Hmmm.... Cultural Imperialism, what does that mean?

the practice of promoting, distinguishing, separating, or artificially injecting the culture or language of one culture into another. It is usually the case that the former belongs to a large, economically or militarily powerful nation and the latter belongs to a smaller, less important one. Just like what you see on the picture on your right... A chinese man from Beijing (according to the background, haha!), wearing a Cowboy clothes (US culture), smoking malboro cigarette (US brand). China guy becoming like an ang mohs? Hmmm...

Fine, but why AMERICANs? Why not other countries?

Try travelling almost everywhere in the world! And you realized that even if you are suffering from habitual Big Mac cravings or cringe at the thought of missing the newest episode of MTV’s The Real World, your Ameican tastes can be satisfied practically everywhere!

When it comes to cultural imperialism, no one will forget the example of the "Macdonald"...

Macdonald is the most suitable example to the definition of Cultural Imperialism..

For your information, Macdonald already has over 30,000 restuarants located over more than 100 different countries all over the world of different cultures... AMAZING isn't it?

Won't you wish to be the boss of Macdonald? Freaking rich can! Zzzzz....

That's all about Cultural Imperialism? *Chey*

OF COURSE NOT!! It involves much more than simple consumer goods! It involves the dissemination of American principles, such as freedom and democracy. The process might sound appealing on the surface however many cultures around the world are gradually disappearing due to the overwhelming influence of corporate and cultural America.

Just like in history one of the first known example of the cultural imperialism was the extinction the Etruscan culture and language caused by the influence of the Roman Empire

The Greek culture built gyms, theatres and public baths in places that its adherents conquered, with the effect that the populations became immersed in that culture.

The spread of the Greek language was also another large factor in this immersion.

What?! But how does this Cultural Imperialism happen?!

For our time now, Mass Media holds a VERY big responsibility in this, of course with the use of the human brains as well. In order to effectively advertise their products, cultures, etc. to other countries, the Americans are smart enough to come out with even more successful global strategy.

Another great example is the Coca Cola company:

"I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony, I'd like to buy the world a Coke to keep it company..."

I think they are really smart. Making use of 'consumerism' to achieve world peace huh...

*Awwwww* Will our country be 'westernized' one day too? =(

Well, all I could say is, it all depend on us! Whether will one day Singapore become just like America, it all depend how each one of us think & behave. It is definitely alright to welcome different kinds of cultures. Learning up enhance our knowledge about different people in our world, but that doesn't mean we should follow exactly how they behave! And slowly become them!

Just like what our parents used to say, "Don't learn the BAD things, learn the GOOD ones instead!".

Yupe that's all Folks, Please leave comments for me. Thank You! =)

Labels: All into you or none?

Tthere are actually many accounts of why Paduang practices such custom:


1. Their own mythology explains that in the past, the ghost & soul felt dissatisfied with the tribe so they sent tigers out to attack the tribe people. So in order to save the women, in turn save the tribe from 'extinction', women were made to wear GOLDEN (back then) rings around their necks to protect the tiger from biting through their necks.

2. Some others explained that Paduang women have to do this to make them less attractive so less likely to be captured by the slave traders.

3. The most common explanation is that the Paduang tribe thinks that having an extra long neck is considered a sign of great beauty and wealth hence they will be able to attract better husband.


4. However, the reason that this practice still continues till today is for TOURISM....

----------

Can you see how time changes the purpose and the reason of a particular practice? Though the culture is passed down the generations, the purpose of it may change.

Even if we 'Normal' humans think that it is really weird with long neck, the Paduang continues their cultural belief of the benefits of long neck. They believe what their ancestors told them are true, as if their minds have been programmed to think that way.

----------

Need not to say, the Paduang belongs to the collectivist culture... Some points to prove why:

1. In the Paduang tribe, men tend to depend on the women more. Tourists are actually paying the village to go in so that they get to view the 'long neck' women. The women earn most of their income through tourism.

Labels: What does your culture tells you to be?

Labels: It is about having the right group to form a right individual

Labels: When it remains unsaid.

Labels: Korean Extreme Dance Comedy

Loves in the HEAD not HEART...

Came across this article talking about Love. Thought it would be interesting to blog about this topic since "VALENTINE's Day" is just around the corner. =)

The heading of this article some how made me curious what it is about.

I think most people, like me, will associate 'love' with our feelings, emotions, and all these linked us to the 'heart' and not of the 'brain'. However, this article has another say about it.

Various Researchers & neuroscientists all across New York & some other countries did researches and experiments and came out with the hypothesis that "source of love is in the head not in heart and this can be understood through brain images, hormones and genetics"

Experiments were done on newly in love people putting them in a functional magnetic resonance imaging machine and shown pictures of their beloved. VTA, brain's circuit of love, lit up.

One of the researches even found out that Love actually works chemically in brain like a drug addiction. It is also because our brain produces a particular chemical that's why certain people are attracted to each other.

Researches are done on those heartbroken and the results actually showed more evidences associated with addiction, or to some researches, craving, similar to the drug cocaine.

Scientists said the primarily part of a larger effort spent on these studies aimed at understanding and how possibly treating social-interaction conditions such as autism. Scientists believe that these researches could eventually lead to pills based on the brain hormones which, with therapy, might help troubled relationships, although there are ethical issues.

Scientists now know better how to keep those love circuits lit and the chemicals flowing. And because romantic love theoretically can be simulated with chemicals, SO to ALL people out there facing some relationship issues with your partner, if you really want, you know, to get the relationship spark back, then engage in the behavior that stimulates the release of these chemicals and allow them to stimulate the emotions! hehehehe.....

Well, I hope all these are enough of what this article and I is trying to bring across. Maybe you can think about it next time when you go dating with your beloved ones or when you see any guy/girl you are interested in, what triggers that feeling in you when you see them? Still solely on the effects of your 'fast-pounding' heart beat? Hee...

This article is very much on Psychology though, but somehow I think communication and psychology have very much of a link between each other. Haha!

Think about it. =)

Labels: Love is in the AIR. LoL.