April Blog Post

 

I really enjoyed the "Piracy by Patent" article. I have been using Neem tree oil in my garden for a few years. It is one of those "eco-friendly" pesticides that's not 100% artificial chemicals. My mom was the one who found it, and if you apply it regularly, it REALLY helps with pests like flea beetles. These are very tiny bugs that are extremely annoying. It was interesting to be able to link a product I use directly to issues like this. I will not stop using Neem Oil, as it is a very good pesticide, but I will try to order it from producers that aren't bio-pirates. If there are any available in the U.S., hopefully. I am not sure of any local alternatives, but hey! The article on the Local Trap has pointed out how that is not always the best thing either. I found this article particularly interesting as I have fallen DEEP down the pit of the local trap. I was hesitant going in, but the concepts brought up make a lot of sense to me, like the issue of scale and agendas. I still think it is important to look into the amount of miles something travels, like with strawberries. I’m lucky to be where I am, as there are a lot of farms near me with local produce stands. I may not be sure of the sustainability of these farms, but at least I know the food miles have been somewhat limited. As for what local really means, it’s easy to just look up these farms or even drive out to where they are myself. 

 The e-reserve Avoiding the Local Trap argues that the instilled assumption in urban food planning, that local is always good, is faulty. They argue that basing policy off of this assumption can lead to bad decision-making. For example, they argue that local is often used as a goal to accomplish rather than making it the means to a greater goal. They also argue that the local trap can obscure more effective options for enforcing food security. Additionally, data suggests that a local-based method for food security often leads to environmental degradation or greater inequality. I found this argument really interesting as there is this underlying assumption that local food is better, and often this is the case when it comes to quality and nutrition but maybe not food food security. The 2nd e-reserve Piracy by Patent talked about corporate patenting of the neem tree, which made it unusable for the local populations in India. India before globalization had never had patent laws, and the introduction of them, without a generalized understanding of how they worked, caused harm in cases such as the neem tree. Unfortunately, there is no protection for the native use of plants and medicines that are changed and adopted by Western companies. This system bars poorer communities from using once common, local products. The 3rd article, Food Miles, Local Eating, and Community Supported Agriculture: Putting Local Food in its Place, talked about how Food Miles has become a blanket explanation for why people choose to eat locally. However, he said the explanation is more complicated. 

April 22-26 blog

 Avoiding the local trap by Brandon Born and Mark Purcell discusses food systems that adjust to larger scales. The problem with local traps is that it can't hold. Another problem is scale of the food system can conflate the outcome. The article shows ten reasons on why it's best to buy local food. (1) Food that is grown locally tastes better, (2) the produce that is local is better for everyone, (3) there is diversity on local food preserves, (4) there is no GMOs in local food, (5) local family farms are supported by local food, (6) communities can be built by local food, (7) there is open space to local food preserves, (8) the taxes are kept in check, (9) a clean environment and other benefits are supported by local food, and (10) the future relies on local food. Global to Local talks about consumers going towards buying local food. Being an informed consumer, makes you aware on the food and how they're grown. Buying local food tends to be cheaper but better. Joining a community can give you more insight on the food industry. As a worker, you can encourage your workplace by supporting transportation of the public, cut down on waste, and apply standards abroad. For a local citizen, they can create their own community, attend meetings at city councils, and organize cleanups in their neighborhood. For a global citizen, they can create petitions, mobilize voters, have unusual places for registered voters, have your own office to vote, have a phone bank participation, have responses to biased reports, send letters to congress, and have art to express your political views. Piracy by Patent is about the thievery of the neem tree. Essential factors is medicine, toiletries, contraception, timber, fuel, and agriculture. 

13, 14, 57

 

These articles go well with last week's topic - mainly that culture is like a mixing pot. You introduce a different flavor, and both the ingredients and the soup are changed, mostly irreversibly. The McDonalds article is like a bay leaf- they get added to the soup, and they're still recognizably a bay leaf. They add to the soup, in this case Hong Kong's culture, are changed by it in turn. McDonald's added a culture of queuing, but it did nothing to discourage the practice of hovering. It helped to up the cleanliness standards of bathrooms, which I would say is an overall net positive. McDonald's altered some of its practices to better fit into the local culture - just nothing related to the actual food (at least when the article was written). Culturally, the practice of eating burgers with your hands is embraced, and modified by the elderly, who would wrap the wrappers around their hands. I can't say I wouldn't do something similar if I were used to eating with Chopsticks, whether or not it's embarrassing be damned. You can see this as well with the transnational villager's article. To continue the metaphor, it's like taking some soup home for the family. Almost like a culturally and socially loaded remittance, on top of any monetary value packed in as well. However, I do like that Levitt mention the assumption of some Americans that migrants will just transfer their loyalty to their new country. It's not like that, both the migrant and the country are changed a little, but the migrant does not just leave behind where they came from. Just like cultures aren't being turned into carbon copies of the American west - both are changed by the consumption, but neither is erased or overwritten. The article on the decontextualization of Asian religious practices reminded me nothing so much as a butcher cutting off the choice meats to bring out to a customer. It reminds me of the McDonalds article, but instead of a business coming over it's a practice, where much of the religious undertones is cut off, and no single entity is making money off it - or making money at all.

