Is The World Really Becoming A Global Village - Essay Example

s Is The World Really Becoming A Global Village? "After three thousand years of explosion, by means of fragmentary and mechanical technologies, the Western world is imploding. During the mechanical ages we had extended our bodies in space. Today, after more than a century of electric technology, we have extended our central nervous system itself in a global embrace, abolishing both space and time as far as our planet is concerned. Rapidly, we approach the final phase of the extensions of man - the technological simulation of consciousness, when the creative process of knowing will be collectively and corporately extended to the whole of human society, much as we have already extended our senses and our nerves by the various media." (Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man, 1964) Introduction To address the question ‘Is the world really becoming a global village?’ this paper will firstly deal with the term “Global Village”, and the different interpretations of this contemporary concept. Then, through reflecting on the recent advancements in modern technology, consideration will be given to how this has affected media and communication, the tourist industry, economy, international crime, and trade. Finally, the paper will discuss different social, political, religious, and ethnic worldviews, and the challenges that are presented to mankind through recent technologic advances. Our Changing World: “Postliterate mans electronic media contract the world to a village or tribe where everything happens to everyone at the same time: everyone knows about, and therefore participates in, everything that is happening the minute it happens. Television gives this quality of simultaneity to events in the global village” (Edmund Carpenter, Marshall McLuhan, Explorations in Communication: An Anthology, 1960). That the world has experienced a technical revolution, and continues to do so, few would question. Technological progress, especially during the past thirty years, has changed both our world-view and our way of living, as time and distance has become almost a thing of the past. Technical advances, similar to those portrayed in science-fiction films or novels, have revolutionized the life styles of millions of people across the globe and seemingly shrunk our planet. The buzz word that accompanies this technological explosion is “globalization” or, “global village”. According to the New Oxford Dictionary, the word global means of, or relating to, and the world village signifies “a self-contained district or community. In this form, therefore, the expression is being used to describe a world that appears to be so much smaller today, due to the fact that the planet’s different people groups are able to communicate on a level never before seen in the history of the human race. Today we can shop world-wide; we can work from home for a company on the other side of the world; we can know what is happening throughout the globe almost instantaneously; we can learn, research, and study any given subject; we can conduct business on an international level, and we can chat with those from different cultures. Modern advancements in satellite technology have meant cell phones, international television, and cyberspace – to name just a few. This incredible advancement in technology has meant huge changes in the way we perceive the world and others – apparently helping us to break down misunderstanding and fear of unknown cultures and religions and, therefore, leading us towards a one world order. But does all of this really mean that we’re becoming, or have already become, a global village? Does advancement in modern technology necessarily mean that we are becoming a community of people? Has, or even can, technology bring countries of different races, belief systems, political structures, and laws, together as a world community? Our Changing World: “Bin Laden may have denounced the forces of modernity with great conviction, but the smooth operation of his entire organization was entirely dependent on advanced forms of technology developed in the last two decades of the 20th century” (Manfred B. Steger, Globalization: A Very Short Introduction, 2003). That the world has changed, and continues to change at an ever-increasing speed, is clear. We are modern people living in a scientific world, where we think nothing of surfing the net, completing business transactions on-line, shopping the International market or chatting with someone on the other side of the Globe. We expect to hear news as its taking place in some remote corner of the world, having almost forgotten that not so distant past when communication was often difficult, sometimes impossible. The Internet, however, is just one example of how technological advances have completely revolutionized the way we live. Europe, in 1870, was as poor as many of today’s third-world countries, life expectancy was twenty years shorter, and infant mortality was more that double. However, due to European and International trade agreements, and the industrial revolution, that all began to change. And, by 1950, the European economy had quadrupled, life expectancy had increased, and infant mortality had been reduced by a dramatic 85%. The Europeans were on their way to abolishing poverty. They had globilized. Since