Avengers: The Story of Globalization (episode 1)

Summary

The video script explores the impact of globalization through the lens of 'Infinity War,' a film that exemplifies global production and consumption. It discusses the evolution of globalization from localized trade to a world where information and goods are globally accessible. Experts Ian Bremmer and Tyler Cowen provide insights, highlighting how Hollywood's international revenue surpasses domestic earnings, emphasizing the need for cultural sensitivity in global markets. The script also delves into the future of jobs in the context of advancing globalization and automation, promising further exploration in upcoming videos.

Takeaways

• 🎬 'Infinity War' was a truly global production with contributions from people and ideas all over the world.
• 🌐 The film's international revenue was more than double that of its domestic earnings, highlighting the importance of global markets for Hollywood.
• 🌟 The movie's success underscores how people worldwide can come together around a shared cultural phenomenon, even something as 'silly' as a superhero film.
• 🚀 Globalization has transformed the movie industry, allowing for international collaborations, diverse fan bases, and niche content creation.
• 🌍 The film industry's reliance on global markets reflects broader economic trends, where international trade and cultural exchange are increasingly significant.
• 📈 Globalization has evolved through four distinct levels, from local village life to a future potentially marked by virtual presence and remote work.
• 🚢 Globalization 1.0 was characterized by expensive and slow transportation, limiting trade to luxury goods and raw materials.
• 🚂 Globalization 2.0 was ushered in by improvements in transportation technology, leading to an explosion of world trade and the industrial revolution.
• 💻 Globalization 3.0 is marked by the information revolution, with rapid communication enabling global supply chains and the production of goods across the world.
• 🔮 Globalization 4.0 may bring a virtual presence revolution, where technology allows for remote work and services on a global scale.

Q & A

What is the significance of 'Infinity War' in the context of globalization?

The significance of 'Infinity War' in the context of globalization is that it exemplifies a truly global production and consumption phenomenon. The movie's production involved people and ideas from all over the world, and its release was eagerly anticipated globally, reflecting the interconnectedness and shared interests in today's globalized world.

How did the release of 'Infinity War' set records globally?

'Infinity War' set records globally by achieving the largest opening weekend of any movie in history and being the fastest to reach a billion dollars in revenue, highlighting the power of international markets in the film industry.

What does Tyler Cowen's preference for Godzilla over comic book movies reveal about his views on cinema?

Tyler Cowen's preference for Godzilla over comic book movies suggests that he values dialogue and drama in cinema, and appreciates symbols and narratives that have deeper cultural or historical significance, such as Godzilla representing nuclear weapons and Japan's post-war fears.

How did the international revenue of 'Infinity War' compare to its domestic revenue?

The international revenue of 'Infinity War' more than doubled the revenue from the U.S. and Canada, indicating the growing importance of international markets for Hollywood movies.

What is the impact of globalization on the movie-making industry as discussed in the script?

Globalization has transformed movie-making by enabling collaborations across borders, building international fan bases, and allowing for the creation of niche content. It has also led to the development of global supply chains for film production and increased the need for cultural sensitivity in movie content.

What is the example given in the script to illustrate the importance of cultural adaptation in global movie markets?

The script provides the example of Pixar creating an alternate version of 'Inside Out' that replaced broccoli with green peppers to cater to Japanese children's preferences, illustrating the importance of cultural adaptation in global markets.

How has globalization affected the concept of 'made in' labels for products?

Globalization has complicated the concept of 'made in' labels as products are now part of global supply chains with components made across the world. The example of the Honda Ridgeline being more 'American made' than certain American trucks by 2018 illustrates this complexity.

What are the four levels of globalization described in the script?

The four levels of globalization described in the script are: Globalization 1.0 (life in a village with limited trade), Globalization 2.0 (world trade with the advent of better transportation), Globalization 3.0 (information revolution with fast communication), and the potential Globalization 4.0 (virtual presence revolution with remote operations and services).

How did the development of transportation technologies contribute to Globalization 2.0?

The development of transportation technologies like steamships, railroads, cars, trucks, airplanes, and container ships contributed to Globalization 2.0 by making the movement of goods cheap and fast, leading to the explosion of world trade in the 1800s.

What is the potential impact of Globalization 4.0 on jobs and the economy as hinted in the script?

