Cultural Homogenization and the Internet - Research Paper Example

 Cultural Homogenization and the Internet Internet alleviates a platform that allows individuals to socialize and homogenize culture to a greater degree. This improves social life and a wider selection of different culture for most people. Internet has been blamed for changing human values whereas people find it difficult to maintain cultural uniqueness. Through Internet, people from diverse backgrounds can interact globally than in previous human history. It allows people to access information about different cultures that in turn, involves self-reflexivity of cultural homogenization. Cultural homogenization is outlined as emulsifying different cultures into one blended culture that do not recognizes characteristics of other cultures. Through Internet, cultural homogenization has become so evident that many users cease to comprehend its’ underlying message of cultural conformity. Cultural homogenization eliminates unique culture by initiating one blended culture that makes people to think and behave in certain ways. With this in mind, the aim of this research paper is to discuss the impact of internet on cultural homogenization. A research by Gunnell (2007), analyzes the impact of internet use on societies’ structures, values, and culture. The concept of internet as discussed by Gunnell stands out that, this medium provides a powerful framework for interactions among organizations, social economic agents, and individuals. One of the most benefits of the internet is its development of interactions through social networks. As a consequence, this fact strengthens its element of augmenting cultural interchanges among different people from diverse background. Arguably, internet comprises a paradigmatic electronic aspect that form a special community; internet community. This enhances breeding ground of a people conforming to one culture built on interaction processes birthed by internet. Conceptually, culture has been perceived as a framework of norms and values, which predispose individuals to respond to a particular stimulus of culture. Following this, one can regard culture as a system maintained and produced by dynamic meanings of social activities that influences peoples’ actions. In marketing, the increasing use of internet generates share beliefs and values between punters of diverse cultures and places. Internet alleviates homogenization of consumers wants and needs from different regions and countries. Organizations experience a new approach of globalization that is a consequence mix of different cultures. In other words, consumers maintain a global perceptive to maintain some traits elements of their environment. This is evident in adverts in webs where consumers conform to the standards presented in the adverts that a time has exotic images of different cultures and nations. Despite the differences in culture, the adverts promote the underlying message that they believe in same values and global culture and in turn, birth cultural homogenization. The global economy instigates tension and pressure on national cultures to change values to align to the objectives of global economic. The use of internet for commercial and personal benefits has reduced geographical barriers between nations and people as people can communicate effectively than ever before. Internet has transformed organizations by offering sites that cater every need from marketing to stimulating financial growth. As a result, many conform to the underlying message in the sites and forget their cultural identity. Internet has the prospective to influence human actions and perception through linking organizations and people from different locations. Repetitive tasks like gathering information, work, and shopping can be done instantaneously. This increases individual’s perception on the world people and events. Still, its’ access help individuals to exchange information, access government information, find jobs, and access social networks. This propels people to conform into one blended culture that does not recognize diversity of various cultures among people. It reduces significant differences that exist between different cultural groups to superficial culture. It worth noting that, internet has created a platform where people can access any information online. As a result, one can articulate about different cultures and perception about world people. To some extent, many may conform to certain cultures of interest such as western culture despite being from a different culture. There has been a concern that many people conform to western culture in terms of dress code and eventually forgets their unique identity. In such cases, many forget their traditional values but regard abiding to western culture for pleasure. To sum, the internet has transformed the way individuals perceive the culture around them and these changes directly influences societal and personal values. This mirrors the findings of Gunnell (2007), who affirmed that the internet is a powerful tool that influences people’s values and actions. Advanced in technology have revolutionized domination over other cultures. For instance, westerns soap operas, music, and fashion attracts many from all over the world. In this regard, internet has created a platform where its users can access different programs online without the need of accessing it in the TV. Still, one can view and listen to different music that as a consequence, people gain an understanding of what they do not comprehend. Additionally, internet allows people to interact with each other while seeing each other from Skype devices and chat rooms. As a result, this creates a platform of people to socialize with people from different parts of the world’s regardless geographical distance. Additionally, it spreads certain attributes across cultures and the world that may appeal different from other cultures. This contributes to homogenization of culture that allows individuals to behave in similar ways. For instance, online dating has become a concern in the 21st century as many find their life partners in the social networks. This concept deviate some culture’s values as many insist on understanding the person’s background whose one intends to marry. In other instances, some parents arrange for their children marriages. In such cases, it is obvious that internet bleach culture values and making people to reason and perceive things informally. Culture has conceptually believed to change human perceptive through interacting with different people from diverse backgrounds. Specifically, internet is a powerful medium of communication in the 21st century as it offers opportunities to communicate and interact with people from diverse backgrounds. The increasing use of internet generates shared values and beliefs between people of diverse cultures. This augments cultural homogenization where people merged into one uniform culture. The impact of online marketing attempts to reduce cultural differences as in some instances, the advert may constitute of people from different cultures singing. Social networks offer opportunities to interact with others and create the essence of learning cultures. Ultimately, this minimizes the significant element of cultural differences as people socialize with others regardless of their background. Through the internet, people can gather information about other cultures, which to some extent inspires some to conform to certain standards of a particular culture. Reference Gunnell, M. J. (2007). Global cultural values change and the relationship with telecommunications change: A longitudinal analysis. Capella University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, n/a. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/304721552?accountid=45049. (304721552). Read More