Quoting George Orwell here, “most people
that bother with the matter would admit… (The world) is in a bad way” (Orwell,
G 1946). Now of course George Orwell was talking about the English Language
however I am talking about the loss of individualism. I am sure you aware (just
as I am) that everyone is beginning to dress and look alike. Why is this
happening, why are people sacrificing their identity? I suggest a possible
reason is in fact globalization and the media.
Realistically, globalization & media cannot
be accurately discussed without the mentioning of culture or identity. The
numerous existing and emerging social media technologies have really made
Marshall McLuhan’s ‘Global village’ a reality. The notion of course being that
new & developing tools for media and communication have integrated every
culture into one giant community. This would perhaps suggest a loss of identity
for many people in the world, as ones own individualism (or self) becomes
harder to distinguish as cultural heritage becomes diluted across the globe.
This proposes “the phenomenal leaps in
communication technology” (Srivastava,
S 2005-2010, Warren, B 2011, Moore, C 2012-2013) as brought
about by the modernist movement of the nineteenth century, have been creating a
hegemony in society as people sacrifice their individualism to fit in the
dominant social group or trend presiding at the time.
Sampling one current social trend is the Hipster movement.
Watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3xe-Wxio1o
 |
| Image Citation: Popular Culture, Hipsters- A sub and counter culture. <http://psupopculture.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/hipsters-a-sub-and-counter-culture/> |
Social media in its base form is “the
networking of ideas and peoples” (Srivastava,
S 2005-2010, Warren, B 2011, Moore, C 2012-2013), but
what happens when this networking diminishes our individualism, and turns us
all into metaphorical zombies? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n8yg9C6QKA
In one article, it is suggested that we
(the world) are aware of globalization (Kawai, Y 2003) and because of
this “become more conscious of our differences and are expected to relativize
our identities” (Kawai, Y
2003). This is just one aspect of how globalization is
producing “a world that increasingly moves in synch” (Srivastava, S 2005-2010, Warren, B 2011, Moore, C 2012-2013).
So next time you leave the house, don’t
just walk out with a plaid shirt & chinos, or leggings and a knitted sweat.
Be creative. Show some individualism.
David Macardy
Citations:
Kawai, Y 2003, '’English as the Second Official Language of
Japan?’: Globalization, Hegemony of English, and Japanese National Identity',
Conference Papers -- International Communication Association, pp. 1-36,
Communication & Mass Media Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 31 July 2013.
Marshall
McLuhan and Quentin Fiore, The Medium Is the Massage: An Inventory of
Effects (New York, 1967; reprint, San Francisco, 1996)
Orwell, G 1946, 'Politics and the English
language', Horizon, vol. 13, iss. 76 April pp. 252-265
Srivastava, S (2005-2010) Warren, B (2011)
Moore, C (2012-2013) ‘Globalization and its contexts’. Accessed 25th
July 25, 2013.
Image Citation:
Popular Culture, Hipsters- A sub And Counter Culture <http://psupopculture.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/hipsters-a-sub-and-counter-culture/>
Hi David – This is a great blog, really well written, with good use of references, images and links. I found it very easy to follow your argument against the hegemony of fashion conglomerates. Your blog was of particular interest to me as I too addressed the dilution of culture due to globalisation in my blog Global Blogarama. I briefly raise the issue of homogenisation of culture and identity, but I also present the opposing argument. That is, that there is an increasing push by some cultures to retain their uniqueness in a globalised world. Cultural protectionism is the term used to describe actions specifically designed to defend against invasion by other cultures, in order to avoid pollution by non-indigenous elements. Globalisation raises the question … Are different cultures strong enough to maintain their ideals in a US dominated gloabalised media saturated world? And I believe that although North America is still the most powerful influence on culture, they are not the only influence. Collective action and cultural protectionism must be given recognition for the potential preservation of some local identity. And the internet facilitates an awareness of these sub cultures for those prepared to look. So I agree, bring on the individualism, and with that, a tolerance for cultures different to ours, and fight the dilution of culture in our global village.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading more.
Prue
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteThis is always an interesting subject, and I believe it translates around the world too. In London, everyone tends to look the same, particularly in East London, where hipster has been a big trend for years.
I would like to have seen you delve into how the sameness occurs throughout the world and different countries. It would have been interesting to see the channels that this occurs through.
As Prue mentions in the above comment it would have been interesting to see the opposing argument too, whereby people go out of there way to retain individuality, even becoming social outcasts. However, it is only a matter of time before this too becomes a trend, just as the hipster was originally about, 'being different'.
Hey David, Your blog is intriguing and very well written! I find your take on globalisation and the media very refreshing and fascinating. Your observation on globalisation leading to conformity has many valid points; the current ‘hipster’ trend among teens is global, unlike past trends that varied greatly by location. I agree with both Ashleigh and Prue that a look at the opposing side would have been interesting, because as Ash said, those striving to be different also started the Hipster trend. Kawai’s article that suggests that we are consciously attempting to synch our identities, was a good inclusion as it makes us all think about our own lives and whether we are part of this global phenomenon.
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting read. Fashion is a great way of outlining the effects of globalization and the ‘hipster’ movement is a great example of a global phenomenon has grown bigger in the recent years and is indeed a phenomenon we can see all over the world. You included a lot of references and some good visuals which makes the blog feasible for the readers. I would have liked to see some more personal opinions and experiences to distinguish from all the academic material as it for some readers may be too ‘heavy’ to read.