Globalisation
in our daily lives
Looking at globalisation in blogs:
our thoughts, hopes and concerns
English-LK-Ventzki September 19
our thoughts, hopes and concerns
English-LK-Ventzki September 19
The authors of the blogs guarantee that they have abided by copyright laws.
Posts reflect the opinion of the corresponding author and not necessarily the opinion of the BBG as an institution or the publisher of this book.
And yes... there are still some language mistakes to be found and some passages might appear superficial.
Nevertheless, I think, the students have done an awesome job and - most importantly - have learned and understood a lot!
We need to get active - now! We should take advantage of the opportunities globalisation provides to deal with the challenges that go with this unstoppable process.
So though the students of course received a commented and corrected version of their blogs, let us not focus on language mistakes but on contents.
Nevertheless, I think, the students have done an awesome job and - most importantly - have learned and understood a lot!
We need to get active - now! We should take advantage of the opportunities globalisation provides to deal with the challenges that go with this unstoppable process.
So though the students of course received a commented and corrected version of their blogs, let us not focus on language mistakes but on contents.
And yes... there are still some language mistakes to be found and some passages might appear superficial.
Nevertheless, I think, the students have done an awesome job and - most importantly - have learned and understood a lot!
We need to get active - now! We should take advantage of the opportunities globalisation provides to deal with the challenges that go with this unstoppable process.
So though the students of course received a commented and corrected version of their blogs, let us not focus on language mistakes but on contents.
Nevertheless, I think, the students have done an awesome job and - most importantly - have learned and understood a lot!
We need to get active - now! We should take advantage of the opportunities globalisation provides to deal with the challenges that go with this unstoppable process.
So though the students of course received a commented and corrected version of their blogs, let us not focus on language mistakes but on contents.
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Chapter 1Loading...
individual blogs and commentsGlobalisation
Today I would like to talk about globalisation...
I know, I know, It´s already all over the media and you might be sick and tired of reading about it, but let´s be honest... Do we actually know what exactly globalisation is ?
Well I did not, until I researched a little bit and while doing so I came across the following definition:
I know, I know, It´s already all over the media and you might be sick and tired of reading about it, but let´s be honest... Do we actually know what exactly globalisation is ?
Well I did not, until I researched a little bit and while doing so I came across the following definition:
Globalisation is a situation in which available goods an services, or social and cultural influences gradually become similar in all parts of the world.
We will lose our various cultural identities through westernization; Western culture serves as an example for many countries, especially through the entertainment industry, for example movies.
A study by Michelle C. Pautz, an associate professor of political science at the University of Dayton (US), suggests films can act as an influence. In this case test subjects were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their views on government before and after viewing movies that illustrate a positive image of the American government. The study has shown about 25 % of the participants changed their opinion towards their government— and generally more favorably.
But it´s not only about politics, but also the high school movies I love so much, may influence our mindset as far as taking the pretty cheerleader or the strong quarterback as a role model. We might even identify with the "outcast" that is usually smart, has a great personality and gets their love interest in the end. But truth to be told It would be really sad if we all run around in mini skirts, while swinging pompons around. If that were to come true, were would our cultural essence go ?
(https://op-talk.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/how-movies-can-change-our-minds/)
A study by Michelle C. Pautz, an associate professor of political science at the University of Dayton (US), suggests films can act as an influence. In this case test subjects were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their views on government before and after viewing movies that illustrate a positive image of the American government. The study has shown about 25 % of the participants changed their opinion towards their government— and generally more favorably.
But it´s not only about politics, but also the high school movies I love so much, may influence our mindset as far as taking the pretty cheerleader or the strong quarterback as a role model. We might even identify with the "outcast" that is usually smart, has a great personality and gets their love interest in the end. But truth to be told It would be really sad if we all run around in mini skirts, while swinging pompons around. If that were to come true, were would our cultural essence go ?
(https://op-talk.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/how-movies-can-change-our-minds/)
So the world keeps getting more interweaved everday in various aspects and I´m not s sure what to think about it. You see I´m aware that there are always pros and cons for every topic but when I hear globalisation I can only see the negative consequences of it...
Of course becomig more similar to each other helps understanding people from other culture circles than you own.
Naturally information and technology spread more easily, as we are all connected.
Yes, there is a global market that enables lower prices for the stuff we buy, higher profit for companies and more job opportunities for us.
I see all of that, I even love the entertainment part of globalisation. For example there are so many American movies I enjoy watching while stuffing my mouth with popcorn, especially the cheesy high school one with cheerleaders, football players, nerds and the so called ugly ducklings.
Of course becomig more similar to each other helps understanding people from other culture circles than you own.
Naturally information and technology spread more easily, as we are all connected.
Yes, there is a global market that enables lower prices for the stuff we buy, higher profit for companies and more job opportunities for us.
I see all of that, I even love the entertainment part of globalisation. For example there are so many American movies I enjoy watching while stuffing my mouth with popcorn, especially the cheesy high school one with cheerleaders, football players, nerds and the so called ugly ducklings.
But it is dangerous! Globalisation honestly scares me.
Have you actually thought about what we lose ?!
