Disney is Cooler than Plato
Globalization is great. I can sample foods from cultures all around the world, right in my local mall. This article from The Christian Science Monitor argues that globalization means America is forcing its values on the outside world. We exporting democracy, equality for women, and gospel of capitalist economics... what could be wrong with that?
In 2,000 years, will the world remember Disney or Plato? | csmonitor.comIf it took two millenniums for Plato's "Republic" to reach North America, the latest hit from Justin Timberlake can be found in Greek (and Japanese) stores within days. Sometimes, US ideals get transmitted - such as individual rights, freedom of speech, and respect for women - and local cultures are enriched. At other times, materialism or worse becomes the message and local traditions get crushed.
The article refers to the monopolizing effect of American megaconglomerates, and names "AOL-TimeWarner." The company actually dropped AOL from its name months ago, but it's still a media conglomerate that controls much of the culture that youths mistakenly feel is "theirs". See "The Merchants of Cool", which will be particularly relevant to my American Lit class's reading of Gibson's Pattern Recognition later in the term.
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you right about the reason platos lit. took a lot longer to get across the ocean. However that precisely is also why American cultural imperialism is so powerful. Because of the internet and our advanced transportation we can transport our culture a lot faster than any other empire could.
Besides, emoticons may offend me, but they don't appear to bother you...so what would I gain by using one in that context?
Ah, but after reading my post about emoticons, can you really take my use of one at face value? And in answer to your question, I actually thought this was one of my least offensive posts. Even though some of my entries may seem a bit over the top, I wouldn't be silly enough to offend a professor who has power over my grades. You introduced me to blogging, and for that I'm eternally grateful. Besides, would I ever write anything offensive? 0:-)
Are you trying to offend me now? I note that you used a smiley!
[Thought bubble appears above my head, containing the following text: "Given the knowledge that in a recent comment on Julie's blog Paul says he thinks smileys are offensive, do I use a smiley here, and risk offending him, or do I leave it out, and risk everyone else thinking that I am trying to be offensive to Paul? Hm.... offend Paul, or make everyone in the world think that I'm offending Paul? I think I'll risk offending Paul." Thought bubble disappears.]
:)
As I figured...I really just wanted to use the wheelchair analogy. :-P
Right, Paul. The reason Plato took 2000 years is because it was brought by Western immigrants who took that long to get to North America. So the author of that quote was stretching a bit to make a point.
Just thought I'd point out the obvious for a moment: If Plato had written his works at a time when it was possible for media to catch on this fast then mabye it wouldn't take as long as "two millenium." I know you probably just put that there for dramatic effect, and even today I doubt Plato would outsell the "musical genius" that is Justin Timberlake...But at least he would have had a chance. It's not a fair race if one contender has to start 2,000 miles behind in a wheelchair with square wheels.
GREAT ARTICLE! So true. I'm so glad you're teaching this stuff in Media Aesthetics. Considering how "free" the internet is, I wonder to what degree the net plays into the McDomination of the globe. And to what degree it liberates cultures from cultural oppression.