WWII, globalization has been driven by the continuing advances in technology, and the understanding that individual nations can not deal with the planet’s problems alone. Degradation of the natural environment, which include examples such as water pollution, over-fishing in the world’s oceans, and global warming; the need to deal with international terrorist networks and the parallel objective of implementing world peace; and the mutual benefits that world trade and finance present, have all necessitated the creation of new global institutions. There has also been tremendous changes in political structures; the end of the Cold War, the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, and the political and economic union of the European Community. Global organizations, such as NATO, the UN and the World Bank, have come into being. And the fight against terrorism is being fought on an international level as world leaders try to steer the world towards peace, tolerance and mutual understanding. And yet as we look back over the 20th Century, infamous for its bloodshed and loss of life, can we really believe that modern technology is helping us to become better people – to truly love our neighbours? Is this advancement in world news, international television, and communication to the masses really breaking down racial barriers, religious intolerance and misunderstanding? In 2002, the Global Scenario Group (GSG), which was an environmental research and forecasting organization, formally presented the results of an extensive study concerning future globalization, in an essay entitled, “Great Transition: The Promise and Lure of the Times Ahead”. It indicates that “civilization is currently at a turning point, entering a Planetary Phase of Civilization in which different values regarding the environment, human well-being, and global justice might lead to different scenarios for future development” (Paul Raskin, et al., 2002). A Global Village – But At What Price? “Can we claim to have composed the elusive melody that brings neighbor into harmony with neighbor? Whatever that melody may be, it was woefully unsung in the villages of Bosnia, where the people had long been able to talk to each other unimpeded. The grounds are tenuous indeed for thinking that proper electronic links were the critical, missing elements in villages subsequently shattered by the shrill dissonance of a hatred long inaudible even to its owners” (Praxagora.com, Online Article, 2007). The world is becoming more and more connected. Gone are the days when could have no real understanding of our Muslim neighbours, of foreign traditions, customs and beliefs. The European Community is growing, accepting those with different values, traditions and creeds, as it opens its boarders to those who just a few years ago were viewed with suspicion and mistrust. But Europe is just one part of the world – and Europe is not without its problems as people illegally cross boarders in hope of a better life. The majority of the world is still separated politically, economically, and culturally. People still fear the unknown, change, and those who look at the world with different perceptions and beliefs to theirs. War still rages, international crime continues, terrorist acts murder innocent people on a daily basis, and we still haven’t been able to feed the world. Why does the Western world think it has anything to offer? It was not so long ago that the West smiled to itself when hearing reports telling of Chinese and Russians donning blue jeans and bopping to rock music. Somehow everyone knew that this meant that we were winning. And, perhaps, some of that confidence was justified – after all we are constantly penetrating the “enemy” through modern media, television, cinema, and the Internet. However, is the imposing of our brave new world really the best possible outcome? In time, perhaps, these barriers will be broken down as modern technology is implemented with physical networks, opening up new channels of communication. But at what price? Is man really capable of moving forwards without destroying cultures, traditions, and belief systems? Will we crush ethnic groups by enforcing our worldview in the name of progress? A look back at history doesn’t allow for much hope, and yet we must forge ahead if we are serious about becoming an international community that allows equality and the liberty of all mankind. References Great Transition: The Promise and Lure of the Times Ahead, PAUL RASKIN, TARIQ BANURI, GILBERTO GALLOPÍN, PABLO GUTMAN, AL HAMMOND, ROBERT KATES, ROB SWART. A report of the Global Scenario Group, 2002. Information retrieved 24/24/2007. < http://www.tellus.org/seib/publications/Great_Transitions.pdf> Edmund Carpenter - editor, Marshall McLuhan - editor. Explorations in Communication: An Anthology. Publisher: Beacon Press. Place of Publication: Boston. Publication Year: 1960. Page Number: xi. Manfred B. Steger - author. Globalization: A Very Short Introduction. Publisher: Oxford University Press. Place of Publication: Oxford. Publication Year: 2003. Page Number: 2. Marshall Mcluhan – author. Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: London. Publication Year: 2001. Page Number: 3. Praxagora.com, Online Article, Do We Really Want a Global Village? 2007. Information retrieved 24/04/2007. < http://www.praxagora.com/stevet/fdnc/ch09.html> Read More