10 A-3 Media

Summary

This video delves into how global trade and media shape our identities. It discusses the impact of fast fashion on labor conditions and explores how the accessibility of global goods affects cultural identity. The script also highlights the role of media in promoting diversity and tolerance, while also raising concerns about the universalization of Western culture and the digital divide. It questions whether media encourages a global village or erodes cultural diversity, and it touches on the potential loss of traditional cultures due to the spread of technology.

Takeaways

• 👔 Global trade influences our identity through the clothes we wear, which are often shaped by fast fashion trends and media.
• 🌐 Outsourcing of clothing production to countries with different labor laws can have significant impacts on the workers' lives.
• 🏠 The ease of finding global products locally diminishes the significance of souvenirs and the cultural experience of traveling.
• 📺 The media plays a crucial role in shaping our identity by providing information and promoting the sharing of ideas.
• 🌏 Media convergence allows for the blending of cultures and the creation of hybrid cultural expressions through various technologies.
• 🌐 The universalization of pop culture, often led by Western media, can overshadow diverse cultural representations.
• 🔍 The concentration of media outlets can limit the diversity of perspectives and information we are exposed to.
• 🌱 Media can both encourage and challenge diversity, as it can promote tolerance and understanding but also lead to cultural homogenization.
• 📈 The digital divide is a concern as it highlights the unequal access to technology and its influence on identity and culture.
• 🏡 The spread of technology and media can lead to the loss of traditional cultural practices and ways of life.

Q & A

How does global trade influence our individual and collective identities?

Global trade influences our identities by impacting what we wear and how we express ourselves. It also affects our perceptions through the availability of goods from different cultures in local markets.

What is fast fashion and how does it relate to global trade?

Fast fashion refers to the quick production of outfits that follow current trends. It is related to global trade as these clothes are often outsourced to factories in countries with different labor laws to produce cheaply and quickly.

How does the media affect our identity?

The media, including TV, newspapers, and the internet, has a significant impact on our identity by shaping our understanding of events and the world around us. It can also promote or limit diversity and tolerance.

What is the role of souvenirs in expressing identity?

Souvenirs used to be a significant way to express the identity of having traveled to a particular place. However, with global trade, these items are now more commonly available locally, reducing their unique identity value.

How does the sharing of ideas through media contribute to globalization?

The sharing of ideas through media contributes to globalization by allowing for the rapid dissemination of information and cultural exchange across borders, fostering a sense of global community.

What is ambivalence towards media and how does it relate to identity?

Ambivalence towards media refers to the mixed feelings of both positive and negative impacts it has on our identity. Media can promote diversity and tolerance but also oversimplify issues, potentially dividing people.

How has the media's portrayal of diversity changed over time?

The media has evolved to become more inclusive, with earlier controversial portrayals of interracial couples and later, more progressive depictions of diverse families and openly gay characters.

What is the impact of global media on local cultures?

Global media can introduce new ideas and information to local cultures, potentially leading to changes in identity and lifestyle. It can also create a desire for material goods and Western lifestyles.

What is meant by the 'universalization' or 'Americanization' of pop culture?

The 'universalization' or 'Americanization' of pop culture refers to the global spread of predominantly U.S.-originated cultural products, which can lead to a perceived homogenization of global culture.

How does media convergence affect the diversity of ideas and cultures?

Media convergence allows for the use of various technologies to share messages, which can lead to a hybridization of cultures and the creation of new cultural forms, as well as increased access to diverse perspectives.

What is the digital divide and how does it impact identity?

The digital divide refers to the unequal access to technology, which can impact identity by creating disparities in the ability to access information and participate in global cultural exchanges.

How might the spread of technology affect traditional cultures?

The spread of technology can lead to a loss of traditional cultural practices as people become more engaged with media and less involved in local customs and communication methods.

Outlines

00:00

👔 Global Trade and Identity

This paragraph discusses how global trade influences our individual and collective identities, particularly through the example of clothing. It highlights the concept of 'fast fashion' and its reliance on outsourcing production to countries with different labor laws, which can impact workers' lives. The paragraph also touches on how global trade has made it easier to access goods from around the world, diminishing the significance of souvenirs and local uniqueness. The media's role in shaping our identity through the rapid dissemination of ideas is also mentioned, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of media's impact in future discussions.

