, the dangers of the internet chat-room, people dying from gaming day and night without food or sleep, another endless list that comes with the boon of the internet.
However, putting good and bad aside, the internet has definitely brought globalisation to a whole new level! World Wide Web as the name suggests has almost erased all national boundaries and most importantly brought about cultural imperialism.
Just take a look at the youtube (another one of those famous www inventions!) video above. I know you must be laughing, but in your opinion, do you think such behaviour would have been laughed at generations before us? Yes, an example of cultural imperialism is as such. The kind of information that the youths are being exposed to inadvertently effects the culture of our generation today. From our lifestyles to our beliefs, we have been largely influenced especially by the West. (Think Hollywood fashion trends and how premarital sex is glorified in MTVs.) Slowly we do see the youths of today are moving away from the jaded traditions of our elders to embrace such cultures.
Then there's also the people who swoon over the Japanese culture. This would never have been encouraged in the past (especially thanks to WWII in Singapore!). The availibility of Jap anime and being able to travel around the world without having to leave our seats has just contributed to this craze. Examples of the jap culture seen in Singapore would be Cosplay, japanese fasion and a rather large number of students taking up the Japanese language, just to name a few.
Cultural Imperialism usually happens because the more countries like the US have a vast mass media market that penetrates even the WWW thus dominating the scene of the media market. Whether this phonomena is good or bad, it really depends.
Blurring of cultures is definitely a phenomena we see in Singapore especially. However, i think there are limitations to cultural imperialism as mass media are often monitored and censored if necessary by the government. Then again, with WWW, it gets quite hard for the government to control such flow of information to the public.
ReplyDeleteAnother area of cultural imperialism is the extension of scholarships or free training in host countries. There students are immersed in the culture and way of life of the host countries and form bonds and close ties there. Upon return to their country they tend to expouse the cause and lifestyle of their host countries. Could this be the reason behind the free education and scholar ships that are being extended by more and more host countries to the less developed countries? a form of cultural imperialism perhaps.
ReplyDeleteyes that's true. the internet is so readily available to us nowadays, especially the technology-savvy youths. access to all sorts of sources of information will be hard to control both by the government and by parents/guardians alike. the only way i guess is to constantly educate people and instill the correct culture (which is propaganda) by the government and the education sector. haha
ReplyDeleteHin: Hmmm maybe i didnt put cultural imperialism in its proper context enough. Cultural Imperialism is used in the context of media flow..so in terms of scholarships/internships/overseas exchange..it wouldn't be that applicable. However, it is probably a form of how culture goes beyond its boundaries too. what better way to immerse yourself in a culture than to experience it first hand!
ReplyDeleteI think Singapore is already multi-cultural enough as it is! I believe with the advent of the internet, countries are gradually becoming more infused with different cultures and people. Or like Russell Peters joked:"I believe one day all the people in the world will be beige!".,trying to imply that people are crossing national and cultural boundaries. Difference in races or language no longer imposes a significant barrier and the world is opening up to being cosmopolitan.
ReplyDeletehey! hmmm I don't think Russell Peters is really a viable source. but i guess it is true..due to globalisation and technology, people of the world are mixing and countries (esp the more developed ones) are becoming more cosmopolitan. ppl are more aware of the different cultures out there..and to a certain extent get influenced by them. this could also be cultural imperialism
ReplyDeleteCulture has its roots in history and tradition which shape the way we view things and it is this area that we fall short of. With the onset of industralization and globalisation, Singapore is somewhat like a sponge that absorbs the different foreign influences that comes inevitably. Without a strong culture to begin with, these influences may seem radical at first but are soon accepted because there is little to conflict with.
ReplyDeletehaha gosh..i was meaning Russel Peters is a comedian and ISN'T a viable source. apologies!
ReplyDeleteJo: yeah..somehow i feel Singapore lacks a strong foundation in history and culture..probably because we are considered a relatively young nation, coupled with being a multi-national country. cant really put a finger on who Singaporeans really are. But then again i think although we get influenced by other cultures..we don't accept them fully, and it results in a mix of cultures. maybe that is what Singapore is..a culture-mixed society..which makes us, US! (:
apologies if i'm not making much sense..haha.
Thanks for commenting!