Cultural Homogenization and the Internet - Research Paper Example

20 January Cultural Homogenization and the Internet Introduction: The Internet plays a very important role in everyday life for both personal and professional growth. It is a global inter-connection of networks mainly intended for communication, entertainment and education. Internet use affects culture in numerous ways, paving way to cultural homogenization. Cultural homogenization is “a process by which smaller, more localized cultures disappear in favor of more popular, global cultures, until there remains only one global culture” (We are Borg: Cultural Homogenization and Social Media par.3). Since internet enables people of various cultural backgrounds to intermingle easily across the globe, it tends to form one uniform culture. Over a period of time, “popular cultural artifacts supersede the individual cultures, unpopular artifacts disappear, and the cultures resemble each other more” (par.3). Globalization, social media and internet can be perceived as the main reasons for cultural homogenization. By and large, the internet has a vast amount of information of anything, which a person can access from anywhere in the world. For e.g. A Mexican recipe is easily available to an Indian and vice versa. Cultural homogenization is unstoppable in this internet age. ICT gives a “powerful impetus to this cultural homogenization” (Fairweather & Rogerson 1). Globalization grows in a very fast pace and so does the business, economy and the internet. Since people across all nations have access to the internet, at very cheap rates, they will indulge more frequently in activities such as social networking etc the resulting interaction will facilitate a blending of different cultures. Thus, a new global culture will evolve to replace smaller, individual cultures. Significance of Internet on Culture: The concept of culture includes ideas, language, cuisine, ceremonies, social habits, dress, beliefs, way of life and arts etc of a particular segment of people. There are thousands of cultures worldwide. Cultural homogenization makes these cultures more similar to one another. Thus, it will pave the way for a new global culture. This kind of culture is called as cosmopolitan culture. “One aspect of the internet clearly points to that kind of culture” (Hongladarom 1998). Exclusive insight about various cultures can be easily explored and shared via internet. Before the internet age, it was difficult to obtain information about other cultures unless through books or visiting that particular country. Cultural homogenization makes it possible for a person of one culture to like something of another culture and start to follow it. Cultural homogenization will continuously grow as the content about the cultures grows on the internet. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and blogging sites make it easy to discuss, share and communicate among people of diverse cultures. Internet usage is dominant in both developed and developing countries. This serves as a way to spread cultural ideals. Since English is the universal language of the internet, information is easily comprehended by many cross cultural people. The use of internet by a large number of people has facilitated frequent interaction and the resultant cultural exchange. The Internet could be a “harbinger” to the ideals of “democracy and human rights” in places “where these ideals are not appreciated by the authorities” (Hongladarom 1998). Internet promotes cultural understanding by “enabling people” from different “cultural background and identities under conditions that are conducive to cultural exchange” (Brey 4). Besides, the internet also promotes “cultural fragmentation” by “stimulating the formation of virtual communities and groups organized around” specific “interests, themes or cultural identities” (6). Cultural homogenization is widely considered as a way to improve rather than deter independence, preservation of culture, and general economic conditions. Common culture paves way for shared values and political unity. Development of Fusion cuisine, music, diet and art are the shoots of cultural homogenization. Similarly, the whole world has easy access and watches the same movies, music or reads the same books on the internet because of this. An interesting example of cultural homogenization and internet is the sensational hit of the Korean pop song Gangnam Style. This song claims the highest number of views on YouTube. This would not have been possible without the internet. On the other hand, presently people are familiar with Korean culture and lip synching Korean words. This marks the “the start of a global shift in which the Asia/Pacific region's cultural influence catches up to its economic and political importance, says researcher Dr Stephen Epstein” (Gangnam Style only the Beginning, Says Researcher 2012). This song has stimulated flash mobs and spoof video across the globe even by people who do not understand Korean language. Discussion: Many traditional cultures and customs will start to disappear if cultural homogenization continues to grow on this pace. In addition, new customs will also be formed with this cultural homogenization. “Even fascists argue that that a cultural homogenization would be a boon for our world, and would serve to alleviate many of the racial, cultural strife inherent between separate beliefs and nations” (Fairweather & Rogerson 2). Many tribes and economically backward people who lack internet facility do not participate in this cosmopolitan culture. These groups will be totally discriminated. Irrelevant and subversive material information available on the internet will have a negative effect on the culture. Most people think that the internet changes culture, but some consider it the other way. Cultural homogenization leads to a better understanding among people involved in various disciplines, where cross cultural relationships are required. Business, politics etc are some of such areas. If one has the knowledge about other cultures, caution would be taken not to hurt the customs and practices of other cultures in a social environment. Conclusion: The Internet age is pushing humans towards a future where diverse cultures of the world blend into one common web culture. The internet will further spread on and change human cultures in many ways with technology advancements and increasing usage. It is very important to know the effects it produces so one can minimize the negative effects and augment the positive ones. Knowledge of these effects guarantees that the future holds great promise. The growth of this common cosmopolitan culture will mean a set of shared values, which shall adhere to ideals like democracy, human rights, social equality and liberalism. Though people are likely to change culturally due to the dominance of the internet, the decision to change will ultimately lie with the individual. Works Cited Brey, Philip. Evaluating the Social and Cultural Implications of the Internet. (n.d.). Web. Fairweather, N Ben & Rogerson, Simon. The Problems of Global Cultural Homogenization in a Technologically Dependant World. Troubador Publishing Ltd. 2003. Web. Hongladarom, Soraj. Global Culture, Local Cultures and the Internet: The Thai Example. The Electronic Journal of Communication, Vol.8 No.3 & 4. 1998. Web. We are Borg: Cultural Homogenization and Social Media. A UX State of Mind. 2011. Web. Read More