05:02

🌐 Media's Impact on Cultural Identity

The second paragraph delves into the media's influence on culture and identity. It contrasts the past, where people had limited TV channel options and thus shared common experiences, with the present, where online streaming allows for more personalized and diverse viewing habits. This shift has both connected us to a 'global village' and disconnected us from local communities. The paragraph also addresses the media's role in promoting diversity and tolerance, using examples like Sesame Street and historical TV representations. It raises concerns about the potential negative impacts of media, such as the 'universalization' of Western culture and the concentration of media ownership, which can limit the diversity of perspectives. The concept of 'media convergence' is introduced as a positive aspect, allowing for the sharing of ideas across various technologies. The paragraph concludes by considering the 'digital divide' and the challenges it poses to cultural identity and participation in local cultures.

Keywords

💡Global Trade

Global trade refers to the exchange of goods and services across international borders. In the context of the video, it is a significant factor impacting individual and collective identities. The video discusses how global trade influences what people wear, as clothing styles are often a reflection of one's identity. Global trade also affects the availability of goods, such as souvenirs, which can now be found locally rather than only in their country of origin, thus changing the cultural significance of these items.

💡Identity

Identity in the video is explored as the way individuals perceive themselves and how they are perceived by others. It is shaped by various factors, including global trade and media. The video uses clothing as an example, where the styles people choose to wear are an expression of their identity. The video also touches on how global trade can homogenize cultural identities through the spread of fast fashion and the availability of globally sourced goods.

💡Fast Fashion

Fast fashion is a term used to describe the rapid production and consumption of clothing that follows current fashion trends. The video explains that popular clothing chains capitalize on this by producing outfits quickly and cheaply, often by outsourcing to factories in countries with less stringent labor laws. This practice has ethical implications, as it can lead to poor working conditions for those producing the garments, and it also contributes to the disposability of clothing and environmental concerns.

💡Outsourcing

Outsourcing is the practice of contracting out a company's processes or services to an external provider. In the video, it is mentioned as a strategy used by clothing companies to produce goods more quickly and cheaply. This often involves moving production to countries with lower labor costs and less regulation, which can have significant impacts on the lives of workers in those factories, as well as on the environment.

💡Media

Media, as discussed in the video, encompasses television, newspapers, and the internet, and plays a crucial role in shaping our identities by influencing our perceptions and understanding of the world. The video highlights how media can both unify and divide society, as it can share diverse perspectives but also oversimplify complex issues. Media is also a tool for promoting tolerance and diversity, as seen with the evolution of representation in TV shows and movies.

💡Sesame Street

Sesame Street is an American children's television series known for its educational content and diverse characters. The video uses it as an example of media that promotes understanding and tolerance by featuring characters of different colors and backgrounds from the start. It also notes how Sesame Street has been adapted to various cultures around the world, celebrating both local and global ideas.

💡Digital Divide

The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have ready access to computers and the internet, and those who do not. The video points out that this divide can affect people's identities, as access to technology and information can shape cultural understanding and participation. It also suggests that those in the West, with greater access to technology, may not fully appreciate the advantages they have over others who lack such access.

💡Universalization of Culture

Universalization of culture is the process by which cultural elements, often from dominant or Western cultures, become widespread and influential globally. The video discusses how media, particularly pop culture, can lead to a homogenization of cultural expressions, potentially overshadowing local cultures. It raises concerns about the loss of cultural diversity and the potential for cultural imperialism.

💡Media Convergence

Media convergence is the integration of multiple media technologies and platforms to deliver a consistent message. The video explains how this allows for a more interactive and engaging media experience, where viewers can access additional information or participate in polls. It also notes that media convergence has democratized content creation, enabling individuals to produce and share their own media without the need for large-scale infrastructure.

💡Cultural Homogenization

Cultural homogenization is the process by which local or distinct cultural practices are replaced by a single, dominant culture. The video discusses how global trade and media can lead to the spread of certain cultural products and practices, potentially eroding local cultures and traditions. It uses the example of how the introduction of Western media can change local values and aspirations, as seen in the case of Vanuatu's exposure to the TV show Survivor.

Highlights

Global trade influences our individual and collective identities through what we wear and buy.

Fast fashion exploits current trends, encouraging quick and cheap production, often outsourced to countries with lax labor laws.

The styles we choose are influenced by media, which plays a significant role in shaping our identity.

Global trade has made it easier to access goods from around the world, diminishing the significance of souvenirs from foreign travels.

