Culture threat?

I love watching movies. And thanks to globalised world, I can now enjoy movies from around the world. Globalisation helps to break down barriers between nation states and increase the flow of information, labors, capital and goods (Rantanen 2005). The import of foreign films is an example of cultural flow brought by globalisation.

Whether we are aware or not, globalisation is changing our lifestyle, habits and values. I skyped my mum, who is also a movie lover, and we talked about the impact of globalisation.

Steffi: Can you briefly talk about how globalisation changed your watching habits?

My mum: In the old days, I watched black-and-white Cantonese old films featuring film stars like Chan Po-chu. At that time, movies were only screened in cinemas and were expensive. Later, cinemas became more popular and the import of coloured Western films offered more choices. Nowadays, I usually watch Hollywood films.

Young, Pregnant and Unmarried 1968 

(image by http://www.moviefanprincess.com/movieads3.html)

Steffi: How do you view the effect of globalisation?

My mum: I think ideas promoted in Western movies, like freedom to love, collided with our mind and thoughts. It let us to reflect on our rights to choose who we love. But at the same time, this clashed with our traditional Chinese belief that children should obey their parents of whom they arranged for their marriage. This posed a challenge to preserve our culture.

It is true that globalisation bring threat to core value of traditional culture (Srivastava, Warren & Moore 2013). There is also the fear of American imperialism, the hidden ideas in films which we are unconsciously receiving. But like Chinese culture which have over 5000 years of civilisation, with Confucian belief that deeply influence people, it is unlikely that one culture will easily be shaken. And looking from another angle, nations can actually benefit from increasing cultural exchange brought by globalsiation. One can adopt the strength of others’ culture and incorporated that into its own, make improvements and become a better nation. Like abandoning conservative beliefs. It is just important to find the balance between adapting others’ culture and preserving own culture. 

References

Rantanen, T 2005, 'Theorizing media globalization', The media and globalization, Sage, London

Srivastava, S, Warren, B, & Moore, C 2013, ‘The Flows and Scapes of Globalisation’, retrieved 19 July 2013, DeakinCloud

Hi everyone:)

My name is Steffi. I'm studying Media and Communication, majoring in journalism. This blog is open for ALC215. I will share my thoughts on globalisation. Hope you all enjoy reading.