We are losing our cultural identities, our privacy, our humanity, OUR PLANET...
This might have come across too strong, so allow me to explain my opinion to you:
Have you actually thought about what we lose ?!
We are losing our cultural identities, our privacy, our humanity, OUR PLANET...
This might have come across too strong, so allow me to explain my opinion to you:
Our privacy is lost by simply using social media and the internet that connects us all. I mean who doesn´t know it; when you "google" places to go to for your vacation, the next ad you´ll get is from a travel agency. Google collects the data it receives from us, which means our personal data must be saved somewhere on a server, but what if this one gets hacked ?
Our personal data would be available for someone or worse more people, who we did not want to share these information with.
Not that this really matters, as we already give our data away ourselves. As the nosy person I am, of course I have looked up one or two persons before. Everbody does that, so why not ? In the case of my host mother I looked up before an exchange year in the US, even her address could be found after thoroughly searching, which was really scary to me. See what social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram etc. are able to do to us ?
Our personal data would be available for someone or worse more people, who we did not want to share these information with.
Not that this really matters, as we already give our data away ourselves. As the nosy person I am, of course I have looked up one or two persons before. Everbody does that, so why not ? In the case of my host mother I looked up before an exchange year in the US, even her address could be found after thoroughly searching, which was really scary to me. See what social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram etc. are able to do to us ?
Name: Léonie
We will lose our various cultural identities through westernization; Western culture serves as an example for many countries, especially through the entertainment industry, for example movies.
A study by Michelle C. Pautz, an associate professor of political science at the University of Dayton (US), suggests films can act as an influence. In this case test subjects were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their views on government before and after viewing movies that illustrate a positive image of the American government. The study has shown about 25 % of the participants changed their opinion towards their government— and generally more favorably.
But it´s not only about politics, but also the high school movies I love so much, may influence our mindset as far as taking the pretty cheerleader or the strong quarterback as a role model. We might even identify with the "outcast" that is usually smart, has a great personality and gets their love interest in the end. But truth to be told It would be really sad if we all run around in mini skirts, while swinging pompons around. If that were to come true, were would our cultural essence go ?
(https://op-talk.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/how-movies-can-change-our-minds/)
A study by Michelle C. Pautz, an associate professor of political science at the University of Dayton (US), suggests films can act as an influence. In this case test subjects were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their views on government before and after viewing movies that illustrate a positive image of the American government. The study has shown about 25 % of the participants changed their opinion towards their government— and generally more favorably.
But it´s not only about politics, but also the high school movies I love so much, may influence our mindset as far as taking the pretty cheerleader or the strong quarterback as a role model. We might even identify with the "outcast" that is usually smart, has a great personality and gets their love interest in the end. But truth to be told It would be really sad if we all run around in mini skirts, while swinging pompons around. If that were to come true, were would our cultural essence go ?
(https://op-talk.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/how-movies-can-change-our-minds/)
Our privacy is lost by simply using social media and the internet that connects us all. I mean who doesn´t know it; when you "google" places to go to for your vacation, the next ad you´ll get is from a travel agency. Google collects the data it receives from us, which means our personal data must be saved somewhere on a server, but what if this one gets hacked ?
Our personal data would be available for someone or worse more people, who we did not want to share these information with.
Not that this really matters, as we already give our data away ourselves. As the nosy person I am, of course I have looked up one or two persons before. Everbody does that, so why not ? In the case of my host mother I looked up before an exchange year in the US, even her address could be found after thoroughly searching, which was really scary to me. See what social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram etc. are able to do to us ?
Our personal data would be available for someone or worse more people, who we did not want to share these information with.
Not that this really matters, as we already give our data away ourselves. As the nosy person I am, of course I have looked up one or two persons before. Everbody does that, so why not ? In the case of my host mother I looked up before an exchange year in the US, even her address could be found after thoroughly searching, which was really scary to me. See what social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram etc. are able to do to us ?
Name: Léonie
Our humanity is lost by buying, buying and even more buying: Economic Globalisation.
Logically we as consumers compare different prices of the same goods to find the most low priced ones. Who offers these cheap products ? Yes global players do. These are large international corporations, that produce their goods in other countries, where the procedure is less expensive.
Look inside the tags of your clothes for example...
What does it say ? "Made in China" ?, "Made in Indonesia" ? or "Made in Bangladesh" ?
Sure, producing there is convenient for large companies, but this often leads to horrendous working conditions, with many workers still not being able to afford basic essentials, and the use of child labour.
For instance in 2014 , 1,138 garment workers lost their lives in the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory complex in Bangladesh. Pressure to improve terms and conditions there was immense and as wages rose in Bangladesh, companies looked elsewhere to keep costs down.
In Ethiopia, for instance, wages average just a third of the rates paid in Bangladesh. Rates of less than $7 (6,29€) per week are typical.
The scary part that makes us lose our humanity is the fact that we all know that things like this are happenig, but we still do not change our livestyles.
I´m not doing it either, because I am not feeling the consequences yet, when I´m standing in the supermarket, simply buying the cheaper chocolate bar.