Globalization 4.0, with its focus on virtual presence and remote operations enabled by advancements in technology, could lead to significant changes in job markets and the economy. It may create new opportunities for remote work and services but also raise questions about job security and the need for new skills.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 'Infinity War': A Reflection of Globalization

The first paragraph introduces the movie 'Infinity War' as a lens to explore the concept of globalization. It discusses the film's global production and reception, highlighting its worldwide anticipation and record-breaking opening. The paragraph emphasizes the movie's international revenue, which was more than double the domestic earnings, indicating the growing importance of global markets for Hollywood. Experts Ian Bremmer and Tyler Cowen provide insights into the film's significance as a global production and the broader implications for the global economy.

05:00

🚢 Globalization 2.0: The Expansion of World Trade

The second paragraph delves into the historical progression of globalization, focusing on Globalization 2.0. It describes the development of efficient transportation and its impact on global trade, allowing for the consumption of goods from around the world. The paragraph illustrates this with the example of milk production in New York City, explaining how advancements in transportation and infrastructure enabled the city to become a cultural and financial hub. It also touches on the Industrial Revolution and the benefits of trade for businesses and consumers, leading to improved living standards.

10:02

🌐 Globalization 3.0: The Information Revolution

The third paragraph continues the narrative of globalization by discussing Globalization 3.0, characterized by the information revolution. It explains how advancements in communication technology, such as personal computers and the internet, have facilitated the global coordination of production. The paragraph uses the iPhone as an example to illustrate the concept of global supply chains, involving hundreds of companies worldwide. It also raises questions about the meaning of 'made in' labels in a global economy and the rapid spread of products and ideas facilitated by modern communication networks.

Keywords

💡Globalization

Globalization refers to the increasing global interconnectedness through the exchange of goods, services, information, and culture. In the video, it is discussed as a transformative force that has reshaped the economy and society, with examples such as the global production of 'Infinity War' and the international success of the film, highlighting the film's appeal across different cultures and its significant revenue from international markets.

💡Automation

Automation is the use of technology to perform tasks that would otherwise be done by humans. The video touches upon automation as a key factor in the evolution of globalization, suggesting that it will play a significant role in the future of jobs and the economy. It implies that as technology advances, more tasks will be automated, potentially changing the nature of work and the job market.

💡Infinity War

Infinity War is a movie that serves as a central example in the video to illustrate the concept of globalization. It was a global production with a diverse cast and crew, and its release was anticipated worldwide, reflecting the film's international appeal and the global reach of the entertainment industry.

💡Global Supply Chain

A global supply chain is a network of organizations, people, activities, information, and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer. The video uses the iPhone as an example, explaining how over 200 companies from around the world contribute to its production, demonstrating how globalization has enabled the distribution of manufacturing processes across different countries.

💡Cultural Translation

Cultural translation in the context of the video refers to the adaptation of content to suit different cultural norms and preferences. An example given is the modification of the film 'Inside Out' to replace broccoli with green peppers to cater to Japanese children's tastes, showing how filmmakers consider cultural differences in their global releases.

💡Economic Sectors

Economic sectors are parts of an economy which share the same type of business activities. The video suggests that globalization is affecting virtually every sector of the economy, not just entertainment, indicating a broad impact on how goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed.

💡International Revenue

International revenue in the video refers to the income generated from markets outside of the United States and Canada. It is highlighted that for 'Infinity War,' international revenue more than doubled that from domestic sources, emphasizing the growing importance of global markets for the entertainment industry.

💡Globalization Levels

The video outlines four levels of globalization, starting from Globalization 1.0 characterized by local trade and moving to Globalization 4.0, which is yet to be fully realized and involves virtual presence and remote operations. This framework is used to explain the historical progression and future potential of global interconnectedness.

💡Virtual Presence Revolution

The virtual presence revolution, as mentioned in the video, refers to the future level of globalization (Globalization 4.0) where technology enables virtual interactions and operations across distances. Examples include remote surgery and virtual monitoring, suggesting a future where physical presence is less of a constraint in various professional fields.

💡Economic Transformation

Economic transformation in the video is depicted through the changes in how goods are produced, traded, and consumed due to globalization. It discusses how advancements in transportation and communication technologies have led to the current state of global economic integration and the potential for further transformation with the rise of automation and AI.

Highlights

Thanos versus an entire universe of superheroes in 'Infinity War', an epic film with a shocking ending.

The film's global production and release, reflecting the interconnectedness of today's world.

230 million people watched the 'Infinity War' trailer in the first 24 hours, setting global records.

The movie's international revenue more than doubled that from the U.S. and Canada, highlighting the importance of the global market.

