Global Flows and Scapes, it's just one big Globalisation party!

If you're studying media and communication you have probably heard the term globalisation over and over again. Well for me it pops up almost every second sentence! It can be quite a confusing term for some, especially because it can't be narrowed down to a single definition. I guess a positive for having multiple definitions is that everyone both young and old have the opportunity to relate to it. You will find that most definitions differ by which context they are referring to or they period of time it derives from. 

So what exactly is globalisation? 

Thompson (cited in Rantanen 2005, p. 7) refers to globalisation as 'the growing interconnectedness of different parts of the world, a process which gives rise to complex forms of interaction and interdependency.'

The underlying basis of this definition utilises media and communication which is perfect for this unit of study.  In terms of globalisation, communications and interaction between individuals flourish in a variety of forms and in todays modern society technology and the media certainly play a significant role. 

http://socialmediainbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Social-Media-in-Business-Social-Media-Applications-Guide.jpg


Now to move onto global flows, the movements or actions of globalisation. Whilst conducting an interview with both my sister and cousin, well more of a discussion, we touched on how physical, cultural and informational flows have impacted their lives. Due to both their travelling experiences, my sister spending months travelling Europe and my cousin living and working in London for two years, it was hard not to discuss more than one flow. I mean one flow just flowed onto the next (no pun intended). 

They both engaged in physical flows by travelling overseas both for holidays and business. Same can be said for cultural flows as my cousin returned to Australia with a slight english accent and had picked up some British slang overtime. Not to mention both my sister and cousin coming back as massive tea drinkers as we all know how much the english love their tea! I guess one of the main flows to focus on is information flows as it played a significant role in our communication to one another.  Fifty years ago it would have been 'rightio have a good trip, I'll see you when i come back' and now the possibilities to communicate is endless! We would often use Skype, Facebook and Viber to keep in contact. Although sometimes the reception and clarity was pretty average and my mum needed some help using the technology, it was nice to know getting in contact with someone overseas was one touch of a button away!

Until next week.....




References

Rantanen, T 2005, 'Theorising media globalisation', The media and globalisation, Sage, London, p1-18

Social media in business 2013, 'Social media applications guide', retrieved 25 July 2013, http://socialmediainbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Social-Media-in-Business-Social-Media-Applications-Guide.jpg