how have computers and the information age lead to the development of global cultures?

Question

how have computers and the information age lead to the development of global cultures?

Answer 1

That's a super question, and I've thought a lot along those lines.

I don't think we have an internet driven global culture at this point, but I do believe we're heading in that direction. Certainly our seperate cultures are becoming increasingly cognizant and understanding of each-other. And in many ways, it's a wonderful thing.

The internet is shrinking the world at an amazing rate. So many of our misconceptions about other societies and cultures are being extinguished and replaced with a real awareness of the conditions, ambitions, beliefs and challenges that exist outside our borders. We're being exposed, as never before, to the broad spectrum of humanity... and we're connecting psychologically, emotionally and experiencially with people and societies that have been largely a mystery to us until now.

Government propoganda that once relied on our ignorance of other peoples, other ways of life, is losing it's impact on us. Until now governments have been successful in exploiting our fears and our ignorance, but it's less and less an 'us vs them' world. 'Them', thanks to the internet... feel more and more like 'us'.

And in some ways it's the "Tower of Babel" effect. When enough people have easy access to one another and to a growing stream of information touching on every subject imaginable... the effect is accelerated growth, accelerated learning... accelerated understanding.

How long before we become a true global community and exactly how that will play out... exactly how our various societies will change and evolve... coalesce... I don't know. But it's sure going to be interesting to watch it unfold!