Hollywood filmmakers must consider global cultural differences to ensure their movies' international appeal.

Globalization has transformed movie-making, allowing for international collaborations and diverse content creation.

The evolution of globalization from local village life to a global economy is explored through four distinct levels.

Globalization 1.0 characterized by local trade and limited to luxuries for the wealthy.

Globalization 2.0 brought about by cheap and fast transportation, leading to world trade and the Industrial Revolution.

Globalization 3.0 is marked by the information revolution, with fast communication enabling global supply chains.

The iPhone exemplifies Globalization 3.0, with over 200 companies globally contributing to its production.

Globalization 4.0 is on the horizon, potentially allowing for virtual presence and remote work in various fields.

The future of jobs is uncertain with the rise of automation and artificial intelligence in the context of globalization.

Upcoming videos will delve into how globalization and automation affect future jobs and society.

Transcripts

♪ [music] ♪

- [Narrator] Thanos versus an entire universe of superheroes --

"Infinity War," an epic film with an epic budget

that had an ending that shocked audiences.

- [Man] And then I felt it here. I'm like, no no--

- [Narrator] Don't worry, no spoilers here.

What can a movie about superpowers,

Infinity Stones and a talking raccoon tell us about the real world --

a real world where we worry not

that Iron Man might be overmatched by Thanos --

but that people might be overmatched

against the forces of globalization and automation?

If we dig deeper, we'll find that "Infinity War" provides a door

to better understand just how globalized our world has become.

To help us on this journey, we've recruited two experts

on the global economy, Ian Bremmer -- political scientist,

best-selling author, and founder of Eurasia Group Foundation --

and Tyler Cowen -- economist, also best-selling author,

and professor at George Mason University.

- [Ian] I think what's fantastic about "Infinity War" is that

it was truly a global production.

Most of the production was not just done in Hollywood --

it was all over the world with people, and ideas, and actors.

Kids and adults all over the world were excited about the countdown

for the release of this film, which by the way was happening

on top of the tallest building in the world in Dubai.

- [Tyler] I don't like most comic book movies.

For me a movie is about dialogue and drama.

Godzilla is my favorite superhero.

♪ ["Avengers" theme music] ♪

- [Narrator] 230 million people watched the "Infinity War" trailer

in the first 24 hours.

The interwebs were abuzz

from seemingly every corner of the planet.

It set records across the globe and opened No. 1 in 52 countries.

- It was the largest opening weekend of any movie in history,

and it was also the fastest to get to a billion dollars

in just over a week in revenues.

It's just really staggering to think about.

- [Tyler] So he's sort of built out of radiation.

He's a giant lizard.

He saves Japan.

He represents symbolism about nuclear weapons.

- In a world, where so many things feel like we're coming apart,

this shows you how one of the most important dynamics

in the world today -- people coming together

around something that you can say is kind of silly.

It's a superhero movie.

- Forget about the other stuff -- Godzilla.

- [Narrator] In the end,

while "Infinity War" broke records domestically,

its international revenue more than doubled that

from the U.S. and Canada.

Other movies are seeing a parallel trend.

The international market is more important than ever.

- If you're a Hollywood movie maker,

it is now the case that very often more than half

of your revenue comes from other countries.

So you've got to think, what can I put in my movie

that will translate well to other cultures, other languages?

And I will tell you -- special effects, explosions,

big events on the screen -- they work really well

in a large number of different countries.

- [Narrator] Filmmakers also have to think about how their movies

will play with different cultures.

For example, in "Inside Out," the filmmakers at Pixar created

an alternate version of the film that eliminated broccoli

which American kids loathe, and Japanese kids love.

- And replaced them with green peppers,

which Japanese children find revolting.

- [Narrator] International fan bases not only mean bigger budgets,

but more variety.

Whether your niche is extreme sports, animé,

or Iranian drama, there's plenty to choose from.

- And these movies don't make most of their money

in their native countries.

They're able to survive and flourish

because there are these global markets.

- [Narrator] Globalization has transformed movie-making.

You can collaborate across borders,

build international fan bases,

and create niche content --

plus learn what veggies Japanese kids find revolting.

This isn't just in the movies.

Globalization is remaking virtually every sector

of the economy.

What do these trends mean for future jobs,

future society?

To answer that, we need to step back

and see how we got here.

We'll go through the four levels of globalization.

We'll start with Globalization 1.0.

This is life in a village.

Transportation was expensive, dangerous, and slow.

You can hop a slow sailboat that is pretty likely to sink

or take your chances on foot.

