Whilst examining the link between media,
globalization and culture, Rantanen in his article Theorizing media and globalization (2005) identified numerous
definitions of the term Globalization.
M. Waters as cited by Rantanen (2005)
defined Globalization as “the social process in which the constraints of
geography on social and cultural arrangements recede” (Rantanen, T 2005).
Simply put, my definition of globalization
is this, the world at your door.
But how exactly is the world at your door?
Obviously my definition is meant metaphorically, by which I define
globalization as other cultures, their information and their media influencing
your part of the world.
Personally, I consider that the greatest
example of globalization and media can be observed through cuisine.
Using food as an example, one of the
earliest forms of globalization could be considered “migrating birds” (Thompson, J 2009); Birds that have eaten seeds and transported them around to other
parts of the globe, spreading new plants, foods, spices etc. (Thompson, J 2009).
Image Source: DeeDeeFlower, Italian Food
‘Pizza Pie, FanPop.
All these foods originated from another
country, and with growing media technologies, all the recipes for these foods
have become increasingly accessible.
Watch this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXuaglNcOJA
Congratulations, you now know how to cook traditional Italian cuisine. This
video identifies two flows of globalization. The first being physical flow,
which refers to the “movement of people across national boundaries” (Srivastava,
S 2005-2010, Warren, B 2011, Moore, C 2012-2013). The chef in this video is
Italian, working and living in the United States. The second flow identified is
the cultural flow that refers “skills, beliefs and practices that move and
travel around the world” (Srivastava, S 2005-2010, Warren, B 2011, Moore, C
2012-2013). The chef is preparing the meal according to traditional Italian
practices and skills that he learned from his origins in Italy, representing in its own way a cultural identity. This representation of globalization can
also be witnessed on many network channels that regularly host international
cuisine recipes and chefs.
Surely now you must feel a global presence at
your front door?
David Macardy
Citations:
Srivastava, S (2005-2010) Warren, B (2011)
Moore, C (2012-2013) ‘The Flows and Scapes of Globalization’. Accessed 25th
July 25, 2013.
Rantanen, T. (2005) ‘Theorizing media and
globalization’, The Media and Globalization, Sage, London, pp. 1-18.
Thompson, J 2009, 'Discourses of Change: Food and the Rhetoric
of Globalization', Conference Papers -- National Communication Association, p.
1, Communication & Mass Media Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 25 July 2013.
External Links:
Image Citation:
DeeDeeFlower, Italian Food ‘Pizza Pie,
FanPop. <http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/italian-food/images/19538837/title/pizza-pie-wallpaper>
I really enjoyed reading this and your connections with food through globalisation. I think a lot of people forget that without some form we wouldn't have many of these foods. Also, I think Waters' definition suited what you were explaining very well. Your definition of “the world at your door” is very true and actually made me think about how it applied to me in regards to food. I commend you on using so many sources for your first post and even including a video. Your use of connection between two different flows was well put and coincided nicely together.
ReplyDeleteHi David, Your tie in to food was very clever and the way you explained it was very thorough and easy to understand. I really liked your simple definition of globalisation being "the world at your door". It actually helped me to tie a few things together myself. Well done for including a video, they are always interesting. Again, the topic of food really allowed you to explain yourself well and also connecting the physical and cultural flows with Italian food. Well done! I will definitely be looking out for your blog
ReplyDeleteThis blog post was really interesting to read. I always considered the link between globalisation and food to be that if I wanted Italian/Chinese/Turkish or any other food from another culture then all I had to do was go down to the local restaurant that served those culturally specific foods, which you touched on briefly by talking about the Italian chef working in America, but your analysis that we can access the recipes online and become 'global chefs' ourselves, if you will, was a very astute perspective.
ReplyDeleteYour inclusions of images and links were very well and thoroughly done and definitely added to my reading of your blog. The conversational tone of your writing is engaging, although, I think the paragraphs could be a little more structured.
Finally, your metaphor for globalisation was articulated very well: simple yet all-encompassing.
Excellent first blog post!