The term 'Global Village', as penned by Marshall McLuhan, was a way to assess how instantaneous techonlogies have cultivated an interconnectedness beyond the borders of nation-states. This global village has 'thrust mankind into a new information age' (Valcanis, 2011), dictated by the huge stream of content that can be dipped into with any device at the users discretion.
The image of a global village is harmonious, almost utopian - a place where cultures and technology collide. However, is that the reality? Are we really living in a global village? Has the world become 'smaller' as a result?
The notion of a 'global village' may be accurate to an extent, as enhanced communication has created a smaller, more accessible world. However, while there remains a chasm between the world's richer and poorer nations, this notion of a 'global village' will remain a social theory as opposed to a practicality.
Reference List:
Aguayo, Beatriz Eugenia Cid. 2008. "Global Villages and Rural Cosmopolitanism: Exploring Global Ruralities." Globalizations 5, no. 4: 541-554. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed July 25, 2012)
VALCANIS, TOM. 2011. "AN IPHONE IN EVERY HAND: MEDIA ECOLOGY, COMMUNICATION STRUCTURES, AND THE GLOBAL VILLAGE." ETC: A Review Of General Semantics 68, no. 1: 33-45. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed July 24, 2012).
Hi Will,
ReplyDeleteI think that you have a valid view on this topic, and many of the blogs I have read seem to have the same view as yourself. As I have just wrote to Caterina Italiano in her blog, I found an interesting site that may give a different view on undeveloped countries being neglected. I have added a hyper link for you. It examines how cell phones are helping people living in poverty. I am sure that a ‘global village’ as a social theory will always be argued. I look forward to reading your future blogs.
REFERENCE:
http://dsc.discovery.com/technology/tech-10/cell-phones-help-nations.html
10 Ways Cell Phones Help People Living in Poverty
Hi Will
ReplyDeleteI found your post really insightful. Your argument that it is a social theory rather than practicality is spot on. Before reading your post I did not think of it like this but you have definitely opened my eyes. I know I personally forget that even though it is such a global medium and has changed the world, there are still many cultures and people who have not been affected because they have never interacted with it. I think it is impossible for globalisation to affect every individual, but what it has changed in some cultures is still huge. Good work on your resources, and incorporating great definitions and points into your post. It is an improvement on your first post, so keep it up!
Hi Will.
ReplyDeleteI like your post, and I think it is clearly written with good references. I suppose the concept of a 'Global Village' does elucidate the image of a perfect harmonious world, because when we think of village we imagine working together and caring. However, I am sure Marshall McLuhan did not use the term in this manner. It was more a way of illustrating the interconnectedness that technology allows, rather than saying technology has or is creating a utopian world. Globalisation is not necessarily an equaliser, nor does it occur at the same time around the world, so of course from a social perspective we will see vast inequalities between first and third world countries.
Hey,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and understanding your views on this topic. Most blogs I have read seem to have a similar viewpoint on this situation. I enjoy how you have added a little bit of history into your blog, explaining how Marshall McLuhan penned the term Global village and then a clear concise explanation of what it is. It gives people who perhaps do not know much about this topic a chance to find out more.
However I do not find this blog easy to read, it is more like a scholarly essay than a blog post, but that is my only criticism of an otherwise very well put together blog!
I find the topic of the Global Village to be an interesting one, cause we often talk about the ‘Developed’ countries as those that have benefited the most from Globalisation and have created, at least with other developed countries a global village. I completely agree with your assessment that it has enhanced the difference between the classes, not necessarily with the Developed and Developing countries, but with in the developed countries as well as not everyone is able to afford these technologies.
ReplyDeleteI really like the way you have written this blog, it is very clear and easy to read.
This post is well-written and informative. It stands out because you express a personal opinion while at the same time drawing on facts from academic sources. Also, you raised questions throughout the post, which made it enjoyable and vivid to read. I like your rather critical approach to the topic, especially at the end of the post, questioning whether it is reality that we live in a global village. You use proper referencing, your grammer is good, and you emphasize important points by using a bold font. One disadvantage, however, is that you don’t make use of links to non-academic sources.
ReplyDelete