Trade was limited to luxuries for the wealthy

and essential raw materials --

think jewelry, spices, and copper.

The average person's life wasn't affected by trade.

The goods they consumed were local.

The information and ideas they consumed were local.

They came from people in their village or town.

- So before the railroad came, you know it was actually the case

that in New York City, they produced the milk

right in Manhattan, and that's where you would get your milk.

The cow would be in Manhattan.

- [Narrator] Even big monumental ideas were slow to migrate.

It took 200 years for the idea of the compass

to get from China to Europe.

[squeaky voice] Gracias!

So how do we get to the next level?

Developing cheap and fast transportation of goods.

Think better ships and navigation technology.

- [Man] Land ho!

And steam power, steamships and railroads,

cars, trucks, airplanes, and container ships.

This unlocked Globalization 2.0.

This is life with world trade.

No longer did you just consume what was local --

the goods you consumed came from all over the globe.

World trade explodes in the 1800s.

- So what happened with the spread of canals and railroads,

you ended up having the cows in upper New York state,

and the milk would be shipped in,

and that's what enabled New York City

to become so interesting, so cultural, so vibrant,

such a financial center --

basically getting the cows out of Manhattan.

- [Narrator] This trade benefitted dairy farms as well.

They scaled up and specialized,

producing higher quality milk at lower prices.

It wasn't just milk.

Growth and trade allowed businesses of all types

to leverage machinery to produce much more

than previously imagined.

We get the Industrial Revolution,

which transforms living standards around the world.

But while movement of goods was cheap,

movement of information and ideas was still too slow.

- [Man] Ridiculous!

- [Narrator] There's no computers, no internet,

and phone calls were pricey.

This means that people working together

have to be physically in the same place.

We see the rise of huge factories, like Ford in Detroit.

Back then, if you bought a Ford, it was not just made in the USA,

it was made almost entirely in one single place.

So how do we get to the next level?

We figured out cheap and fast communication --

personal computers, the internet,

GPS, email, smartphones, and cloud computing.

This unlocked Globalization 3.0.

This is life in the informatIon revolution.

Information was no longer slow.

Now you could easily consume information and ideas

from all over the globe.

This communication revolution allowed companies

to coordinate production around the world.

What used to be a big factory could now be sliced and diced

into what's called a global supply chain.

Different pieces of the production could happen

all over the planet.

Take the iPhone --

over 200 companies from across the globe

make different components.

When Apple competes with Samsung,

it's not an American product versus a Korean product,

but Apple's global supply chain

versus Samsung's global supply chain.

So what does "made in the USA" exactly mean today?

Does it surprise you that, as of 2018,

the Honda Ridgeline is more American made than the Ford F-150,

Chevy Silverado or Dodge Ram?

However, these global supply chains rapidly evolve

so by the time you watch this, it's likely to be different.

- You want to feel good about saying I'm buying something

that's made in this place, and the reality is

that we've got to get comfortable

with the idea that we have one global economy,

and that every good that you consume,

every good that you wear,

everything that we use to function on the planet

turns out to pretty much come from the planet.

- [Narrator] These communication networks also mean

that we get exposed to a wider variety of products

at faster and faster rates.

It took the internet seven years to reach 50 million users.

How long did it take Pokémon GO?

Nineteen days.

"Gangnam Style" introduced the world to K-pop

and was the first video to reach a billion views.

A Puerto Rican artist was the first to reach 5 billion.

So you might be wondering what's this last level?

We haven't unlocked Globalization 4.0 yet,

so this might seem a bit crazy, but let's take a peek

into the future to see what life will be like

in the virtual presence revolution.

An example will help explain.

If you're a surgeon, you have to be in the room

with the patient to operate, or do you?

What if a surgeon could be in New York operating remotely

on a patient in France with the use of a robot?

This has already happened.

Remote surgery is still rare, but as the technology improves,

this will become more common.

Where else might this spread?

Could a German mechanic fix a piece of machinery in Korea?

Could a security guard in India watch over a store

thousands of miles away?

Might your hologram allow you to deliver a speech

from home while not wearing pants?

It's already possible.

When you combine these forces of globalization

with the rise of automation and artificial intelligence,

what does all this mean for future jobs?

Are there winners and losers?

How might someone position themselves

to benefit from globalization?

Stay tuned. We'll tackle these questions in upcoming videos.

Next up, we'll explore how jobs are affected

by globalization and automation.

Click "Next Video" to keep learning.

♪ [music] ♪