Cultural homogenization and the Internet Research Paper

Cultural homogenization and the Internet - Research Paper Example Since internet enables people of various cultural backgrounds to intermingle easily across the globe, it tends to form one uniform culture. Over a period of time, â€Å"popular cultural artifacts supersede the individual cultures, unpopular artifacts disappear, and the cultures resemble each other more† (par.3). Globalization, social media and internet can be perceived as the main reasons for cultural homogenization. By and large, the internet has a vast amount of information of anything, which a person can access from anywhere in the world. For e.g. A Mexican recipe is easily available to an Indian and vice versa. Cultural homogenization is unstoppable in this internet age. ICT gives a â€Å"powerful impetus to this cultural homogenization† (Fairweather & Rogerson 1). Globalization grows in a very fast pace and so does the business, economy and the internet. Since people across all nations have access to the internet, at very cheap rates, they will indulge more frequen tly in activities such as social networking etc the resulting interaction will facilitate a blending of different cultures. Thus, a new global culture will evolve to replace smaller, individual cultures. ... Exclusive insight about various cultures can be easily explored and shared via internet. Before the internet age, it was difficult to obtain information about other cultures unless through books or visiting that particular country. Cultural homogenization makes it possible for a person of one culture to like something of another culture and start to follow it. Cultural homogenization will continuously grow as the content about the cultures grows on the internet. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and blogging sites make it easy to discuss, share and communicate among people of diverse cultures. Internet usage is dominant in both developed and developing countries. This serves as a way to spread cultural ideals. Since English is the universal language of the internet, information is easily comprehended by many cross cultural people. The use of internet by a large number of people has facilitated frequent interaction and the resultant cultural exchange. The Internet could be a â€Å"harbinger † to the ideals of â€Å"democracy and human rights† in places â€Å"where these ideals are not appreciated by the authorities† (Hongladarom 1998). Internet promotes cultural understanding by â€Å"enabling people† from different â€Å"cultural background and identities under conditions that are conducive to cultural exchange† (Brey 4). Besides, the internet also promotes â€Å"cultural fragmentation† by â€Å"stimulating the formation of virtual communities and groups organized around† specific â€Å"interests, themes or cultural identities† (6). Cultural homogenization is widely considered as a way to improve rather than deter independence, preservation of culture, and general economic conditions. Common culture paves