How does technology encourage the development of a worldwide culture?

Question

Do you think the impact of western lifestyles on other countries could be considered as a sort of western imperialism? Consider advantages and disadvantages of a global culture. What would be gained? What would be lost? What responsibilities does mankind have in relation to this global perspective?

Answer 1

It allows people to get together and connect in ways unheard of before.

Answer 2

Overall, all the different social critiques had a belief in the power of the organized working class to take power over technology away from the industrial capitalists. In the United States, this cultural critique had a different perspective than similar critiques in Europe. In the United States, technology was evaluated almost entirely in positive terms. Leo Marx (1964) attributes this phenomena to the American experience which he states was a more assimilating one than Europe. The machine in the United States was incorporated into a dominant pastoral ideal that was, in some sense, more all-encompassing than similar ideals in Europe.

"When Morris wanted the machine to be adapted to its environment--and thus made more congenial to a small community--Bellany saw the machine developing largely on its own terms, creating a managed city and a managed garden" (Baark and Jamison, 1986, p. 29).

This phase of cultural critique was superseded by the imperialist expansion of the 1890s to early 20th century when the working classes benefited from the exploitation of the foreign colonies and the new technological products (like the bicycle, car, washing machine, etc). As mass production developed some of its techniques and products, this social critique of technology faded.

The next phase of criticism developed after World War I when there was a reactionist response to the technology of war. Gandhi, in 1908, had already written a critique of Western civilization that blamed technology for much of what he called the disease of civilization. According to him, it was the very speed and power of Western society that was at the root of its problem--these were all a sign of its moral decay. "The tendency of the Indian civilization is to elevate the moral being, that of western civilization is to propagate immorality" ( Gandhi, 1908). Gandhi popularized the possibility of another civilization--a non-Western, non-technological civilization. In this third phase of cultural criticism, technology was being criticized from outside its original cultural context (the West). However, in the last twenty years, this criticism has proven inadequate. According to Baark and Jamison (1986), it is not enough to criticize the technological civilization and try to humanize the machine. This approach has proven to be inadequate in resolving issues brought about by technologies that can devastate the planet (nuclear) or dramatically change human life.

Read on at the referenced website.

Answer 3

I definitely would not call it "western imperialism", as we do NOT force our life style on anyone (with the exception of forcing American Indians to adopt our life style).
Also, I rather doubt if I would call it "culture"; really, it is more like "chaos" in culture.
What is gained? Sameness. That's what governments want.
What is lost? Identity, culture, language, FREEDOMS.
Responsibilities? To remember the past, the various cultures, languages, skills, and FREEDOMS and humanity.
Let's face it: Hitler could not have gassed 6 MILLION Jews, 500 years ago!

Answer 4

This sounds like Homework you meant to offer your opinion. technologies is popping human beings into Dweebs, we no longer could desire to think of for ourselves. Math is done with a Calculator. Heck, pupils get Homework completed on the Inet, Hee! Hee! ;-) substitute is given on the shop as to what the sign in tells to offer. There even a pen now that use one in each and every of those paper to coach a man or woman by using Math (See hyperlink below). Heck, we even have spell "cheaker" even even with the incontrovertible fact that we've lost the psychological means to apply it.

Answer 5

we have a common enemy and friend.