(https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49248921)
Logically we as consumers compare different prices of the same goods to find the most low priced ones. Who offers these cheap products ? Yes global players do. These are large international corporations, that produce their goods in other countries, where the procedure is less expensive.
Look inside the tags of your clothes for example...
What does it say ? "Made in China" ?, "Made in Indonesia" ? or "Made in Bangladesh" ?
Sure, producing there is convenient for large companies, but this often leads to horrendous working conditions, with many workers still not being able to afford basic essentials, and the use of child labour.
For instance in 2014 , 1,138 garment workers lost their lives in the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory complex in Bangladesh. Pressure to improve terms and conditions there was immense and as wages rose in Bangladesh, companies looked elsewhere to keep costs down.
In Ethiopia, for instance, wages average just a third of the rates paid in Bangladesh. Rates of less than $7 (6,29€) per week are typical.
The scary part that makes us lose our humanity is the fact that we all know that things like this are happenig, but we still do not change our livestyles.
I´m not doing it either, because I am not feeling the consequences yet, when I´m standing in the supermarket, simply buying the cheaper chocolate bar.
(https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49248921)
Furthermore we support the environmental downhill by polluting the earth. Take the ocean for example. The plastic we throw away might end up in it someday, and there it is going to turn into micro plastics by decomposing slowly. The tiny plastic particles are incredably damging to the sea life.
What also happens is a lot is animals dying by filling their stomach with plastic. There are enough pictures to prove that and I´m sure there are already some in your head...
(https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/how-does-plastic-end-ocean)
What also happens is a lot is animals dying by filling their stomach with plastic. There are enough pictures to prove that and I´m sure there are already some in your head...
(https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/how-does-plastic-end-ocean)
Something that let´s us already feel its aftermath is ecological globalisation. Remember we are in the process of losing our planet and a very prominent example is obviously the climate change and the pollution of our earth.
The environment is a sake and still, econmic seems to be more important. Greenland's massive ice sheet may have melted by a record amount this year, scientists have warned. During 2019 alone, it lost enough ice to raise the average global sea level by more than a millimetre. Researchers say they're "astounded" by the acceleration in melting and fear for the future of cities on coasts around the world. One glacier in southern Greenland has thinned by as much as 100 metres since it was last filmed on it back in 2004.
Our wasteful lifestyle of us lets the glaciers slowly melt, which will ulitmately drown us. Less space to live on for a steadily growing population is awesome, don´t you agree ?
(https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49483580?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cmj34zmwm1zt/climate-change&link_location=live-reporting-story)
The environment is a sake and still, econmic seems to be more important. Greenland's massive ice sheet may have melted by a record amount this year, scientists have warned. During 2019 alone, it lost enough ice to raise the average global sea level by more than a millimetre. Researchers say they're "astounded" by the acceleration in melting and fear for the future of cities on coasts around the world. One glacier in southern Greenland has thinned by as much as 100 metres since it was last filmed on it back in 2004.
Our wasteful lifestyle of us lets the glaciers slowly melt, which will ulitmately drown us. Less space to live on for a steadily growing population is awesome, don´t you agree ?
(https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49483580?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cmj34zmwm1zt/climate-change&link_location=live-reporting-story)
Name: Léonie
Name: Léonie
Furthermore we support the environmental downhill by polluting the earth. Take the ocean for example. The plastic we throw away might end up in it someday, and there it is going to turn into micro plastics by decomposing slowly. The tiny plastic particles are incredably damging to the sea life.
What also happens is a lot is animals dying by filling their stomach with plastic. There are enough pictures to prove that and I´m sure there are already some in your head...
(https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/how-does-plastic-end-ocean)
What also happens is a lot is animals dying by filling their stomach with plastic. There are enough pictures to prove that and I´m sure there are already some in your head...
(https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/how-does-plastic-end-ocean)
Of course I´m not atempting to generelize, surely we are all trying to fight the negative effects of globalisation in our own way, but I am still suggesting that this is not enough, so we all need to start changing our mentality first.
All I hope is that my blog is going to be an impulse in the right direction, especially for myslef too.
All I hope is that my blog is going to be an impulse in the right direction, especially for myslef too.
Thank you, for reading until the end.
Name: Léonie
Globalisation From A Student's POV
The phenomenon of westernisation is summed up and becomes very vivid in this short story about a butterfly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeXvtz0_Ex0
As opposed to the negative aspects of this process, I'm certain that at the same time aspects like knowledge, (cultural) exchange and innovations are the key to solving environmental problems.
My fears and hopes are probably not far off from anyone else's..
I think it is good that we people always have something to strive towards -new goals and dreams- for centuries we've been situated in a constant state of development. And globalisation allows us to do so.
Without it, cultural exchange e.g. in form of a semester abroad never would have been possible for me. Thanks to technological advance I'm able to stay in touch with friends from all over the globe.
I think it is good that we people always have something to strive towards -new goals and dreams- for centuries we've been situated in a constant state of development. And globalisation allows us to do so.
Without it, cultural exchange e.g. in form of a semester abroad never would have been possible for me. Thanks to technological advance I'm able to stay in touch with friends from all over the globe.
Name: Sara
