Seongbae's questions for week 6

1. Zygmuny Bauman

I also believe Bauman has negative view toward globalization. Of course there are certain confusion and conflict associated with cultural collision, but in a long term I believe globalization leads world into a better place. The main reason, I think, is probably the massive competitions globalization creates. And this extensive competition often leads faster technology development. At the same time, however, I still think perseverance of a country’s own culture is important. Localizing products from different country sometimes solve this. What could be efficient methods to accept globalized product and preserve the country’s own culture? Is extensive censorship necessary to control this?

2. Roland Barthes

Once myth has been settled or perceived, what is the best way to change the existing myth? I believe the process takes much time since most myths are formulated over extensive period of time. Are there any ways to dispel myth in a short period?

3. Marshall McLuhan
On page 107 he says, “The essence of automation technology is the opposite. It is integral and decentralist in depth, just as the machine was fragmentary, centralist, and superficial in its patterning of human relationships.” Do you guys agree with this statement? I am bit confused because automation technology seems still centralist to me. Maybe I got these centralized and decentralized concepts wrong. But don’t machines still need centralized control such as maybe human supervisor to function efficiently?

4. Dorfman & Mattelart

The article inspired me to think of the cross-cultural differences. Most of Disney movies are imported around the world. Conflict can be spawned because of this. Not a lot of countries share similar culture as American culture. However, most countries still import Disney movies. So if children see some of American culture from specific cartoons that conflict with their own cultures, how is this going to affect children? Will they simply ignore it? Or will they be adapting to new culture just based on what they saw on TV?

5. Marshall McLuhan
ON page 108, he says “the medium is the message” because it is the medium that shapes and controls the scale and from of human association and action. The content or uses of such media are as diverse as they are ineffectual in shaping the form of human association. Indeed, it is only too typical that the content of any medium blinds us to the character of the medium.” I couldn’t agree with this more. I also think that we tend to underestimate how much message media itself can represent. For example, CNN and FOX have certain point of view they want to convey. Coverage on Iraq war is different from channel to channel and country to another country because media has certain agenda or message they want to deliver. So is this ethical that media (especially news channels) has certain standpoint? Or should they try to always be balanced politically?
This question is probably a cliche for journalism stduents, but it still is one of the many questions I keep thinking as I study journalism. What do you think?