Media, including TV, newspapers, and the internet, has an enormous impact on our identity by sharing ideas at a rapid pace.

The Newseum in Washington DC showcases how media can bring the world together through different perspectives on global events.

Media can oversimplify issues, potentially leading to division within society.

The variety of channels and online platforms has led to a decrease in communal viewing experiences, affecting community connections.

Media's role in promoting diversity and tolerance has been significant, especially in the representation of different races and sexual orientations.

Sesame Street is an example of a program that promotes understanding and tolerance from a young age.

The introduction of global media can bring information and opportunities to people who previously had limited access.

The story of William from Africa highlights how access to information can change an individual's life and identity.

The impact of media can lead to a shift in collective identity, as seen in Vanuatu after the filming of a TV show.

Media can create a universalization of culture, potentially overshadowing local cultures and promoting a Western-centric view.

The concentration of media outlets in the hands of a few can limit the diversity of perspectives and information we receive.

Media convergence allows for the sharing of messages across various technologies, increasing global connectivity.

Media can create hybridization of cultures, blending elements from different traditions and regions.

The digital divide is a concern, as not all people have equal access to technology, which can impact their identity and opportunities.

Anthropologists warn that an over-reliance on media and technology can lead to the loss of traditional cultural practices and values.

Transcripts

in the previous video we introduced the

ways in which our identity can be

impacted by very

factors global trade is a major

influence on our individual and

collective identities what we wear is an

expression of ourselves what do I mean

well would you be comfortable wearing

these clothes some people would say yeah

that looks so relaxed and comfy but

others will say has just really not my

style the styles we choose to wear and

therefore express our identity are often

influenced by the media but it's more

than that really popular clothing chains

have what we call fast fashion outfits

that take advantage of current trends

and then advertise convincing us we need

to buy it but that means it must be made

quickly and cheaply and the best way to

do that is to outsource the clothing to

factories and countries that don't have

the same labor laws we do this can have

a serious impact on the lives of people

working in these factories we're going

to look at the pros and cons of

outsourcing in a future video here's

another example of how global trade can

impact identity it used to be a really

big deal to travel to another country

and people would bring home souvenirs

from their trip but that puka-shell

necklace that used to only come from a

tropical location can be found at the

local mall I'll even admit it when I

went to China I didn't buy that many

souvenirs because I knew I could get

many of the trinkets I saw in China at

the markets in our local Chinatown when

I got home without having to worry about

packing it up in my luggage there's many

more aspects of global trade in our

identity that we'll focus on in a future

unit globalization isn't just the trade

of goods it's also the trade of ideas

and the media is promoting the sharing

of ideas at a lightning-fast speed Media

which includes TV newspapers in the

internet has an enormous impact on our

identity media is such an essential part

of our lives how else do we learn about

what's happening in our area or around

the world it's through media whether it

be the news or viral videos and that

information can change the world there's

a really cool Museum in Washington DC DC

called the Newseum ok maybe it's only a

really cool museum through a social

studies teacher but one of the displays

in this museum is a wall of all of the

front pages of the newspaper on

September 11th 2001 every country in the

world covered the attacks on that day

and there were different perspectives on

what had happened so the point here is

that media can bring the world together

but it can also oversimplify issues that

could eventually pull us apart in our

society there's a television in most

homes in your parents generation

everyone had a much smaller selection of

channels to watch

you must watch the same show and then

we'd discuss it the next day at school

or at work which unified us today many

people watch shows online or binge watch

their favorite program at their

convenience which means we have less in

common with other people in our

community but the access to programming

from around the world is linking us to

the global village so in a strange way

we're less connected to the people we

physically interact with but more

connected to the people we may never

meet there is real ambivalence towards

the media and our identity what's

ambivalence it's when you feel like

something's both good and bad media can

play a great role in encouraging greater

diversity your generation is so much

more tolerant than previous generations

have your grandparents ever said

something shockingly racist but they

don't think there's anything wrong with

what they said in the 70s it was

scandalous to have an interracial couple

on TV with ground breaking could promote

successful black families in the 90s it

was groundbreaking to show openly gay

characters the media helps us to become

more tolerant it can also help us to be

more accepting of diversity here's an

example Sesame Street

there's characters of all kinds of

different colors and well quite frankly

fabric from the beginning Sesame Street

has tried to tackle difficult things

that kids may face in a way that helps

to promote understanding and tolerance

