| Nowadays, we hear a lot about the
growing threat of globalization, accompanied by those warnings that the rich
pattern of local life is being undermined, and many dialects and traditions are
becoming extinct. But stop and think for a moment about the many positive
aspects that globalization is bringing. Read on and you are bound to feel
comforted, ready to face the global future, which is surely inevitable
now. Consider the Internet, that prime example of our shrinking world. Leaving aside the all-to-familiar worries about pornography and political extremism, even the most narrow-minded must admit that the net offers immeasurable benefits, not just in terms of education, the sector for which it was originally designed, but more importantly on a global level, the spread of news and comment. It will be increasingly difficult for politicians to maintain their regimes of misinformation, as the oppressed will not only find support and comfort, but also be able to organize themselves more effectively. MTV is another global provider that is often criticized for imposing popular culture on the unsuspecting millions around the world. Yet the viewers' judgment on MTV is undoubtedly positive; it is regarded as indispensable by most of the global teenage generation who watch it, a vital part of growing up. And in the final analysis, what harm can a few songs and videos cause? Is the world dominance of brands like Nike and Coca-cola so bad for us, when all is said and done? Sportswear and soft drinks are harmless products when compared to the many other things that have been globally available for a longer period of time--heroin and cocaine, for example. In any case, just because Nike shoes and Coke cans are for sale, it doesn't mean you have to buy them--even globalization cannot deprive the individual of his free will. Critics of globalization can stop issuing their doom and gloom statements. Life goes on, and has more to offer for many citizens' of the world than it did for their parents' generation. |