Chapter 13, 14 and 57

 The textbook chapters try to understand questions such as whose culture, is it? Or what modern migration looks like today? Or how does religion function in a globalized world? Chapter 13 illustrates the complex relationship between McDonalds and Hong Kong brought about by globalization. The chapter shows that McDonalds is a western chain, and that the people of Hong Kong have adopted the restaurant into their own culture, replacing afternoon snacks and tea houses with burgers. I think this chapter shows that globalization does evolve culture, but it does not create a homogenous global culture, instead it is nuanced to the persisting culture of the area. Hong Kong has changed the way McDonalds usually operates, with not cleaning up after themselves, and using the fast-food restaurant as a place of socialization rather than eating and leaving quickly. Likewise, in Chapter 14 the author investigates what modern migration looks like with globalization. Due to technology, people can stay in constant contact with their families at home and influence economic and political dynamics from far away. This has angered many Americans, as they believe it interrupts assimilation, but I think it is just a changing form of migration, spearheaded by globalization. It is extremely understandable to want to stay connected to your home country and family. Through these interactions, development can be promoted in underdeveloped countries. Chapter 57 claims that traditional religious practices are fusing with more secular cultures to form things such as meditation, and yoga. Due to these pieces of evidence, it is clear that globalization is exemplifying shared practices across cultures. Yet, each culture uses and practices these shared ideas differently. Though culture is evolving it is not becoming homogeneous, it is rather becoming a nuanced and more influence version of the traditional past. 

Chapter 13, 14, 57

 Chapter 13 talks about how McDonald's have made an impact to other countries. It was discussed in a power point during class. Depending on the country, menu items will be different than the United States. In India, there is no beef on their menus. It's because cows are the sacred animals. One of the big things that is important that cleanliness and sanitation is essential. There was aggressive labor for the workers to scrub the restaurants clean and there would be protest. It's also tough to have the workers show smiles and happiness for the customers. In an interview, customers weren't interested in the congeniality from services.  Chapter 14 discusses about the transnational villagers in the Dominican Republic. There has a movement on transnational migration to the United States. One of the US cities that was involved in this migration is Boston, Massachusetts. Miraflores is a transnational community that has been involved with this migration. A characteristic is that they emerge and endure in social remittances. Another feature is that they can create organizations by themselves. Chapter 57 talks about Asian religious practices. A strategy for these practices is to decontextualized them from religious worldviews. Meditation would be a considered practice. 

Blog 12

     Chapter 13 of the the text book talk about how McDonalds have impacted parts of the world. Hong Kong and its relation with McDonalds was analyzed in reference to the cultural relevance of items on the menu. McDonalds is a typical burger joint in that the menu has a heavy focus on beef products. In Hong Kong such a meal is more  of a snack than an actual meal due to the lack of rice and other traditional items. McDonalds had exchanged some cultural items like birthdays which in Hong Kong, was not celebrated till after the introduction of McDonalds. Chapter 14 discusses the transnational villages in the US. Focusing on Boston, MA there has been a great deal of transnational immigration from the Dominican Republic to a section of Boston called Miraflores. These types of villages pop up in social and economic hardships in their home countries and move to these cultural enclaves. Chapter 57 talks about Asian religions and how they can decontextualize with global religous views. One way this is done is through yoga and meditation. In Hinduism and Buddhism, yoga and meditation are used to connect one with nature. In the modern context both yoga and meditation are used around the world for multiple things. Some of these things are related to psychology, health, well-being, spiritual, and many more. This more modern approach relates to modern thinking of self-awareness and understanding science more than the original religious values of both the Hindu and Buddhist religions

Ch. 59, Kpop, and Globalization

 

The overarching theme in these readings were regarding culture, whether or not it was fear of one dominating the other or just observing how foreign ideas interact with local culture. The article about the "starting culture war" brings up some good points, especially about how instead of certain elements of culture combining into one super-culture, things have started to diversify and separate more. This is just a reaction to the previous era of unprecedented mixing, and how it is extremely easy to communicate ideas and ideologies now. This has resulted in pushback, which can be seen in the rise of populist leaders and things like BREXIT. There will always be some sort of backlash to any perceived issues or lines that cross the "thymotic desires" as the article puts it, or really, anything new. These big corporate companies that push a global culture can also be seen as contributing to this push-back, at least a little. While in Indian IT places, "the global", is a type of communication style and set of skills that can standardized and transferable anywhere. This means it is easier to set up offices in other countries, but that itself can create division. Not everyone is going to be able to the opportunity to learn these skills, like speaking English, to make them easily transferable. As the article says, it takes a certain type of education. That is not to say it is all bad, either, and this cultural shift is just an opening avenue in one industry. In this, globalization is mixing with the country of origin's culture, creating new traditions. It is interesting to see how this has come into play in more creative industries – I would argue that there is a lot less pushback for incorporating new ideas and sounds, as can be seen in KPOP bands like BTS. Any issues more come into play with cultural appropriation, but you see more and more artists trying to be respectful and avoid pushing that hot button issue anyway. 