this American show has spread around the

world and incorporates the local culture

to celebrate both local and global ideas

the introduction of global or digital

media to a region can bring information

to a people who never had access to it

before allowing them to accomplish so

many amazing things I love the story of

William who grew up in a small village

in Africa and had only one book that

told him how to generate electricity but

he was able to do it later when he was

invited to visit America he went on

Google and was amazed at the amount of

information we just have at our

fingertips but when people see the

lifestyle of North Americans they can

realize what they don't have living in

less developed regions and their

individual and collective identity start

to change people in Vanuatu had their

lives changed when the TV show Survivor

came to record a season after the TV

crew crews left many people wanted

material goods they probably didn't even

know about before someone asked a local

chief who was trying to get electricity

to his village of poignant questions if

you want your children to learn how to

survive on the land as your ancestors

did or do you want them to become the

waiters and maids we're

the resorts that you build for foreign

tourists to come and provide money for

those material goods he said he'd rather

have the resorts even though those

resorts could destroy ecosystems and

increased pollution in addition to

destroying the traditional ways of life

media can also give us the impression

that everyone is or wants to be like

people in the US

we call this the universalization or po

modernization of pop culture pop culture

is what's popular and it's strongly

influenced by what we see on TV and in

movies but most movies and TV shows are

made for a u.s. audience looking beyond

TV and movies is looking at social media

when was the last time you reposted

something from Paraguay can you tell me

where Paraguay is did you know that much

of what we search online is biased to a

Western audience for example when I made

these videos in 2016 and googled happy

family the majority of pictures that

came up are of Caucasian families does

that then send a message that Chinese or

African families aren't as happy or that

they just don't have as much access to

the Internet and haven't uploaded

pictures of their happy families

statistics show that 90% of emails have

been written in English can you see how

social media is promoting the

universalization of culture whether it

intends to or not but as I stated in a

previous video governments are trying to

come overcome this with legislation laws

and the support of creation of

television stations like APTN and Omni

which can provide a different

perspective as an inquiry activity find

the latest information on the number of

social media sites that are primarily in

English or come from Western countries

can you find any trends to help you see

whether this is getting better or worse

and what's your perspective on what it

actually means to be better or worse

another concern we have with media is

the concentration of media outlets into

the hands of just a few individuals

which is going to impact what we're

exposed to when just a small number of

companies control almost all of the

major networks in the u.s. that

influences the television program the

people that these companies have the

ability to decide what we will see or

not see they control our access to

information but then again something

really cool with media is the idea of

media convergence where the media can

use a variety of technologies to share a

message for example when I watch the

news they'll often have an internet link

I can go to to access more

information or sign up for a poll to

express my opinion this can allow us to

share ideas or learn from people around

the world and because of technology it's

easier for someone to create their own

programming or information instead of

needing to have the millions of dollars

you used to need to own your own

television studio

so does Mediate encourage diversity or

destroy it well it can be both median

can create a hybridization of cultures

for example when an American artist

takes a sample from an Indian track to

make a new song or an artist in Europe

is inspired by a painting from the group

of seven in Canada that they saw when

those paintings were exhibited in Europe

I often say that I'm trying to be Zen in

my approach to life then comes from

teachings in Asia and even as we saw

earlier Sesame Street has taken an

American TV program and adapted it to

various cultures around the world

there's another issue with media the

digital divide people living in the West

may often forget that our access to

technology gives us an advantage that

others don't have

while media can influence our identity

it's also part of our everyday life who

we are

imagine taking a month without any sort

of technology well if you wouldn't have

to watch the class videos to think about

what else you'd miss or imagine if

almost everything on the internet was in

Chinese how would that change your use

of social media there are groups who are

taking action to change this and

technology is changing so quickly it

seems like every year there's a new way

for people around the world to connect

with each other through technology I

love the fact that communication

technology allows me to learn so much

about the world but I also have some

concerns anthropologists point out that

when people watch television they fail

to participate in and the sustain the

living cultures around them traditional

ways of communicating can seem

comparatively dull in pre-cal evasion

cultures the transmission of cultural

understanding involves cultivating a

slow and subtle appreciation of life

there's a distinct risk that generations

drawn to the television screen will lose

a critical aspect of their cultures and

the more we spread technology around the

world the more we create this concern