NPR, Globalization is over, Chapter 59

 Scholars can agree that globalization has had a dramatic impact on culture, economics, politics, etc. However, what they cannot come to an agreement on is how and to what extent globalization has affected these elements. The article The 2010s: The Globalization of Music talks about the numerous benefits globalization has had on the music industry. They talk about how the KPop group BTS has infiltrated the American market and has become immensely popular. They also talk about Rihanna’s song Work, which incorporates her native culture and language, and through her music, she is exposing the West to differing cultures and experiences. This Podcast talked a lot about the benefits of globalization and how it has allowed different cultures and languages to be brought to all people around the world. Also, they claim that genre has basically been wiped out as people can access any music at any time, from around the world. Conversely, the article Globalization is Over: The Global Culture War has Begun speaks to the negative aspects of globalization, specifically a clash of cultures and ideas that have put people against each other. He writes about the liberal ideas of the 1990s, which claimed that the undeveloped world should modernize in a path like the West, resulting in democracy. However, there has been a rise in authoritarianism since 2006, which directly threatens these liberal ideas. Also, as globalization has infiltrated and washed out different cultures, people have become increasingly protective and nationalistic to protect their cultures and traditions. This can be seen in the rise of populist leaders. The textbook chapter 59, showed both positive and negative opinions around globalization through the eyes of Indian IT workers. Some workers are scared of globalization as they feel that the IT culture has become increasingly narrow, rather than the expected result of broader. However, many workers found globalization to be beneficial as it gave them greater opportunities and lifestyles. 

NPR, Chapter 59, Globalization is Over

 Chapter 59 talks about IT companies in India. There was always the scammer call centers that are infamous in India. It is considered to be their global work culture. The global part of these offices is the possessions, communications, styles, and skills. They promise for better efficiency and productivity. Call centers have their employees have English names to trick their "customers." The person who was a part of this corporation, finds out there are rules for these places. People wanted to have independence at this workplace and that's usually the main reason why they want to work there. People found opportunities with the high tech that it offered. IT centers in India may be skeptical but they can give off opportunities for people with the knowledge and be successful. David Brooks' article that globalization is considered to be over and there is a war with culture. A British sociologist by the name of Anthony Giddens claims that globalization is a shift in our very world. Globalization consists of culture, ideas, products, and worldviews. It's assumed that nations would admire Western democracy success. The world economy has been gradually decreased for years. Human behavior have made a force into deep economics and political self interest. There's a note that 44% percent of Americans high school students are depressed, which that number may be higher today. On page 5, it mentions that people are driven for order and there is nothing but anarchy and chaos. The Cold War changed how the world runs and how people act. NPR talks about the globalization of music. BTS made fame in the US in 2018. Other foreign groups make the stage in the United States as well. Internationalization supports BTS. Pop music consists of music from other regions in the world. Other groups get so popular that US charts can't ignore it. Music videos help with the fame. Korea has made an impact towards Western culture. Streaming that has helped with artists' fame. Lyric translations helps with connections to viewers. It's cheap for artists to produce music. Cultural appreciation is important with the music industry. There can be some controversy with what the artist does with a certain culture and lyrics in their songs. 

Blog 11

     The dialogue surrounding globalization's influence on diverse facets of society is a complex tapestry, rife with divergent viewpoints and nuanced analyses, as illuminated by the contrasting perspectives encapsulated within the sources you've referenced. Within the article "The 2010s: The Globalization of Music," the narrative accentuates the beneficial outcomes of globalization on the music industry. It celebrates instances such as the transcultural success of KPop sensation BTS in penetrating the American market, alongside Rihanna's incorporation of her native culture and language in hits like "Work," which serve to expose Western audiences to diverse cultural narratives and experiences. The podcast you mention echoes these sentiments, extolling the virtues of globalization in disseminating a plethora of musical genres and languages to a global audience, effectively eroding traditional genre boundaries.

    Conversely, "Globalization is Over: The Global Culture War has Begun" delves into the darker facets of globalization, highlighting the emergence of a clash of cultures and ideologies that foster societal division. The article underscores the erosion of traditional cultural identities in the face of globalization, leading to a surge in nationalistic fervor and the rise of populist leaders who champion protectionist agendas. It critiques the liberal ideal of Western modernization as a one-size-fits-all model, citing the resurgence of authoritarian regimes as evidence of globalization's destabilizing effects on global governance and cultural heritage. In the scholarly discourse represented by textbook chapter 59, we witness a microcosm of these divergent perspectives through the lens of Indian IT workers. While some express apprehension about the perceived homogenization of IT culture under globalization's sway, others laud the opportunities and enhanced lifestyles it affords them.